Chappell Roan Made Fun of Viral Pygmy Hippo Moo Deng in an SNL Sketch: ‘I Need to Set Some Boundaries’

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Saturday Night Live Star Bowen Yang inspired pop singer Chappell Roan in a sketch where he played the internet’s favorite pygmy hippo, Moo Deng.

In recent weeks, the animal, which lives at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, has become a viral sensation thanks to its grumpy nature and often awkward behavior.

In popular clips, the two-month-old daughter, whose name means “jumping pork,” can be seen harassing her keepers and her mother by headbutting them. She is known to hate baths.

However, the zoo has now been forced to post warning signs in Thai, English and Chinese asking visitors not to splash water on them or throw objects to provoke the behavior they had seen online.

In the first episode of SNL’S In the groundbreaking 50th season, cast member Yang dressed up in an elaborate Moo Deng costume when he appeared on co-star Colin Jost’s “Weekend Update” segment to speak his truth.

“I’ve been traveling non-stop for ten weeks,” began the exhausted pygmy hippopotamus. “Walking around, eating salad, trying to bite the water out of a hose.”

“The response has been overwhelming,” he continued. “But it’s gotten to the point where I need to set some boundaries.”

Roan made headlines last month with her comments about seemingly “entitled” and “creepy” fans who she claimed were stalking and harassing her.

The pop singer, who rose to fame this year with hits like “Good Luck, Babe!”, “Hot to Go!” and “Pink Pony Club,” shared a series of TikToks in which she addressed her newfound success and explained to fans that it did not justify pushy behavior toward her.

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“Reminder: Women don’t owe you anything,” Yang/Moo Deng continued SNL. “When I’m in my pen, tripping over things or biting my trainer’s knee, I’m at work. This is the project. Don’t call my name or expect a photo just because I’m your parasocial best friend or because you appreciate my talent.”

“What is your talent?” asked Jost.

“Having a slippery body that bounces,” Yang/Moo Deng replied.

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He cited the famous hippos that had lived before him, including the Hungry Hungry Hippos and Jada Pinkett Smith’s character in the animated film Madagascar.

“Now I’m your favorite hippo’s favorite hippo,” he said, parodying the Google search result for roan.

Jost noted that Moo Deng’s life was very similar to Roan’s: “Do you know (her)?”

“I’m 10 weeks old Colin, of course I know Chappell Roan,” replied Moo Deng. “By the way, leave her alone. Give her as much time as she needs for her mental health…that’s what society does. It puts young women on a pedestal only to beat them down with shellfish.”

Moo Deng then announced that she would not be making an endorsement in the presidential election, another reference to Roan, who sparked backlash with her election comments last week.