Kate McKinnon has bared her soul, revealing that she has been diagnosed with geographic tongue. In a recent sit-down with People magazine, the former Saturday Night Live star candidly opened up about this "inflammatory yet benign condition that affects the surface of the tongue," as described by the Mayo Clinic.
"I snapped a picture of my tongue and sent it off to a fellow actor buddy of mine," she recounted when questioned about the most recent snapshot she captured on her phone. "We're both dealing with the same medical quirk. It's called geographic tongue. Basically, your tongue sheds in patches, making it look like a world map, hence the fitting moniker 'geographic tongue'."
According to the Mayo Clinic, geographic tongue manifests as areas on the tongue's surface that are devoid of papillae—those tiny, pinkish-white bumps we all have. These patches tend to appear in one spot and then migrate to another part of the tongue. While the condition doesn't pose any serious health risks, it can occasionally cause discomfort or heighten sensitivity to certain foods, such as spicy dishes, salt, and sweets.
"It's pretty gross," McKinnon quipped with a laugh. "We actually brag about how 'geographic' we're feeling on any given day. Then again, maybe I shouldn't be spilling the beans in a magazine."
After gracing the SNL stage for a decade, McKinnon bid farewell to the long-running sketch comedy extravaganza in 2022, following the conclusion of its 47th season. However, she made a triumphant return as host in 2023 during season 49.
McKinnon has also made her mark in blockbuster hits like Barbie and, more recently, The Roses, where she shared the screen with the likes of Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Andy Samberg. The latter film delves into the tumultuous lives of Ivy and Theo, a dysfunctional married couple portrayed by Colman and Cumberbatch. Their seemingly idyllic existence is turned upside down when Ivy's career soars while Theo finds himself out of a job. McKinnon and Samberg step into the shoes of friends caught in the crossfire of this troubled duo's drama.
