Singer Ariana Grande and “Saturday Night Live” actor Pete Davidson calendar back in May 2018.
Neither star has confirmed the relationship directly, but their reps have not dismissed reports claiming the two have hooked up. The singer and comedian’s hilarious interactions on Instagram certainly give fans the impression that romance is blossoming.
While many celebrated the news, it sure came with a side of backlash too. However, some of the criticism crossed an unfavorable line.
Trolls began pointing to Davidson’s history of mental illness to suggest he couldn’t be in a healthy relationship.
The comedian felt the need to close it. Fast.
“Normally, I wouldn’t comment on something like this because like, fuck you,” Davidson wrote in a note he shared to his Instagram story. “But [I’ve] have heard a lot of ‘people with BPD [Borderline Personality Disorder] can’t be in talks about relationships. I just want to let you know that’s not true.”
Davidson said he was diagnosed with BPD in 2016 after a “nightmare” year that involved rehab and grappling with the ups and downs of the diagnosis. The comedian has also spoken openly about living with depression.
“Just because someone has a mental illness doesn’t mean they can’t be happy and in a relationship,” Davidson wrote. “It also doesn’t mean that person made the relationship toxic.”
Having noticed that there are many life-changing treatments available for people like her, Davidson emphasized the importance of fighting the stigma associated with mental illness.
“I just think it’s fucked up to stigmatize crazy people and say they can’t do the things that anyone can do,” he wrote. “It’s not their fault and it’s the wrong way for people to see things.”
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Davidson has been praised by mental health advocates for using his celebrity to humanize his illness—and making fun of himself along the way.
In one “SNL” segment that aired shortly after his diagnosis was made public, the comedian spoke candidly about his mental illness with “Weekend Update” host Colin Jost.
“If you’re doing a role in a late night comedy show, it might help if they, you know, do more of your comedy sketches,” Davidson joked about the ways other people can help him through his dark times. “I was born depressed, but it might make me feel better if I was on TV more.”
Like many comedians, Davidson often uses brash and catchy words as a form of therapy to deal with trauma. His father died on 9/11, for example, and the comedian multiplied the devastating loss into his routine with a comedic twist.
Laugh maybe not best medicine, but it sure can help.
Davidson ended his message on Instagram by clarifying why he had decided to speak out.
“I’m only writing this because I want everyone out there who has the disease to know that it’s not true [that you can’t be mentally ill and be in a relationship] and whoever says it is sick and full of bullshit,” he wrote. “Mental illness is no joke; it’s the real thing.”
“To all those who are struggling, I want you to know that I love you and I understand you and it will be okay,” Davidson concluded. “That’s all. Love for everyone.”
This story originally appeared on 05.25.18
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