Pete Davidson, best known for his eight-season stint on Saturday Night Live, is rethinking his relationship with fame. In a recent interview with W Magazine, the comedian and actor opened up about stepping back from the limelight and focusing on meaningful projects, citing a desire to avoid being defined solely by his public persona.
“Show Business is Over”
Reflecting on the current state of celebrity culture, Davidson compared his experience to a line from The Sopranos:
“You ever feel like you got into something at the end? When the good times were over? That’s how I feel about show business and being a celebrity. It’s over.”
Davidson revealed he once fell into the trap of overexposure, taking on too many projects early in his career. Now, he aims to emulate actors like Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio, who strategically limit their appearances to maintain intrigue.
“People have to miss you,” he said, acknowledging how oversaturation had diminished his appeal.
Stepping Away From the Spotlight
Davidson has often been in the headlines for his high-profile relationships with stars like Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, and Emily Ratajkowski. However, he said that the constant media attention made him feel reduced to a caricature:
“I don’t want to be this f—ing loser who just dates people. That’s not who I am. I just want to be known for doing good work.”
The experience pushed him to reevaluate his goals:
“I got hit on the face with the Hollywood shovel. It was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to take a step back and evaluate things: What do you want to be? Who are you?”
New Ventures
Davidson’s shift in focus is already taking shape. He recently became the creative director of sock brand Doublesoul and has been selective about his on-screen roles, starring in films like Fast X, Dumb Money, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. His Peacock series, Bupkis, a semi-autobiographical comedy, further explores his journey.
“I’m from Staten Island, wanted to do stand-up, and if I got to do anything else because of stand-up, it was a miracle,” Davidson explained.
Moving Forward
Davidson’s recent Netflix special, Turbo Fonzarelli, capped off a year of personal and professional growth. After taking time for mental health treatment earlier this year, he returned to SNL in November for a guest appearance.
As he steps back from the Hollywood hustle, Davidson says he’s in a better mental place:
“I’m very happy where I am right now, mentally. I want to be out there only when it’s about a movie, stand-up, charity, or business ventures. That’s when I want to be seen.”
With a renewed focus on authenticity and meaningful work, Davidson is carving out a new chapter for himself—on his own terms.
