Kristen Wiig says she is aware that it seems like she left "Saturday Night Live" because her film career was taking off at lightning speed. And while she admits that was part of it, she says she always knew her days there had an endpoint.

She tells Marie Claire in their August coverstory:

ldquo;I know a lot of people probably assume, 'Oh, she's leaving because she is going to be doing movies now and things like that,' which I will be. But I just always knew it was going to be seven and that was it. I think maybe if I were 22, I could see myself staying a little bit, but it just felt like the right time."

She continues: Still, "it was very emotional. I just wanted to get through it without breaking down in every sketch. Because nothing says comedy like breaking down."

But despite the sadness she felt at leaving the show she called home, she says she is the happiest she has ever been.

"I will say that I'm happier than I've ever been, and I feel very lucky."