Overview
- In a Variety cover interview published Wednesday, Pete Davidson said he does not understand the intense criticism of his ex‑fiancée’s appearance and called the harassment “not cool.”
- Grande announced in August that she would take a step back from visibility after completing her Eternal Sunshine tour in September and later withdrew from a planned West End revival of Sunday in the Park With George.
- The recent wave of online and press commentary that targeted Grande’s weight was fueled by viral images, her press tours for Wicked and its sequel, and the release of her “Petal” music video.
- Davidson said he and Grande remain on good terms, described her as strong and talented, and used his interview to discuss how fame and public scrutiny can harm people’s mental health.
- The exchange has refocused public conversation about celebrity body‑shaming, mental‑health stigma and how media attention can affect casting and career decisions in entertainment.