Ariana Grande’s ex-fiancé Pete Davidson is speaking out in her defense after the singer has faced years of online criticism about her appearance and weight.
Davidson, who was briefly engaged to Grande during their 2018 relationship, addressed the backlash in a new cover story with Variety published Wednesday, Sept. 30. The comedian said he doesn’t understand why people feel the need to make harsh comments about Grande’s noticeable weight loss and thin appearance.
“I don’t like it at all,” Davidson told the publication of the criticism. “It’s not cool. She’s a really strong person — I’ve witnessed it — and I don’t understand it.”
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He added that the 33-year-old has dealt with public scrutiny for much of her career and believes she will be able to handle the latest wave of attention.
“She knows how to handle this stuff though. She’s been around. She’ll be OK, but I think it’s f–ked up,” he said.
Grande has also recently taken a step back from the spotlight following years of intense public scrutiny surrounding her appearance.
After completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour on Sept. 1, 2026, the singer was expected to reduce her public-facing work for a period of time. Her representative and sources close to her previously confirmed that she planned to take a break from visibility.
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The decision came amid continued online discussion about Grande’s body and appearance. In September, her boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez, shared new photos of the singer on social media, prompting some fans to comment on her appearance and question her choice to wear a babydoll-style dress.
In the photos shared to Alvarez’s Instagram, the Wicked actress can be seen smiling while wearing a gingham babydoll dress with ruffled detailing.
The outfit quickly became a topic of discussion online, with some commenters focusing on the style of the dress and others raising concerns about Grande’s appearance and weight.
“She has a habit of infantilizing herself, which is concerning especially when paired with her extreme thinness. I truly think she’s incredibly talented and she deserves to be the healthiest version of herself,” one person wrote, adding that they hoped Grande could find “any sort of help she needs and that works for her.”
Grande has previously asked people to be more mindful when commenting on other people’s bodies, saying that what may appear to be a compliment or concern can still be hurtful.
