In 2018, the world stood still—at least for a moment—when Saturday Night Live (SNL) comedian Pete Davidson and international pop sensation Ariana Grande went from strangers to engaged in what felt like the blink of an eye. Their story was fast, intense, dramatic, and deeply human—an emotional rollercoaster that played out in front of millions.
It wasn’t just about a romance between two celebrities. It was a mirror reflecting the emotional vulnerability of young love, the mental health struggles so many face, and the very real effects of living under a relentless spotlight. As someone who followed their journey with a mix of curiosity and empathy, I can say this was one of the most unique celebrity stories of the decade.
In this article, we’ll explore the full arc of their relationship: how it started, what made it so intense, why it ended, and the ripple effects it had across pop culture.
Chapter 1: Two Worlds Collide
Ariana Grande had just come out of a long-term relationship with rapper Mac Miller—a romance that fans adored but that took its toll emotionally. Around the same time, Pete Davidson had been open about his struggles with borderline personality disorder and his journey with sobriety.
When the two met on the set of SNL in 2016, sparks didn’t fly immediately. But by May 2018, rumors began swirling. Both had split from their previous partners, and their flirtation quickly escalated.
By early June, they were Instagram official. By mid-June, they were engaged.
It was dizzying. Their love story wasn’t just public—it was hyper-public. They posted constant photos, exchanged matching tattoos, and publicly gushed about each other with a kind of intensity that made headlines almost daily.
Quick Facts:
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First Met: 2016 on SNL set
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Started Dating: May 2018
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Engaged: June 2018
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Breakup: October 2018
Chapter 2: A Whirlwind Romance
Their romance became the definition of a whirlwind. Ariana, fresh off a traumatic event (the Manchester bombing in 2017), and Pete, battling his own demons, found comfort in each other. They seemed to build a safe space out of their shared vulnerability.
They were young, famous, and in love. But their relationship was more than flashy Instagram posts—it was a fusion of healing and chaos. They adopted a pet pig named Piggy Smallz, inscribed each other’s initials into their skins, and moved into a multimillion-dollar apartment in New York City.
The media couldn’t get enough. Neither could fans.
Their relationship represented something refreshing—two imperfect people finding love in a messy world. But the cracks appeared as soon as it was put together.
Chapter 3: The Engagement That Shocked Hollywood
Let’s be honest—nobody saw the engagement coming. Even their closest friends were reportedly surprised.
Many thought it was impulsive. And maybe it was. But in that moment, Pete and Ariana made sense to each other. Pete even admitted in interviews that he proposed without expecting a yes. But Ariana said yes anyway. They were both seeking something more than love. Maybe they were looking for security. Or healing.
And let’s not forget: Ariana was also releasing new music at the time—“Sweetener”, followed by “Thank U, Next”—which heavily featured references to Pete. Her music became the soundtrack of their love story.
“Pete Davidson,” one of the most intimate tunes, was brief, endearing, and unreservedly romantic. It felt like Ariana was letting the world into her diary.
Chapter 4: Media Frenzy & Fan Reactions
From the moment the engagement was announced, fans and the media couldn’t stop talking. Some were genuinely happy for the couple. Others were skeptical.
Pete and Ariana’s every move was dissected. From their body language at events to cryptic social media posts—nothing escaped the public eye. TMZ, BuzzFeed, E! News, and countless gossip blogs tracked their relationship timeline like a national obsession.
As someone observing this in real time, I remember seeing daily trending hashtags like #PeteArianaForever or #GrandeDavidson. Twitter threads and fan theories exploded, analyzing every song lyric or Instagram caption.
This level of attention can be intoxicating—but it’s also deeply invasive.
Chapter 5: A Tragic Turning Point
Then, tragedy struck.
In September 2018, Ariana’s ex, Mac Miller, passed away from an accidental overdose. The loss hit her hard. She had spoken about their relationship struggles before, but it was clear she still cared for him deeply.
