Pete Davidson revisited one of the messiest chapters of his dating life while discussing the scrutiny around his career. His romance with Kim Kardashian put him in Kanye West’s crosshairs, turning their relationship into an even bigger spectacle.
Davidson said West’s attacks affected him deeply, especially because he had spoken openly about his mental health. He also reflected on Kardashian, Ariana Grande, fatherhood and his push to be taken seriously as an actor.
Pete Davidson opens up about Kanye West’s attacks while he was dating Kim Kardashian
In his Variety interview, Davidson recalled meeting Kardashian during a 2021 “Saturday Night Live” sketch. They kissed while playing Aladdin and Jasmine before beginning their relationship soon after. Kardashian was still divorcing West when she and Davidson started dating. He said the Kardashian world brought intense paparazzi attention and constant scrutiny.
“I’m one of the survivors — the few and the proud. We’re like the Marines,” Davidson joked about men who had dated Kardashians. The Kanye West Pete Davidson feud proved harder to handle. West posted threats about Davidson and depicted a Claymation version of him being kidnapped and beheaded in the “Eazy” music video.
“What tripped me out is I was super open about mental stuff — everyone knows this about me — and it’s like he was [saying], ‘Kill yourself.’ And he did push me,” Davidson told Variety. Davidson also addressed speculation that he caused West’s later antisemitic rants. He said he had no idea how West handled public pressure, but understood how relentless scrutiny could affect someone.
“I like to think I got that one out of the way for her because whoever that guy was going to be was gonna get it,” Davidson said. He joked that he had “cleared the path” for Kardashian to date again.
The Pete Davidson Kim Kardashian relationship also frustrated him. He felt his dating history had overshadowed nearly a decade of work on “SNL” and major film projects. Davidson said fatherhood changed that perspective.
