Pete Davidson is speaking out about the complicated nature of fame, particularly how the intense media coverage during his early years in the spotlight caused him embarrassment. The comedian, who joined Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2014 just before turning 21, recalled in a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club how his personal life often overshadowed his professional work. Davidson’s high-profile relationships, especially with pop star Ariana Grande, drew relentless media attention that sometimes interfered with how his comedic contributions were perceived.
As the fourth-youngest cast member in SNL history, behind Anthony Michael Hall, Eddie Murphy, and Robert Downey Jr., Davidson recognized that while his relationships brought more viewers to the show, the cast found the distraction frustrating. Speaking candidly, he described the way his work on the series was eclipsed by the gossip surrounding his private life.
How Public Fascination Shifted Focus from His Comedy
Davidson admitted that the media frenzy made him uncomfortable, revealing that the pop culture spotlight unintentionally painted him as a tabloid figure rather than a comedian. He stated,
I brought a lot of pop culture into the show, like I made it [a] sort of tabloidy, trendy thing unintentionally,
and added,
Also, I was embarrassed by it because… no one talked about any work I was doing. They were just like, ‘Oh, that’s the f— stick.’ And that hurt so much.
—Pete Davidson
He reflected on the emotional toll this took, noting that while no one was openly cruel, friends, family, and crew members observed how upset and embarrassed he was about such unwelcome attention. Davidson described living through constant media scrutiny as traumatic and expressed that his career became overly defined by his personal life rather than his talents.
Struggles with Public Image and Relationship Spotlight
Throughout his career, Davidson has been open about his battles with substance abuse and mental health issues, factors that compounded the difficulty of constant media intrusion. After decades of high-profile romances with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Emily Ratajkowski, Kate Beckinsale, Phoebe Dynevor, and Chase Sui Wonders, Davidson partially withdrew from the public eye to regain some privacy.
During the interview, host Charlamagne Tha God noted Davidson’s prominence in relationships and his reputation, stating,
You was banging a lot of hot chicks and you had a 10-inch penis.
In response, Davidson laughed but acknowledged the embarrassment, saying,
You know, on paper, that sounds great,
and,
It’s embarrassing, ’cause, you know… It’s Hollywood. Everybody f—- everyone. Why are they focusing on me?
—Pete Davidson
Davidson also remarked that his publicized sexuality was often discussed in ways that felt intrusive and one-sided. He pointed out a double standard, explaining,
If that was a girl, people would be like, there would be a march for it, Seriously. You’re just talking about my dick all day… They don’t talk about girls like that professionally. Like it was professional, it was like pointed out on the street. Like it was embarrassing.
—Pete Davidson
How the ‘Big Dick Energy’ Frenzy Began and Its Impact
The widespread “Big Dick Energy” (BDE) buzz originally emerged during Davidson’s relationship with Ariana Grande in 2018. The term gained traction after Grande responded to a fan’s X question about Davidson’s size by joking,
Like 10 inches? …oh f—…I mean…like a lil over a minute.
The comment went viral and led to media outlets, such as The Cut, labeling Davidson with “Big Dick Energy”—a term they defined as
a quiet confidence and ease with oneself that comes from knowing you have an enormous penis and you know what to do with it. It’s not cockiness, it’s not a power trip — it’s the opposite: a healthy, satisfied, low-key way you feel yourself.
At the time, Davidson was amused by the attention and told Variety,
I’m just really, really happy, and if that means I have big dick energy, then sick,
embracing the humor of the viral moment. Despite this, he later expressed frustration that the focus on his personal attributes eclipsed talk about his professional achievements.
Looking Back on Media Pressure and Personal Growth
Reflecting seven years later, Davidson explained how the ongoing spotlight on his private life made relationships and his career more challenging than they should have been. He shared,
It just got to a point where I was… I got really tired of my whole career just being like my personal life, And living through that is it’s sort of traumatic. Like not to be like lame, but it’s traumatic to live in your own crap all the time.
—Pete Davidson
Despite these difficulties, Davidson has found new meaning in his life, embracing fatherhood with his girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt. The couple announced they are expecting their first child, marking a joyful new chapter. They have been publicly seen attending events like New York Knicks games and supporting musician Dave Navarro at his wedding in Scotland.
New Phase of Life Marks a Shift from Past Struggles
Davidson described the excitement and support he has received from friends and family about becoming a parent. He said,
Everybody’s just been super excited for me, because they know it’s been my dream, I’m very lucky and very, very happy.
—Pete Davidson
He also praised advice from fellow SNL alum Adam Sandler, whose own experience as a father has inspired Davidson’s outlook. Reflecting on his hopes for parenthood, Davidson remarked,
being able to take care of something and show it the childhood I didn’t have. I assume you just try to give them what you didn’t have, and what you didn’t like, not do it.
—Pete Davidson
As he enters this next stage, Davidson’s story reveals the complex impact media scrutiny can have on young celebrities and highlights the personal growth that can follow from navigating that pressure.
