Pete Davidson Opens Up About the “Traumatic” Experience of Being Sexualized
In a candid and revealing interview on a recent Wednesday, August 31st, episode of The Breakfast Club, comedian and actor Pete Davidson, 31, delved into the profound discomfort he has experienced from being “sexualized” by the public. Davidson, known for his distinctive comedic style and high-profile romantic life, expressed how the intense scrutiny of his relationships, particularly with ex-fiancée Ariana Grande, eclipsed his professional endeavors, leaving him feeling “sad” and “embarrassed.”
The Unintended Tabloid Prominence
During his tenure on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, which spanned from 2014 to 2022, Davidson unintentionally became a lightning rod for pop culture gossip. “I brought a lot of pop culture into the show, like I made it [a] sort of tabloidly, trendy thing unintentionally,” he recalled to Charlamagne Tha God. This newfound tabloid prominence, however, came at a significant personal cost. “No one talked about any work I was doing,” he lamented, recounting being reduced to derogatory labels like “the f— stick.” This public reduction of his identity to a sexualized caricature deeply wounded him.
Davidson’s friends and family were quick to notice the emotional toll, observing his discernible sadness and embarrassment over the persistent public attention on his private life. While he emphasized that “no one was outrightly mean by any means,” the constant focus was isolating. Charlamagne Tha God, 47, initially expressed confusion, remarking on Davidson’s perceived advantageous position of dating “a lot of hot chicks” and having a “10-inch penis.” Davidson’s resigned laughter and response, “You know, on paper, that sounds great,” underscored the disparity between public perception and his internal struggle.
The Origin of “Big Dick Energy” (BDE)
The widespread “big dick energy” (BDE) narrative, which became inextricably linked to Davidson, originated around 2018. He traces its genesis to a New York Times article published shortly after he began dating someone “out of [his] league,” which, he jokingly added, he believes “everyone is out of my league.” The phrase gained significant traction, fueled by a memorable exchange on X (formerly Twitter) in August 2018. When a fan inquired about the length of Ariana Grande’s Sweetener interlude titled “Pete Davidson,” Grande humorously responded, “Like 10 inches? …oh f—…i mean…like a lil over a minute,” solidifying the BDE meme in popular culture. Although Davidson initially stated in a Variety interview in 2018 that he didn’t “hate it” and was “really, really happy,” the sustained focus eventually became detrimental.
The Double Standard and Public Scrutiny
He further articulated his frustration with the double standard inherent in his sexualization. “If that was a girl, people would be like, there would be a march for it… Seriously. You’re just talking about my d— all day,” he asserted, highlighting the gendered disparity in how public figures are treated. Davidson also questioned the disproportionate focus on him within the entertainment industry, where he notes, “Everybody f—- everyone,” suggesting his perceived lack of conventional attractiveness, unlike “Glen Powell handsome” individuals, might be a contributing factor.
Ultimately, the continuous dissection of his romantic life overshadowed his comedic talent and acting career. “It just got to a point where I was… I got really tired of my whole career just being like my personal life,” Davidson confessed. He described living under such constant scrutiny as “traumatic,” emphasizing the exhausting and difficult reality of being perpetually exposed and judged.
Navigating a New Chapter
Today, as Davidson navigates a new chapter, expecting his first child with girlfriend Elsie Hewitt, his reflections offer a poignant insight into the psychological toll of celebrity. He continues to view the internet as “evil,” lamenting its capacity for arbitrary criticism and fabrication. Despite having worked “really hard to get my brain to this place,” the challenges of public perception and the relentless focus on his personal life remain a significant aspect of his reality.
