Pete Davidson Calls Kim Kardashian Romance a 'Tough Atmosphere,' Admits Drug Use
The comedian reflected on his highly publicized nine-month relationship with the reality star, noting his struggles with public scrutiny and substance abuse during that period.
Pete Davidson has described his relationship with Kim Kardashian as navigating a "tough atmosphere," admitting that the intense public scrutiny surrounding their nine-month romance exacerbated his struggles with mental health and drug use.
In a recent interview with Variety, Davidson, 32, reflected on the period from late 2021 to August 2022 when he and Kardashian, 45, were a prominent couple. He characterized himself as a "survivor" of the highly publicized relationship, drawing a parallel to the perceived challenging dating histories of the Kardashian family.
"One of the things I love about Kim and that whole family is they’re like, 'This is what we do,'" Davidson said. He found Kardashian's comfort with the public nature of her life "attractive and mature." However, he also noted the constant attention that came with dating one of the world's most famous women.
"Being followed everywhere, having security and looking over your shoulder – for a guy with mental stuff, and at the time drug problems, was a little too much for me," Davidson explained. He has since become sober and has spoken openly about his past substance abuse and depression.
Davidson and Kardashian met on the set of Saturday Night Live in October 2021, during Kardashian's hosting gig. They began dating shortly after, months after Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West. Their relationship garnered significant media attention, with Davidson reportedly getting several tattoos to commemorate their bond, including references to their SNL sketch and Kardashian's legal studies.
The couple's split in August 2022 was attributed to their demanding schedules.
More recently, Davidson has become a father. He welcomed a daughter, Scottie, with ex-girlfriend Elsie Hewitt. Reflecting on fatherhood, Davidson expressed gratitude for being sober, noting in a September 2025 podcast appearance that he wished he had more sober time but was thankful it occurred before becoming a parent. He previously stated that he felt he needed to have a child and get married due to his upbringing, but realized in retrospect that he was not ready for family life while struggling with substance abuse.
Despite the challenges, Davidson stated he has no regrets about his relationship with Kardashian. "We’re cool, and I have a lot of love for her, and I knew what I was getting into," he told Variety.