Pete Davidson Opens Up About Dating in the Public Eye: “It Made My Life a Living Hell”
For Pete Davidson, dating in Hollywood has been anything but a fairy tale. While the world views celebrity romances as glamorous, Pete’s experience has been quite the opposite.
The former Saturday Night Live (SNL) star has had high-profile relationships with Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, Phoebe Dynevor, Kate Beckinsale, and more, but rather than being celebrated, he found himself ridiculed, harassed, and misrepresented by the media.
Now, as SNL gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Pete is reflecting on how his public persona, personal struggles, and Hollywood dating life shaped his journey—and why he never wants to experience it again.
Pete Davidson on the “Humiliating” Side of Dating in Hollywood
Before he became a household name on SNL, Pete Davidson was a rising stand-up comedian known for his dark humor and self-deprecating jokes. However, his personal life quickly overshadowed his professional achievements, making him feel helpless against the public perception of who he really was.
In a candid interview published on Feb. 14, Pete opened up about the intense media scrutiny he endured:
“It was pretty humiliating and upsetting, honestly,” Pete told Page Six.
“Everyone is dating everyone, and it’s Hollywood.”
Despite Hollywood being filled with celebrity relationships, Pete felt that his relationships were dissected and analyzed far more than others. “I was harassed for like five years, and it made my life a living hell.”
Why Was Pete Davidson Targeted More Than Other Celebrities?
Pete compared his experience with the media to that of other male celebrities in Hollywood—such as Timothée Chalamet, Paul Mescal, and Barry Keoghan—who have also dated A-list stars but never received the same level of attention or scrutiny.
“But because I’m ugly, they wrote about me,” Pete said sarcastically.
While his comment was meant as a joke, it highlights a deeper issue: the media’s obsession with certain stars based on their looks, unexpected relationships, and public personas.
For Pete, the overwhelming media attention didn’t just damage his self-esteem—it also took a toll on his mental health and made him feel like he was a punchline rather than a performer.
Pete Wanted to Be Known for His Work—Not His Love Life
When Pete Davidson joined SNL in 2014, he made history as one of the youngest-ever cast members. However, despite his comedic talent, his romantic relationships with Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, Kim Kardashian, and others often stole the spotlight.
“It’s embarrassing because you want people to write about your work,” Pete explained.
“I was one of the youngest-ever cast members on SNL, and all that got pushed to the side because of who I was dating.”
Instead of being recognized for his unique comedic style, writing, or sketches, the media focused solely on his personal life—an issue that left him feeling overshadowed and frustrated.
Even now, when people mention Pete’s career, many immediately associate him with his past relationships rather than his actual work.
Pete Davidson on His Early Days at SNL: A Bittersweet Experience
In honor of SNL’s 50th Anniversary, Peacock released a docuseries called Beyond Saturday Night, which featured behind-the-scenes footage—including Pete’s original audition tape.
Seeing his younger self brought up mixed emotions for Pete.
“The innocence in my eyes made me so sad,” he admitted.
“Showbiz is so tough, and I didn’t know how tough it was.”
The harsh realities of Hollywood and the intense pressure of fame weren’t things he had anticipated.
“I picked the wrong business to have a mental illness and go into,” Pete admitted.
Pete has always been open about his struggles with depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder, and he realized too late that Hollywood wasn’t kind to people like him. “I’m one of the most insecure and sad people ever, and I picked the most insecure, sad business to go into.”
How Lorne Michaels Helped Pete Navigate Fame
Despite the pressures of fame, Pete found mentorship and support in SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
As one of the youngest cast members, Pete often felt out of place among his more experienced colleagues. “Everyone was 10-plus years older than me, and I had a hard time fitting in,” Pete shared. “No one was mean, but there was an age difference. They were getting married, having kids, and I was like, ‘Do you guys want to come over and play video games?!’”
Because of this, Pete gravitated toward Lorne Michaels, who reassured him that he belonged at SNL, even if he didn’t always feel like it. “Lorne told me, ‘I’m not really sure what to do with you, but I know you should be here.’”
That simple statement gave Pete the confidence he needed to push forward. “It was life-changing. I owe him my entire career, and I love the guy. He’s one of my closest friends.”
The Future for Pete Davidson: Career, Comedy, and Self-Growth
Despite experiencing intense media scrutiny, heartbreak, and mental health battles, Pete Davidson continues to pursue his passions in comedy, television, and film.
With stronger boundaries, greater self-awareness, and a renewed focus on his career, Pete is proving that he is more than just a tabloid headline—he’s a talented comedian and performer with a lot more to offer.
As he looks ahead to new projects, one thing is clear: Pete Davidson is taking back control of his story—on his own terms.
Pete Davidson’s Advice on Handling Fame and Mental Health
Pete’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone struggling with public pressure, mental health, or personal identity:
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- Focus on your work. Success should be based on talent and passion—not public opinion.
- Ignore the noise. Media and social media will always have something to say—but you control your own narrative.
- Find a mentor. Having someone like Lorne Michaels helped Pete navigate Hollywood’s challenges.
- Prioritize mental health. Fame is not worth it if it comes at the cost of your mental well-being.
Pete Davidson Today: Moving Forward from the Past
Despite the ups and downs of fame, Pete has found a way to move forward and focus on what truly matters.
Current Projects
- Bupkis (Peacock): A semi-autobiographical comedy series based on his life.
- Stand-up comedy: Continues performing across the country.
- Film and TV roles: Expanding into acting in both comedy and drama.
Personal Life
- Prioritizes mental health and self-care.
- Avoids the tabloid spotlight as much as possible.
- Maintains a more private dating life.
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