Chloe Fineman Reveals Elon Musk Made Her Cry on SNL Set During 2021 Hosting Stint

"Saturday Night Live" cast member Chloe Fineman recently opened up about her difficult experience working with Tesla CEO Elon Musk when he hosted the popular sketch comedy show in 2021. In a since-deleted video, Fineman shared that Musk’s behavior on set was so harsh, it brought her to tears. This revelation comes as Musk made headlines again by criticizing the show and responding to Dana Carvey’s recent impression of him.

Fineman, who has been a regular on SNL since 2019, is known for her celebrity impressions, from Nicole Kidman to Britney Spears and Jennifer Coolidge. Yet, despite her confidence on stage, she revealed that Musk’s behavior deeply affected her. This week, after Musk’s recent comments about the show, Fineman decided to share her story, hinting at the challenging time she faced back when Musk first hosted.

Musk's Discontent with "SNL" and Carvey's Impression

Musk recently took to his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to criticize SNL for what he views as a decline in humor and relevance. The conversation began after Carvey impersonated Musk during a cold open. Musk didn’t hold back in his response, writing, “SNL has been dying slowly for years, as they become increasingly out of touch with reality.” When asked by a fan how he liked Carvey’s impression, Musk responded, “Dana Carvey just sounds like Dana Carvey.”

It was these comments that inspired Fineman to respond. In her video, she addressed Musk’s apparent dislike for the show. “OK, I just saw some news article about Elon Musk being, like, butthurt about SNL,” she said, referring to his reaction to Carvey’s impression. “But I’m like, you’re clearly watching the show. Like, what are you talking about?” She went on to reveal that her experience with Musk was one of the toughest she’s ever had on set.

Fineman's Emotional Experience with Musk

Fineman explained that Musk’s behavior during his SNL episode left her feeling discouraged. According to her, he made harsh comments about the sketch she’d worked on, which led to her breaking down. “I’m the cast member that he made cry,” Fineman admitted. “He’s the host that made someone cry.”

Fineman had stayed up all night working on a sketch for Musk’s appearance, only to have him dismiss her hard work in a particularly cold manner. In her video, she described a moment on set when Musk reviewed her script, going page by page, without finding any humor. She recounted, “I came in, I asked if you had any questions, and you stared at me like you were firing me from Tesla and were like, ‘It’s not funny.’”

She waited for him to laugh or reassure her, but he didn’t. Instead, Musk kept flipping through the pages, saying, “I didn’t laugh – I didn’t laugh once. Not one time.” Although the sketch ultimately made it into the show and received positive reactions, Fineman said Musk’s lack of “manners” and his blunt reaction left a lasting impact on her.

Bowen Yang’s Take on Musk’s Behavior

Fineman’s revelation about Musk aligns with comments made by another SNL cast member, Bowen Yang, earlier this year. Yang previously shared on Watch What Happens Live! that he had witnessed a host behaving in a way that upset several cast members during rehearsals. Although he didn’t mention Musk by name, many believed he was referring to Musk when he said, “This person, this host, made multiple cast members cry on Wednesday before the table read because he hated the ideas.”

Fineman’s recent admission seems to confirm that Musk’s critical nature and blunt attitude may have contributed to an uncomfortable environment for the cast and writers during his hosting stint.

Musk’s Response to Fineman's Claims

When Musk caught wind of Fineman’s comments on X, he responded by addressing the lack of humor he initially found in the sketches. He commented, “Frankly, it was only on the Thursday before the Saturday that ANY of the sketches generated laughs. I was worried. I was like, damn, my SNL appearance is going to be so f---ing unfunny that it will make a crackhead sober!! But then it worked out in the end.”

Despite his controversial personality, Musk’s episode drew in large viewership numbers, partly due to the curiosity surrounding his appearance on the iconic comedy show. He even cracked jokes about himself, embracing his public persona as a tech billionaire and provocateur. However, for cast members like Fineman, Musk’s approach to comedy left much to be desired.

Looking Back at Musk's Time on SNL

Elon Musk’s hosting gig on SNL was a bold move that stirred a lot of excitement and controversy. Some fans were thrilled to see someone outside the entertainment industry take the stage, while others questioned his comedic abilities and how he would fit into SNL’s format. When Musk hosted, he took part in a range of skits, poking fun at himself and his tech ventures.

Although Fineman said she did enjoy working with him in the end, she couldn’t ignore the lasting impact of his behavior. Her decision to speak out serves as a reminder of how demanding SNL can be, especially when working with guest hosts who aren’t used to the high-pressure environment of live television and comedy writing.

Final Thoughts

For fans of SNL, Fineman’s story provides an inside look at the challenges cast members face when collaborating with celebrity hosts. Although Musk’s time on the show brought in high ratings, it also created some tension behind the scenes. Fineman’s experience sheds light on the pressures and vulnerabilities of performing comedy in such a high-stakes setting.

For Musk, his hosting stint may have been a unique opportunity to showcase a different side of himself. But for cast members like Chloe Fineman, the experience was an emotional rollercoaster, highlighting the tough, sometimes draining nature of the job.

As for SNL, the show continues to adapt and evolve, sometimes bringing in unconventional hosts to surprise and entertain its audience. For Chloe Fineman and others, Musk’s episode will remain a memorable, if bittersweet, chapter in the long-running show’s history.