Pete Davidson | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #612

Comedian Pete Davidson discusses his upcoming international comedy tour, the challenges of creative freedom in certain countries, the lasting impact of his father's death on 9/11, and his journey through sobriety and mental health towards impending fatherhood.

• Pete Davidson is embarking on an international comedy tour, navigating strict content restrictions in some countries.

• His father's death on 9/11 profoundly shaped his life, leading to mental health struggles and a journey to sobriety.

• Davidson is excited to become a father, aiming to provide a stable childhood and bring joy to his mother, who raised him after his father's passing.

Pete Davidson details his upcoming international comedy tour, including stops in Singapore and Saudi Arabia, where he faces restrictions on his material. He shares the profound impact of losing his firefighter father on 9/11 at a young age, leading to struggles with mental health and substance abuse. Davidson also reflects on his path to sobriety and finding purpose, expressing excitement about becoming a father and creating a stable, happy environment for his child.

International Tour & Restrictions

• 00:03:03 Pete Davidson is embarking on his first international comedy tour, with dates across Australia, Singapore, Riyadh, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Dublin, and Belfast. He notes that some venues, particularly in Singapore, have strict limitations on his material, forcing him to research older, cleaner sets. Davidson mentions the Saudi Arabian Comedy Festival in Riyadh also has potential content restrictions, prompting discussions about artists being influenced by Middle Eastern money, though he primarily focuses on the opportunity and routing.

• 00:05:08 Davidson faces challenges with content censorship on his international tour, especially in Singapore, where a 'laundry list' of prohibited topics covers most of his act, requiring him to revert to older, cleaner material. He contrasts this with the Riyadh Saudi Arabian Comedy Festival, where he's heard about potential influence from Middle Eastern money but hasn't received specific content limitations. The conversation touches upon the historical incident of Michael Fay being caned in Singapore for vandalism, highlighting the strict legal environment.

• 00:07:35 Pete Davidson acknowledges 'flack' for performing in Saudi Arabia due to his father's death on 9/11, but he accepts engagements based on routing and financial opportunities. He shares that his father, a firefighter, was on the first truck to the World Trade Center and died with his whole house, leaving him with few but cherished memories of his 'hilarious' dad, Scotty. Davidson notes that people who knew his father often call him 'Scotty' and recall 'sweet' stories about him.

Impact of Father's Death & Grief

• 00:11:15 Pete Davidson reflects on the profound impact of losing his father on 9/11 at age seven, distinguishing his experience from Theo Von's, who lost his father at 16. Davidson feels his youth prevented full comprehension, leading to delayed anger and a loss of innocence. He notes his childhood photos visibly show a shift in his eyes after his father's passing, indicating a deep-seated sadness that became a core part of his identity.

• 00:16:10 Davidson found surrogate father figures in older comedians when he started stand-up at 16, gravitating towards mentors like Chris DiStefano, Yannis Pappas, and Nate Bargatze, who were significantly older. This early tragedy, he believes, matured his brain, making him feel older than his peers. He explains that his sadness and the loss of innocence pushed him towards comedy as a coping mechanism, drawn to the works of comedians like Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, and Rodney Dangerfield.

Mental Health & Sobriety Journey

• 00:23:29 Pete Davidson reveals a lifelong struggle with mental health, including OCD and manic depression, compounded by substance abuse. He recounts attempting suicide at eight, driven by a desire to be with his deceased father, and being placed in a psychiatric ward. His mental health issues continued into adulthood, exacerbated by public scrutiny and negative media, which fueled his 'low self-worth' and led to increased drug use.

• 00:26:04 Davidson's mental health declined when negative public perception mirrored his childhood feelings of not fitting in, driving him back to drug use. A year and a half ago, he realized he needed to get sober for himself, not for external validation or career goals. This realization, coupled with friends and his mother expressing fears for his life, prompted him to seek help, confronting his deep-seated 'people-pleasing' tendencies and fear of abandonment.

• 00:36:50 Davidson has been sober for over a year, viewing drugs and smoking weed as 'friends' he used to cope alone. He identifies his work as an addiction, consuming his free time, but he's now exploring healthier relationships with his partner, exercise, and friends. He acknowledges the fear of confronting his true self without distractions, a hurdle he's working to overcome as he prepares for fatherhood.

Public Scrutiny & Celebrity Life

• 01:00:17 Davidson discusses the unique challenges of celebrity life, where therapists often lack experience with high-profile issues and even veteran comedians offer little advice on navigating constant public scrutiny. He describes feeling isolated as articles about his personal life continued to emerge, often from unnamed 'sources.' He eventually adopted a mindset of 'who the fuck cares?' and started replacing his name with other celebrities in article titles to depersonalize the criticism, realizing that most people don't genuinely follow tabloid news.

• 01:09:02 Davidson expresses gratitude for Simon Rex's early support, which significantly boosted his confidence in comedy. He celebrates Rex's career 'turnaround' and emotional Indie Spirit Award win for 'Red Rocket,' highlighting the industry's tendency to quickly build up and tear down celebrities like Pedro Pascal. Davidson laments the public's quick judgment of public figures, acknowledging that unseen personal struggles often influence their behavior, urging for more empathy.

Impending Fatherhood & Family

• 01:14:50 Davidson is 'fucking thrilled' to be expecting a child, emphasizing his desire to provide a 'happy childhood' free from the insecurities and fears he experienced. He aims to be a 'solid rock' for his child and is excited to see his girlfriend embrace motherhood. He expresses particular joy for his mother, Amy, who dedicated her life to raising him and his sister alone after his father's death, and will now experience the 'purpose' and excitement of being a grandmother.

• 01:18:12 Davidson's large extended family (40 cousins) means his child will be the first grandchild, receiving abundant love. He recalls the movie 'Frequency,' where a man communicates with his deceased firefighter father, resonating deeply as his 'fantasy' of connecting with his own late father. He expresses a desire to remake the film or participate in 9/11-related projects, finding healing and inspiration in art that reflects his personal experience.