Nocturnal 
Pete Davidson has hit out at the wave of online criticism aimed at his ex-fiancée Ariana Grande’s body, branding it “not cool” and “f***ed up” in a new interview with Variety.
The comedian, who was engaged to the singer for a few months back in 2018, was asked about the intense scrutiny Grande has faced online over her appearance and weight. He didn’t hold back.
“I don’t like it at all. It’s not cool,” Davidson said. “She’s a really strong person — I’ve witnessed it — and I don’t understand it. She knows how to handle this stuff though. She’s been around. So she’ll be OK, but I think it’s f***ed up.”
Why Grande is being talked about again
Grande has faced a fresh round of online debate about her body since releasing the music video for her track “Petal”, with social media users fixating on her slim appearance. Some voiced concern for her health, while others accused people of making assumptions about someone’s wellbeing purely from photos and video clips.
The scrutiny has reportedly had a wider impact too, with eating disorder professionals saying some patients have been affected by the online discussion surrounding Grande’s appearance, according to Variety’s report.
The renewed attention came after Grande wrapped her Eternal Sunshine Tour on 1 September. Days earlier, on 2 August, her representative announced she would be “taking a step back from visibility”, pointing to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”. She also pulled out of a planned West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George, a production that was ultimately scrapped after co-star Jonathan Bailey also exited.
Grande later pushed back on suggestions that body shaming was behind her decision to step away. Speaking at a Chicago tour date on 4 August, she said the break wasn’t “reactive or impulsive” and had been planned “a long time ago”.
Where Davidson and Grande stand now
Davidson, 32, and Grande, 33, dated for around five months in 2018 after getting engaged just weeks into their relationship. The pair called off the engagement in October that year.
Grande went on to reference the split, and Davidson, in her 2018 hit “Thank U, Next”, which also named exes Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez and the late Mac Miller. In the accompanying music video, a Mean Girls-inspired “Burn Book” moment featured a photo of the former couple with the message: “Sorry I dipped. I love you always.”
Asked about being immortalised in a breakup anthem, Davidson joked there “should be a group” for men like him and Jake Gyllenhaal who’ve ended up in similar songs.
He made clear there’s no bad blood, however. “I think Ariana’s f***in’ cool and immensely talented and an awesome girl,” he said. “We’re not texting or whatever, but we’re cool.”
What’s next
Davidson is currently promoting his upcoming film How to Rob a Bank, directed by David Leitch, in which he plays a war veteran turned bank robber. The film is due for release on 13 November.
As for Grande, she has not publicly commented further since her August remarks in Chicago, and it remains unclear when she will next step back into the spotlight.
