Pete Davidson has opened up about his relationships with Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian, admitting that his reputation for dating famous women has become so dominant that he feels it has overshadowed more than a decade of work in comedy and film.
The 32-year-old actor and comedian addressed his much-discussed love life in a candid new interview with Variety, where he pushed back against the idea that his relationships are the most interesting thing about his career. Davidson acknowledged that he has dated several high-profile women, but questioned why that part of his life continues to receive so much attention.
Pete Davidson Is Tired of Being Defined by His Exes
Davidson's dating history has long been part of his public image, with his relationships with Grande and Kardashian generating huge levels of media attention.
But in the interview, he made clear that he believes the fascination has come at the expense of his professional achievements.
'It's been over a decade. My work and my relevance are super overlooked, and it's confusing to me,' he said.
Davidson pointed to his nearly eight years on Saturday Night Live, his work in film and television, and collaborations with directors including Craig Gillespie, James Gunn, Doug Liman and David Leitch.
His frustration was particularly visible when he addressed the assumption that his dating life should be the defining feature of his career.
'I'm still only 32, but I have really crazy credits,' he said, before listing some of the projects and filmmakers he has worked with.
For Davidson, the issue is not that his relationships were private or insignificant. Rather, he appears frustrated that they continue to overshadow the work he says he has spent years building.
His Ariana Grande Comments Are Surprisingly Warm
Grande remains one of the most recognisable names connected to Davidson.
The pair became engaged during their whirlwind 2018 relationship before splitting later that year. Grande subsequently released 'Thank U, Next', which referenced their relationship and became one of the defining songs of her career.
Asked about the continued association, Davidson was complimentary rather than bitter. 'There should be a group for us,' he joked, referring to people whose break-ups have inspired songs.
He then described Grande as 'fuckin' cool', 'immensely talented' and 'an awesome girl'. 'We're not texting or whatever, but we're cool,' Davidson added.
Davidson also defended Grande amid the intense scrutiny she has recently faced over her appearance, saying he does not like the attention directed towards her. His comments suggest that, despite the passage of years, he has no desire to turn their past relationship into a source of public drama.
Kim Kardashian Relationship Put Him Under Another Spotlight
Davidson's relationship with Kardashian created a different kind of celebrity frenzy.
The pair met while Davidson was appearing on SNL and began dating after sharing a kiss during a 2021 sketch. Their romance placed Davidson in the orbit of one of the world's most photographed families and intensified the paparazzi attention surrounding him.
Davidson said he found aspects of Kardashian and her family's approach to fame attractive and mature. 'One of the things I love about Kim and that whole family is they're like, 'This is what we do.' I found that very attractive and mature,' he said.
However, he admitted that the lifestyle could become overwhelming, particularly while he was dealing with personal problems. Davidson said Kardashian was respectful of his boundaries and that they remain on good terms.
'We're cool, and I have a lot of love for her,' he said.
That warmth is notable because Davidson's relationship with Kardashian remains one of the biggest reasons he is still discussed as part of the celebrity dating cycle.
'Everyone Is F*ing Everyone In This Business!'
It was when Davidson discussed the wider obsession with his dating life that his frustration boiled over.
'I get it — I've dated a lot of people. But so has everyone else!' he said. Then came the line that most clearly captures his objection to the narrative surrounding him: 'Everyone is f*cking everyone in this business! Everyone!'
Davidson also acknowledged that he cannot completely blame the media because he willingly participated in some of the situations that generated attention.
'I can't feel sorry for myself because I put myself in those situations,' he said. That self-awareness sits alongside his complaint that his career has become secondary to his relationships.
Davidson Wants His Work To Become The Story
The timing of the interview is significant because Davidson is entering another phase of his career. He stars in How to Rob a Bank, directed by David Leitch, with Sony Pictures listing the film for UK cinemas from 13 November.
He has also completed Tommy Karate, a crime film he wrote and plans to star in, continuing his push to develop material beyond the comedian persona that first made him famous.
His changing appearance is part of that evolution, too. Davidson has been removing most of his nearly 200 tattoos, explaining that some were tied to an earlier period of his life and that covering them for film roles had become impractical.
Together, the new projects and physical transformation point towards the same ambition Davidson expressed throughout the interview: to be recognised for what he does rather than simply who he has dated.
His famous relationships will inevitably remain part of his public story. But Davidson's frustration is that they have become the story. And after more than a decade in entertainment, he wants the next chapter to be about the work.
