> At a Glance
> – Chris Redd posted a Jan. 6 Instagram video confirming he dated Christina Evangeline, ex-wife of former SNL castmate Kenan Thompson
> – Redd says the relationship began while he battled pill addiction and Evangeline supported his recovery
> – The couple kept the romance “under wraps” until after Redd left SNL in Sept. 2022
> – Why it matters: Fans have speculated for years; Redd now gives his side, calling the fallout “an emotional double-edged sword”
Comedian Chris Redd has finally addressed the long-circulating rumor that he dated Christina Evangeline, the ex-wife of his former Saturday Night Live colleague Kenan Thompson, in a raw 14-minute Instagram video.
Redd’s Video Confession
“I wanted to address something that’s kind of been around for a long time, ’bout four, five years now,” Redd said, explaining he’s “leading with vulnerability” as a 2025 resolution. He admitted he saw every online comment accusing him of scheming behind Thompson’s back and insisted, “There wasn’t no plan.”
Redd, 40, described a unique, nuanced situation:
- They “were all cool” at first
- Feelings developed while Evangeline helped him face a pill problem
- He “chose love” despite feeling “terrible” about hurting Thompson
How the Relationship Unfolded
During his SNL tenure, Redd says he sold pills to castmates and had panic attacks. While “people would just talk s—,” Evangeline was “the only one to call me on my s—” and guided him into therapy. Sharing their struggles, they “fell in love,” he recalled.
Redd calls the romance “an emotional double-edged sword”:
| Emotion | Reason |
|---|---|
| Guilt | Hurt someone he respected |
| Love | Found a partner who supported recovery |
| Loss | Damaged his SNL legacy |
He and Thompson agreed to stay quiet; they worked together another year on Kenan until “everybody found out and s— changed.” Redd announced his SNL exit in Sept. 2022 and was punched outside a New York comedy club the following month, calling the attack “fair enough” karma.
Key Takeaways
- Redd says he never intended to betray Thompson; addiction and mutual support sparked the relationship
- The couple kept the romance private until after Redd left SNL
- Redd publicly apologizes to fans and to Thompson, accepting that choosing love “made me look terrible”
By speaking out, Redd hopes to replace speculation with his own narrative and underscore that “love is not sensical.”