This loss created a seismic shift in Ariana’s emotional world. Suddenly, what seemed like an exciting engagement began to feel like an emotional overload.
Pete, too, struggled. His mental health challenges were no secret, and the pressure of supporting a grieving partner while managing fame and his own emotional wellbeing became overwhelming.
By October, the engagement was called off. The fairy tale was over.
Chapter 6: The Aftermath – Music, Healing, and Moving On
For Ariana, music became therapy.
Her hit song “Thank U, Next” dropped shortly after the breakup and became a cultural phenomenon. It was the closure she needed, and it gave fans the most honest insight into her heart.
“Even nearly got married / And I’m so grateful for Pete.”
The song wasn’t bitter—it was grateful. It acknowledged love, loss, and growth. Ariana showed maturity far beyond her years. It wasn’t just about Pete; it was about all the people who helped her grow.
Pete, on the other hand, took a break from social media and focused on comedy. His stand-up routines often included references to the relationship—some painful, others hilarious. In his 2020 Netflix special, he joked about being the “butt of every joke,” but he also acknowledged the real emotions behind it all.
Chapter 7: What We Can Learn from Pete and Ariana
Here’s the truth: their story wasn’t perfect. But that’s what made it relatable.
In many ways, Pete and Ariana’s romance reflected the kind of emotional intensity many of us go through in our twenties—fast love, heartbreak, healing, and moving on. However, when celebrity and paparazzi are involved, the situation changes completely.
As someone who’s navigated both love and mental health struggles, I saw parts of myself in their story. That need for connection. That desperate search for stability. That realization that sometimes love isn’t enough—at least not yet.
They loved hard. They broke hard. And they healed.
Chapter 8: The Pop Culture Legacy
Even though their relationship lasted just five months, Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande left a permanent mark on pop culture.
Their story is now studied as a case of how celebrity relationships evolve in the age of social media. It’s not just about two people dating—it’s about how we, as a society, consume, critique, and sometimes destroy what we claim to admire.
They’ve both moved on. Ariana married luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez (they’ve since divorced). Pete has dated several other celebrities but remains private about his serious relationships now.
Still, when you hear the phrase “whirlwind celebrity romance,” Pete and Ariana are the first that come to mind.
Chapter 9: The Human Behind the Headline
What struck me most about their story wasn’t the glamor or drama—it was the humanity. Behind every headline were two people trying to figure out life. Fame doesn’t make grief easier. It doesn’t make mental health struggles disappear.
Pete and Ariana reminded us that love can be beautiful and messy. That sometimes, it’s okay for things not to last forever. And that moving on doesn’t mean forgetting—it means growing.
Final Thoughts: A Story That Still Resonates
Whether you were a die-hard fan or a casual observer, there’s no denying the emotional pull of Pete and Ariana’s romance. It captivated us because it felt real. Unfiltered. Raw.
And even years later, their story still resonates.
Because no matter how famous someone is, we’re all just looking for someone to understand us.
FAQs
Q1: When did Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson begin dating?
A: Shortly after ending their prior relationships, they started dating in May 2018.
Q2: When did they get engaged?
A: They got engaged in June 2018, just a few weeks into dating.
Q3: How long were they together?
A: Their relationship lasted about five months, ending in October 2018.
Q4: Why did Pete and Ariana break up?
A: The breakup followed the death of Ariana’s ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and emotional strain on both sides. The intense public attention also played a role.
Q5: Did Ariana write songs about Pete?
A: Yes. Songs like “Pete Davidson” and “Thank U, Next” reference him directly.
Q6: Are Pete and Ariana still friends?
A: While they’ve remained respectful publicly, they are no longer close and have moved on.
Q7: Who did they date after the breakup?
A: Ariana married Dalton Gomez (divorced in 2024). Pete has dated several celebrities, including Kim Kardashian.
Q8: Why was their relationship so talked about?
A: Their fast engagement, celebrity status, and emotional vulnerability made their relationship a pop culture moment.
