Emotional Impact of the “Big Dick Energy” Narrative
Pete Davidson Says He Felt ‘Used’ After Ariana Grande Relationship – ‘No One Saw Me as a Person

Pete Davidson, best known for his time on Saturday Night Live, has candidly addressed the emotional toll and public scrutiny that followed his high-profile engagement to pop star Ariana Grande in 2018.
In a recent episode of The Breakfast Club, Davidson revealed how he felt reduced to a sexual object by the nickname “Big Dick Energy” (BDE), a media narrative that overshadowed his creative work.
“I was embarrassed. No one talked about me as an artist—just a part of my body,” Davidson shared, expressing how demoralizing it was to be defined by physical attributes rather than his craft.
From Embarrassment to Trauma
Although the BDE label initially may have sounded flattering, Davidson explained how deeply hurtful the public attention became. He described the experience as “somewhat traumatic,” reflecting how sexualization in the media can take a heavy emotional toll.