Pete Davidson Defends Ariana Grande Against Body Criticism: "It's F--ked Up"

Pete Davidson is speaking out about the wave of online commentary surrounding ex-fiancée Ariana Grande, and he didn’t hold back. In a Variety cover story published September 30, the comedian called the scrutiny of Grande’s appearance“not cool”and“f–ked up,”adding that she’s“a really strong person”he’s witnessed firsthand.

The comments land in the middle of a tough stretch for Grande, who announced in August that she was stepping back from the public eye after months of speculation about her figure. Davidson and Grande were briefly engaged in 2018, a year that also included the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller. That painful chapter famously produced Thank U, Next, the album that topped the Billboard 200 and spawned a title track that spent seven weeks at No. 1.

The two aren’t in regular contact today. Grande is dating Ricky Alvarez, and Davidson welcomed his daughter Scottie in December 2025. Still, he made it clear he’s got nothing but respect for how she’s handled everything the spotlight has thrown at her. Where do you draw the line between celebrity gossip and outright body shaming? Sound off in the comments.