Pete Davidson is speaking out in defense of his ex-fiancée Ariana Grande, condemning online criticism directed at the singer’s weight and appearance. The comedian addressed the public scrutiny during a Variety cover story published Wednesday, Sept. 30, stating that the harsh comments directed at the Grammy-winning artist are unfair.
Grande and Davidson were briefly engaged during their 2018 relationship. Addressing the recent wave of online commentary regarding her noticeable weight loss and thin appearance, Davidson made his stance clear. “I don’t like it at all,” Davidson told the publication. “It’s not cool. She’s a really strong person — I’ve witnessed it — and I don’t understand it.”
Davidson Defends Grande During Her Career Break
Davidson noted that Grande has handled public attention for much of her career, expressing confidence that she will manage the latest wave of commentary. “She knows how to handle this stuff though. She’s been around. She’ll be OK, but I think it’s f–ked up,” he said.
The latest commentary follows a period of intense public discussion surrounding the singer’s appearance. Following the completion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour on Sept. 1, 2026, Grande stepped back from the spotlight to reduce her public-facing work.
Online discussions intensified in September after her boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez, shared photographs of Grande on social media. The images featured the Wicked actress smiling in a gingham babydoll dress with ruffled detailing. While many fans commented on the outfit style, others raised concerns about her weight.
“She has a habit of infantilizing herself, which is concerning especially when paired with her extreme thinness,” one user wrote online, adding a wish that Grande find supportive help. Grande has previously urged the public to exercise caution when commenting on bodies, noting that remarks framed as concern can still cause hurt.
Pete Davidson Addresses Ariana Grande Criticism
When did Pete Davidson address the criticism against Ariana Grande?
Pete Davidson addressed the online backlash in a Variety cover story published on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
When did Ariana Grande wrap up her Eternal Sunshine Tour?
Ariana Grande completed the Eternal Sunshine Tour on Sept. 1, 2026, before stepping back from public visibility.
Which social media platform featured the photos that sparked recent online discussion?
Ricky Alvarez shared the photographs of Grande wearing a gingham babydoll dress on his Instagram account in September.
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