Photo: Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Ego Nwodimsays she couldn’t believe it when the realDionne Warwickappeared before her as she impersonated the music legend during a recent sketch onSaturday Night Live.
While chatting with PEOPLE at theAmerican Museum of Natural History’s 2021 Museum Galain New York City on Thursday evening, the 33-year-old actress and comedian opened up about her reaction when Warwick, 80, appeared as herself on therecurring sketchThe Dionne Warwick Talk Showearlier this month.
“Oh my God! … I kept having to pinch myself. I couldn’t believe she was really there,” Nwodim told PEOPLE exclusively. “And then I was like, ‘That’s who I look like,’ but she’s here.”
“It was incredible and so much fun,” she added. “She’s so gracious and wonderful.”
During anSNLepisode earlier this month, which sawKieran Culkinserve as host andEd Sheeranas musical guest, Warwick stole the show when she made a surprise appearance.
“You know what? I’m tired of interviewing people who are not icons. Please welcome me,” Nwodim said at one point during the sketch, as the real Warwick joined her onstage in a sequined sweatsuit, telling her: “I’m so excited for you that I’m here.”
The dueling Dionnes were comedic gold during the brief appearance. “Well, let me ask you something. Dionne, why are you perfect?” Nwodim asked, as Warwick responded, “Darling, I’m not perfect, just very, very good.”
Will Heath/NBC
The “I Say a Little Prayer” artist later raved about her experience on the show, praising Nwodim and costar Punkie Johnson, who played Warwick’s niece and social/branding directorBrittani Warrick.
“I had fun at @nbcsnl,” Warwickwroteon Twitter. “Thank you to @eggy_boom (ME), @Punkiejohnson (as @BrittaniWarrick), and to the writers, cast, and crew. I had a wonderful time with you all.”
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Warwick has been a fan of the sketch since Nwodimfirst debuted it, along with her impersonation of Warwick, in December. Premiering on her 80th birthday, the real Warwick called it a “hilarious birthday gift” at the time.
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Nwodim also told PEOPLE that getting Warwick to appear onSNLcame about thanks in part to social media. “I think she was tweeting,” she explained, before adding with a laugh, “you know, if you tweet enough, your dreams might come true. And that’s a case of that.”
“Someone had said, ‘When are you and Ego going to do something together?’ And then she retweeted it and said, ‘I’m waiting on you,'” Nwodim added. “They made it happen.”
While Warwick has long been a music icon, she’s recently found fandom in a new generation thanks toher hilarious Twitter posts, in which she praises and calls out today’s stars likeChance The Rapper,The Weeknd,Cardi B, andTaylor Swift.
“I think people are enjoying my honesty,” Warwicktold PEOPLEin June of her newfound social media stardom. “I lay it right out for you. I don’t edit.”
source: people.com
