Chris Redd Reflects on His Relationship with Kenan Thompson’s Ex-Wife: A Journey of Love and Growth

Chris Redd, Christina Evangeline and Kenan Thompson.
Credit:

Chris Redd/Instagram; John Shearer/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Chris Redd discusses his relationship with Christina Evangeline, the ex-wife of his former Saturday Night Live co-star Kenan Thompson.
• In a video shared on Instagram on January 6, Redd addressed a topic many have speculated about but have not approached him directly.
• Thompson and Evangeline have two children together.

Chris Redd is taking to social media to share his perspective on dating Christina Evangeline, the ex-wife of his former Saturday Night Live colleague, Kenan Thompson.

In a detailed video posted to Instagram on January 6, the 40-year-old comedian reflected on his New Year’s resolution, emphasizing a commitment to “vulnerability and openness” in all aspects of his life.

“I’m not really one for resolutions or nothing like that, but I do have one,” Redd stated. “That I’m gonna be leading with a lot more vulnerability and openness.” He further expressed the desire to address “something that’s kind of been around for a long time, ‘bout four, five years now.”

Kenan Thompson and Christina Evangeline attend the 2017 Emmys.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Redd acknowledged the public interest surrounding his relationship with Evangeline, saying, “I know a lot of people talk about me dating Kenan Thompson’s ex-wife.” He emphasized that there “wasn’t no plan” involved in how this relationship unfolded.

Having worked alongside Thompson on SNL for five seasons, Redd stated he is aware of the comments made regarding the situation. “Every single thing that everybody said, I saw it,” he shared. “Bottom line is, I’m not that type of person to scheme on a person.” He described his feelings for Evangeline as a “very unique, nuanced thing that happened.”

Redd reflected on their relationship, saying it blossomed during a challenging period in his life. He revealed, “While I was at the show, I had some pill issues… nothing too crazy but crazy for my Black a–.” He noted that Evangeline was one of the few who genuinely supported him during that time.

Kenan Thompson as Justice Thurgood Marshall & Chris Redd as Jackie Robinson on Saturday Night Live.

Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Redd emphasized that Evangeline was critical in helping him address his issues. “She helped me with my therapy journey and she told me things about her life that made me look at a lot of people involved differently. And in that time, we fell in love,” he stated.

Despite acknowledging the potential for hurt feelings, Redd expressed deep appreciation for his previous work with Thompson. “I really loved everything me and Kenan did. I think that we were a great team. And I hate doing something to somebody that I know would hurt them,” he said.

Redd’s relationship with Evangeline has continued to develop, and he described the decision to pursue love as difficult. “I don’t feel player for this s— at all. But I did choose love,” he reflected, visibly emotional as he described the inner conflict he faced.

Redd confirmed that he and Thompson had previously discussed keeping their relationship under wraps, but after a year, things changed. “By the time everybody found out and the world found out, I was out of there,” he said, referencing his departure from SNL in September 2022.

Additionally, Redd mentioned an incident in October 2022 when he was physically assaulted outside The Comedy Cellar in New York City, remarking that this experience felt fair given his own personal struggles. “This wasn’t meant for laughs,” he noted, adding an apology to those he felt he had let down.

Thompson and Evangeline married in 2011, and Thompson filed for divorce in June 2022.