Much hullabaloo has made of Saturday Night Live‘s “diversity problem” and now the show has taken its first steps to fixing it: Sasheer Zamata has been hired as a new cast member. (Note: 1 out of 17 is still not exactly a great diversity track record.)
Zamata, a recent graduate of the University of Virginia, is fairly green, though she’s been featured on ABC’s Would You Fall For That?, Inside Amy Schumer and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Zamata has also been performing with the Upright Citizens Brigade since 2009. Deadline reports that Zamata is one of several semi-finalists who were asked to audition on the SNL stage on Dec. 16. Her first episode with be Jan. 18, when Drake pulls double duty as host and musical guest. She’ll be the first black female performer on the show since Maya Rudolph left in 2007.
In addition to her previous television experience, Sasheer maintains a strong online presence. She has more than 4,000 followers on Twitter and has been featured in several College Humor videos. Recently, a video she made in 2012 earned the Lena Dunham seal of approval. You can watch it here:
It’s great. She’s great. Good luck!
