Just like many people, Cecily Strong aspires to be a morning person but isn’t there just yet. She loves a good Thomas’ English muffin in the morning to help get her day going, which is why she felt a partnership with Thomas’ was the perfect fit for her.
The mom of one and former “SNL” star recently sat down with The Blast exclusively to talk about her partnership, how being a mom has shifted her mornings, her “SNL” legacy, and what’s next for her.
4When two icons join forces, they can turn anyone into a morning person!
“SNL” alum Cecily Strong and Thomas’ have teamed up to prove that late-night legends and busy parents can win their early mornings, one 21-day challenge at a time.
According to a press release sent to The Blast by Thomas’, research has shown that 95% of Americans don’t fancy getting up in the morning. But Thomas’ believes that anyone can embrace the morning with the right breakfast. This is why the breakfast brand teamed up with comedian and actress Strong for its new “Join the Morning People” campaign.
In the campaign, Strong stars alongside Thomas’ beloved “breakfast provocateur,” Thom, in a series of hilarious spots that bring some early morning humor to center stage.
“If you told my former late-night self that I’d be leading a crusade to get people out of bed early, I never would have believed you,” Strong said according to the press release. “The truth is, mornings are chaotic. But partnering with Thomas’ proved that you don’t have to suddenly become a flawless sunrise person – you just need a good breakfast, a sense of humor, and something warm in the toaster to make it tolerable.”
And while she’s claims to be “someone who is not great in the morning,” she “aspires to be a morning person” so this partnership was right up her alley.
“When they sent the offer, I was like, you guys won’t believe this. And I went to my fridge and took a picture of the inside of my fridge. It was like, look what’s in here,” she told The Blast exclusively. “This is truly my breakfast. It’s like kind of an iconic, beloved brand, so it’s exciting to partner with them.”
More About The ‘Join The Morning People’ Campaign
To help encourage others to incorporate a warm, delicious breakfast into their morning routine, Thomas’ is launching the 21-Day Morning People Challenge, inspired by research that shows it takes approximately 21 days to form a lasting habit.
When asked which one of the morning people in the campaign Strong feels is closest to her real life, she said it’s obvious at this time in her life.
“I would say now, obviously the busy parent. I don’t have triplets, luckily, but you know, sleep is really a luxury,” she shared. “I would have liked to think of myself as the traveler, the jet setter, but in my new life, I’m definitely more of the person covered in baby vomit.”
Fans can sign up for the challenge at JoinTheMorningPeople.com. Thomas’ has also partnered with Instacart to reward select participants with prizes including Instacart cards and exclusive Thomas’ merchandise now through September 17, 2026. You can also follow along on Strong’s 21-day journey toward becoming a morning person on Instagram.
For Official Rules, visit rtmpromo.com/morningpeople.
Speaking Of Being A Mom
4Speaking of motherhood, Strong said it’s taught her quite a bit about being flexible in your routines, especially in the mornings.
“It’s very, Jesus take the wheel,” she told The Blast. “She’s in charge. It’s like, okay, you don’t want that right now? It’s like there’s just a surrender. I have surrendered so much to her, but luckily, I have a fabulous, amazing little gal and she’s a great eater.”
She said that while “terrible twos” might be lurking around the bend, right now, she’s seeing a “rosy version of this” since her daughter eats and sleeps well. “She’s giving us an easy year one,” she added.
Cecily Strong And Her Time On ‘SNL’
4Fun fact: Strong is the longest-tenured female cast member on “SNL.” When asked what that means to her personally, she simply said she is “honored.”
“It’s incredible just to be a part of that group of people and that means so much,” she said. “Tom Davis’ memorial service was my first year, and all these people came back and were speaking about the time when they were on the show and their friendships. And I was like, even getting to be in the back of that room, honoring that person and hearing all these stories is like, I can’t believe now this is a part of my life. I’m so honored. It really is very special.”
Reminiscing about her time on the hit sketch comedy show, she said there are so many characters and skits that still make her laugh.
“There’s so many, honestly. I’ve been talking about the reality stars sketch today with Will Farrell. That one really made me laugh,” she said. She also explained that a lot of characters and skits that really stick in her head now and make her laugh never even aired. One that never aired – a skit where she was portraying a “Coyote Ugly” dancer in a full body cast trying to dance on the bar. Just sharing that information put a smile on her face.
As any “SNL” fan knows, there are times the cast break character because it’s just that funny. Strong shared that it was more likely to happen the longer you were on set.
“I think the longer you stay there, the more comfortable you get,” she said. “It’s almost like you can’t even laugh when you’re scared or maybe laugh harder in those situations.”
What’s Next For Cecily Strong?
4In addition to “SNL,” Strong has been on Broadway, on television and in films, and has no plans to slow down anytime soon. While her career has taken her to many different avenues, she said her approach to acting hasn’t changed at all.
“I’ve kind of always approached everything the same way. I’ve always been a person that finds life hilarious and devastating and beautiful and terrible and getting to do it all,” she said. “A lot of times, playing funny characters, I’m playing them dramatically and it’s just funny.”
As far as future projects, she’s excited about an Apple show with Julia Louie Dreyfus and Mary Bronstein called “The Nanny Squatter.”
“I think it’ll be a lot of fun when we get to do that,” she said. “Mary’s writing it all and she’s directing. I’ve very excited about that one.”
She also added there are some other things in the works but she doesn’t want to “jinx anything” that’s currently in the early stages.
