Pete Davidson has finally addressed the unexpected — and deeply personal — ripple effect Ariana Grande’s offhand remark about his anatomy had on his life, career, and dating world. And, in typical Pete fashion, he did it with a mix of self-deprecating humor and startling honesty.
The Saturday Night Live alum, 31, sat down for a candid conversation during a new episode of The Therapy Room Podcast, where he admitted that the now-infamous comment — made by his then-fiancée Ariana Grande in 2018 — didn’t just boost his pop culture profile. It also created an entirely new set of challenges he never anticipated.
“It’s insane how one joke can completely change the way people see you,” Davidson said, referencing Grande’s tweet that referred to his so-called “big d*** energy.” He added, “She was probably just messing around, but for years, every room I walked into, that’s all people wanted to talk about.”
The original remark wasn’t just a passing comment. It became an internet phenomenon, spawning countless memes, viral tweets, and even think-pieces in outlets like Vogue analyzing the term “BDE.” The phrase quickly evolved beyond Davidson and was applied to celebrities from Rihanna to Keanu Reeves, but for Pete, the association was permanent — and often overwhelming.
Remember when Ariana Grande casually said Pete Davidson was “like, 10 inches”? Yeah, that basically set the internet on fire in 2018. pic.twitter.com/LQ4t62YbNi— Pop Culture Time Machine (@PopCultureTM) August 13, 2025
Davidson told listeners that the constant attention on such a personal detail made dating “a nightmare” for a while. “You go on a first date and you can see it in their eyes — they’re curious. It’s like you’re being interviewed for a role you didn’t audition for,” he said, laughing. “And then if things don’t work out, people assume it’s because the rumor wasn’t true. It’s exhausting.”
Even his friends and colleagues on SNL didn’t let it go easily. “Colin [Jost] would slip it into Weekend Update jokes, writers would throw in references during table reads,” he said. “At some point, I became a walking punchline — which is fine when you’re in control of it, but it’s different when it’s about your body.”
In the interview, Davidson revealed he initially tried to brush off the attention. “I thought, okay, cool, people think I’m packing, whatever,” he explained. But the more the narrative grew, the more pressure he felt. “There’s this weird expectation now. If you date someone, they almost feel like they have to report back to the internet. That’s insane to live with.”
The comedian said he eventually realized the comment had “objectified” him in a way he didn’t expect. “It’s usually women who deal with that in the public eye, but it taught me firsthand how dehumanizing it can feel. You stop being seen as a person and start being seen as a body part.”
Grande’s remark came during the height of their whirlwind romance, which began in May 2018 and led to an engagement within weeks. The relationship became tabloid gold, with outlets like TMZ chronicling their every move — from matching tattoos to their eventual split that October, just weeks after the death of Grande’s ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller.
Pete Davidson says Ariana Grande’s famous “big d*** energy” comment was a blessing and a curse: “It’s not the kind of hype you can live up to.” pic.twitter.com/jF9rNxySsv— Entertainment Alert (@EntAlert) August 13, 2025
After their breakup, Davidson said, the “BDE” label followed him into every new relationship — including high-profile romances with Kate Beckinsale, Kim Kardashian, and Chase Sui Wonders. “It’s funny until it’s not,” he said. “It changes the dynamic before you even get to know each other.”
Some of Davidson’s exes have spoken about the phenomenon in interviews, with Kardashian once joking to Variety that she “heard the rumors” and “was curious.” While meant in jest, Davidson admitted comments like that keep the narrative alive. “Even years later, people still bring it up like it’s the only interesting thing about me,” he said.
Ironically, Davidson says the entire episode made him more empathetic toward celebrities whose bodies are constantly discussed. “I’ve had women tell me, ‘Welcome to our world,’ and they’re right. I got a tiny taste of what they deal with all the time.”
Despite the awkwardness, the comedian acknowledges the publicity didn’t hurt his career. “I can’t lie — it put my name in people’s mouths, literally and figuratively,” he said with a smirk. “I got movie offers, brand deals, gigs… and I didn’t even have to do anything.”
But he also revealed there was a darker side: “You start to wonder if people are hiring you for your work or because they think you’re some kind of walking novelty act. That messes with your head.”
Davidson’s candor has been met with an outpouring of reactions online, with some fans praising him for addressing the issue head-on. One Reddit thread discussing the interview has already amassed over 3,000 comments, with many users noting that men rarely talk openly about being sexualized in the media.
Pete Davidson is right — Ariana’s joke was funny, but imagine being defined by it for YEARS. That’s not healthy. pic.twitter.com/13M1OCnH0j— Culture Commentary (@CultureComm) August 13, 2025
While Davidson says he and Grande haven’t spoken in years, he made it clear there’s no bad blood. “She didn’t do anything malicious. It was a joke that spiraled out of control. I’ve made a career out of that exact thing,” he said. “It’s just wild living on the other side of it.”
Looking ahead, Davidson hopes to shift the conversation away from his love life and onto his work. He’s currently filming a new season of his semi-autobiographical Peacock series Bupkis and has several stand-up dates lined up for the fall.
“I want to be known for my jokes, not my junk,” he quipped at the end of the interview. “Though at this point, I’ll take what I can get.”
