> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theomnicosm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Ashley Padilla to ‘GQ’: ‘I don’t think I’m stupid, but I think I’m funny’
- URL: https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-cold-open-snl-ashley-padilla-gq/
- Published: 2026-10-28T23:38:46.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-28T23:38:46.000Z
- Description: The breakout star discussed her path to ‘SNL’ and how the show’s 50th season affected her first year.
- Author: Bill Kuchman
- Tags: The Cold Open • Extras, The Cold Open, SNL, Ashley Padilla, Zach Baron

After two years of almost total mystery, the curtain on **Ashley Padilla**’s path to *SNL* has been pulled back bit by bit. [The breakout *SNL* star](https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-cold-open-snl-ashley-padilla-top-sketches/) appeared on **Amy Poehler**’s *Good Hang* podcast last month, and now she’s chatted with **Zach Baron** for *GQ*’s *One More Question* podcast.

## Sign up for The Cold Open

Love reading about **Saturday Night Live*? Get ****The Open** newsletter in your inbox.

Subscribe 

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. 

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

I’m always fascinated (and vindicated) to hear *SNL* cast members talk about the challenges of navigating [the show’s 50th season](https://www.theomnicosm.com/fifty-years-of-the-best-times-of-our-lives-the-snl-family-looks-back-for-snl50-2/), and it sounds like Padilla’s freshman year on *SNL* was anything but ordinary.

“It was also very different because it’s not how the show is,” Padilla told Baron. “**Heidi Gardner** had leaned over to me. She’s like, this is not normal, that [**Dana Carvey**’s at the table](https://www.theomnicosm.com/paul-mescal-hosts-snl-but-its-still-the-dana-carvey-show/). You know what I mean? ... That **Maya Rudolph** is ... that so many alum are coming back and doing cameos So, it did feel a little more intimidating than a usual season.”

Not to be a broken record, but I told everyone this was happening.

“Yes, I was there at the 50th, but I feel like I didn’t get to actually start putting my stuff out until last year,” Padilla added.

It was also interesting to learn from this podcast that *SNL* head writer **Streeter Seidell** told Padilla that the show was planning on hiring her as a writer if her cast audition didn’t work out.

Everything you need to know about Season 52 

Check out the complete list of **SNL* Season 52 hosts, musical guests and reviews.

[We talkin’ TV? ](https://www.theomnicosm.com/who-is-hosting-snl/) 

[![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/08/the-cold-open-wordmark-1.png)](#/portal/account/plans) 

****The Cold Open is a publication of The Omnicosm.**  
Issue No. 98

****The Cold Open** is written and produced by ****Bill Kuchman**.  
Copyediting by ****Tim Kuchman**.

Get the full ****The Omnicosm** experience. Add ****Snackology** and ****Popculturology** to your subscription [****via your account settings**](https://www.theomnicosm.com/account/).

[Go to your account ](#/portal/account/plans) 

![The Omnicosm](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/08/the-omnicosm-wordmark-new-1.png)