Former Saturday Night Live standout Chris Redd is opening up about a turbulent period during his time on the long-running sketch series, sharing candid details about substance issues, strained workplace dynamics, and a relationship that later made headlines.
In a roughly six-minute Instagram video posted on Tuesday, January 6, Redd said he’s trying to lead his life with more “vulnerability and openness,” starting with an honest account of what was happening behind the scenes while he was a cast member on SNL. He admitted he struggled with pills during that era and said the situation crossed a line when he began selling them to coworkers.
“While I was at the show, I had some pill issues… and I was even selling some to some of my castmates,” Redd said, adding with a half-joking caveat, “I’m not gonna snitch on y’all motherf**kers.”
Redd also claimed that, rather than stepping in to help, some colleagues talked about him while he was spiraling. He described experiencing panic attacks and feeling isolated at work. “It’s crazy how somebody would watch you destroy yourself,” he said, suggesting the lack of support deepened the problem.
According to Redd, the one person who consistently checked on him during that time was Christina Evangeline, who was then married to Kenan Thompson. Redd said their bond grew out of mutual honesty and emotional support, eventually becoming a romantic relationship after Thompson and Evangeline separated.
“It wasn’t a plan,” Redd said, pushing back on speculation about betrayal. He acknowledged the situation was complicated and admitted he felt conflicted, especially given his long professional relationship with Thompson.
Thompson filed for divorce in June 2022 after more than a decade of marriage.
Redd joined SNL as a featured player in 2017 and remained with the show for five seasons, becoming known for impressions like then-New York City mayor Eric Adams and for his work in digital shorts. In 2018, he shared an Emmy win for writing “Come Back, Barack,” a musical sketch centered on Barack Obama.
Since leaving the show in 2022, Redd has appeared in projects including Power Book III: Raising Kanan and Candy Cane Lane. He said his upcoming stand-up run won’t dwell on past controversies, but will instead focus on love and growth.