Leslie Jones, the American comedian known for her tenure on Saturday Night Live, has opened up about her views on religion, grief, and her late rise to fame. In an interview in west London, the 55-year-old discussed her belief in a higher power, stating, 'I definitely believe in something other than ourselves. I believe in a higher power. We're in his image. So when you see someone, you're looking at God.' She challenged right-wing interpretations of Christianity, asking, 'He made all these animals, he made all these plants – you think he didn't make gay men? A transgender man or woman?'
Jones, who was the oldest hire on Saturday Night Live, reflected on the deaths of her parents and brother. Her father died in 2000 and her mother in 2001, both within six months of each other, while her brother passed away in 2009 at age 38. She missed all three funerals because she was working to pay for them. Despite these losses, she described her mother as 'a very joyful woman' and her father as 'funny.'
The comedian also addressed her late fame, saying she is '6ft tall' and cannot 'stop being a scary motherfucker.' She embraced her persona, adding, 'This is who I am – let me work with who I am.' Jones noted that she has given up dating men, though she did not elaborate on the reasons.
Known for her role in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, which drew online abuse, Jones remains philosophical about current events. Referring to Donald Trump, she said, 'We're repeating the worst part of history right now, but maybe it's for the lesson that we didn't learn the last time.' She continues to perform and spread joy, describing herself as a 'temperature guider in the room.'
