Marcello Hernández Handles SNL Haters

Source: nytimes.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Marcello Hernández, a frequent "Saturday Night Live" cast member since 2022, faces backlash for his breakout character Domingo in opening sketches, dorky white guy impressions, and Spanish dialogue. The New York Times profile by Dave Itzkoff, published December 27, 2025, covers how he handles detractors on social media and in his mind while promoting his debut Netflix stand-up special "American Boy." It comes now ahead of the special's January 7 release and amid his growing prominence on the show.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/arts/television/marcello-hernandez-snl.html)

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Details and context

Hernández quit soccer at John Carroll in Ohio to pursue comedy, starting at 18 in Cleveland dive bars, open mics, and clubs like Hilarities 4th Street, where he interned.[[2]](https://www.cleveland19.com/2026/01/10/john-carroll-university-alum-snl-star-marcello-hernndez-gets-netflix-special) He graduated in 2019 with degrees in entrepreneurship and communication, then moved toward New York stages amid COVID shutdowns.

Domingo, the suave womanizer romancing Chloe Fineman's Kelsey, went viral and anchored an October 2025 SNL opener hosted by Sabrina Carpenter, marking a milestone from recurring bit to lead sketch.[[3]](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/arts/television/snl-sabrina-carpenter-trump-george-santos.html)

The special reflects his first-generation American life—Cuban-Dominican roots in Miami—with family stories, like his mom's skepticism of his ADD diagnosis.

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Why it matters

SNL breakouts like Hernández test if the show can still launch enduring stars in a fragmented media landscape. Fans and viewers get a window into thriving amid scrutiny, with his special expanding Latino voices in mainstream comedy. Watch his post-Netflix trajectory and any SNL contract shifts, though he recently said he's committed and enjoying it.