Cecily Strong leaves 'Saturday Night Stay' in its eleventh season

The final "Saturday Night Live" show of 2022 doubled as a layoff for Cecily Strong

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who came out midway through her 11th season and as one of the longest-serving female stars.

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The show announced her departure on Twitter ahead of Saturday's broadcast, noting

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"We're sending one of the best to do it tonight. We'll play you Cecily!"

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Amid the assumption that she would be leaving before Season 48 began in the fall

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Strong stayed on. Cohorts Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney

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Melissa Villaseñor left and made room for a wave of late signings and 12 months of rebuilding.

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Sturdy started on the show in 2012 and quickly became a staple, briefly co-hosting "Weekend Update"

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