Leslie Jones Joins Regular Cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’

Saturday Night Live has promoted actress, writer and comedienne Leslie Jones, who has already appeared on a handful of Weekend Update bits, from writer to “featured player,” Deadline is reporting.

Leslie confirmed her promotion via Twitter Monday morning.

It’s official I’m a cast member!!! Get ready! Get ready!! @nbcsnl

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) October 20, 2014

Jones was one of 12 finalists competing for an open job on Saturday Night Live last fall – a job that ultimately went to Sasheer Zamata, according to New York Daily News . Even though she didn’t get the job, SNL producer Lorne Michaels was impressed enough with her to give her a spot in the writers’ room, according to this Inquisitr report.

Prior to getting her Saturday Night Live job, Jones had been working the stand-up comedy circuit; she had her own Showtime comedy special (Problem Child ) and also had made appearances at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and the Aspen Comedy Festival, according to MSN.

Despite being a writer, and not an official cast member, on Saturday Night Live, Leslie has managed to appear in a couple of Weekend Update bits, showcasing her talents as a brash and unapologetic comedian. One particular Weekend Update bit, entitled “No. 1 Slave Draft Pick,” generated its share of controversy, according to Hitflix . Watch the video below, but be warned: it’s been called offensive by more than one source.

Jones responded to the controversy in typical Leslie Jones fashion, with a blistering series of tweets in which she told her critics that they can’t stand the idea of a strong black woman, and that she’s just going to “go even harder.”

Ok I wasn’t gonna say any thing because I know that dumb people know how to use the computer too, but now this is so ridiculous. — Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014

If anybody should be offended is white folks cause it’s what they did. Y’all so busy trying to be self righteous you miss what the joke

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014

really is. Very sad I have to defend myself to black people. Now I’m betting if Chris Rock or Dave Chappelje did that joke or — Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014

or jay z or Kanye put in a rap they would be called brilliant. Cause they all do this type of material. Just cause it came from a strong

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014

black woman who ain’t afraid to be real y’all mad. So here is my announcement black folks, you won’t stop me and Im gonna go even harder — Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014

Leslie Jones’ first appearance as a Saturday Night Live featured player will be this Saturday, October 25, with host Jim Carrey.