Bowen Yang on what makes a good 'SNL' host, his approach for managing chaos, and when it’s okay to laugh about the news.
The SNL star on what makes a good host, his approach for managing chaos, and when it’s okay to laugh about the news.photoshoot, where he’s already gamely posed with balloons and made several whirlwind costume changes. But as the next scene gets set up, an unmistakable look of fear spreads across his face. The finished image will have Yang appearing to float among the clouds, courtesy of billowing parachute fabric, some hard-working photo assistants, and the aforementioned trampoline.
Ami coat and sweater. Uniqlo tank top. Small Talk shirt and trousers. Nili Lotan belt. Camper shoes. De Beers Jewellers ring and Sydney Evan . Mejuri earring.Isabel Marant sweater. Etudes shirt. Ami tank top. Issey Miyake pants. Citizen watch. De Beers Jewellers bracelet. David Yurman & Rockford Collection ring.. “I think I’ve loosened my grip a little recently,” he explains. “I would go into each season with so many promises to myself or really concrete, maybe overly defined goals.
Yang doesn’t deny that the show is high-stakes, but he considers it a key ingredient to success. “I’m really starting to believe in this idea that inspiration and genius strike you when you’re open to it, not forcing it,” he says. “And even—I’m going to bring her up—Taylor Swift has described this thing where she’s said songwriting is this cloud that’s in front of you, and you have to catch it and get it down on paper before it goes away.