Comedian Pete Davidson addressed his current relationships with former fiancées Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian in a comprehensive interview published in Variety on September 30, 2026. The 32-year-old former Saturday Night Live cast member opened up about the ongoing public scrutiny surrounding his past romances, his defense of Grande against recent online vitriol, and his respect for the Kardashian family’s handling of fame.
Pete Davidson Discusses Current Status With Ariana Grande
Reflecting on his whirlwind 2018 relationship and brief engagement with Ariana Grande, Davidson told Variety that there is no animosity between them nearly eight years later. “We’re not texting or whatever, but we’re cool,” Davidson stated, describing Grande as an “awesome girl” who is immensely talented.
Davidson also condemned the intense body-shaming and commentary directed at Grande this summer following her break from the spotlight during her Eternal Sunshine Tour. “I don’t like it at all. It’s not cool,” Davidson said. He added that Grande is a strong person who knows how to handle public pressure due to her long tenure in the industry.
Relationship With Kim Kardashian and Dealing With Ye’s Wrath
Addressing his subsequent high-profile romance with Kim Kardashian, which began after they shared a screen kiss during an October 2021 Saturday Night Live sketch, Davidson expressed deep admiration for the reality star and her family. Davidson told Variety that he appreciated how transparent the Kardashian family was regarding the intense media scrutiny that accompanied the relationship, noting, “I found that very attractive and mature.”
Davidson admitted that the relentless media attention, combined with his personal struggles with mental health and drug problems at the time, made the lifestyle difficult to sustain. The relationship ended in August 2022. During the romance, Davidson faced severe online attacks from Kardashian’s ex-husband, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Davidson revealed to Variety that West’s hostility pushed him significantly, remarking that he felt he “cleared the path” for Kardashian to return to dating by taking the brunt of that friction.
Frustration Over Overlooked Comedy Work
Despite his candid reflections on his personal life, Davidson expressed frustration that his professional comedy career remains overshadowed by public fascination with his romantic history. “My work and my relevance is super overlooked, and it’s confusing to me,” Davidson told Variety, adding that perspective shifted for him following the birth of his daughter, Scottie Rose, with model Elsie Hewitt.
Summary of Pete Davidson’s Variety Interview
- Ariana Grande: Davidson stated they do not text regularly, but emphasized, “We’re cool,” while condemning recent body-shaming directed at the singer.
- Kim Kardashian: He expressed lasting affection and respect for Kardashian and her family’s mature approach to managing public visibility.
- Public Scrutiny: Davidson noted that the relentless focus on his dating history obscures his professional comedy work.
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