Though it’s been eight years since his and Ariana Grande’s whirlwind relationship, the Saturday Night Livealum still feels protective of her—and he isn’t a fan of the scrutiny she, and particularly her physical appearance, has been under as of late.
“I don’t like it at all. It’s not cool,” Davidson told Varietyin an interview published Sept. 30. “She’s a really strong person—I’ve witnessed it—and I don’t understand it.”
And though he is aware the Wickedstar “knows how to handle this stuff” after years in the spotlight, it still doesn’t sit right with him.
“She’ll be OK,” the 32-year-old emphasized, “but I think it’s fucked up.”
After all, despite the former couple’s brief relationship and engagement becoming major tabloid fodder—not to mention serving as inspiration for Grande’s “Thank U, Next”—Davidson says there’s no ill will between them.
“I think Ariana’s f–kin’ cool and immensely talented and an awesome girl,” he stressed, adding that when it comes to where they stand, “We’re not texting or whatever, but we’re cool.”
Over the years, Davidson has learned to weather the fascination with his love life, which includes stars such as Kim Kardashian, Margaret Qualley, Chase Sui Wondersand Kate Beckinsale.
But that doesn’t mean his grin-and-bear-it attitude is one that comes easily or without frustration, especially with how his love life often takes front seat to his impressive CV.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
“It’s been over a decade,” the Bupkisstar—who shares daughter Scottie with ex Elsie Hewitt—pointed out. “My work and my relevance is super overlooked, and it’s confusing to me.”
“What the f–k do I have to do?” he added. “And look, I get it—I’ve dated a lot of people. But so has everyone else! Everyone is fucking everyone in this business! Everyone! And for some reason it’s zeroed in on me.”
And though the King of Staten Island actor knows you reap what you sow choosing a life in the spotlight, he does feel like heavier is the head under his particular crown.
“I can’t feel sorry for myself because I put myself in those situations,” he conceded, “but everyone else is doing it. I was in my 20s. Am I not supposed to f–k around and do drugs and have fun and be in Hollywood like everybody else? Sorry, everyone!”
Thankfully, Davidson has remained friendly with many of his exes, including Kardashian, who he saved some kind words for.
‘One of the things I love about Kim and that whole family is they’re like, ‘This is what we do,’” he recalled. “I found that very attractive and mature.”
He added of the SKIMS founder, “We’re cool, and I have a lot of love for her, and I knew what I was getting into.”
And Davidson isn’t the only celebrity to not burn any bridges after a breakup—read on for more Hollywood exes that have kept things friendly.
Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt
No, they are never, ever,evergetting back together. But at this point—between the birthday parties, the friendly embraces and even freakingacting out a sexual fantasyin a star-studded virtual reading ofFast Times at Ridgemont High—it feels like theformer Hollywood golden coupleis just taunting us.
Sarah Silverman & Jimmy Kimmel
You know you’re cool when you can pop into your ex’s talk show and give him a hard time. Such was the case when Sarahturned up on Jimmy’s stageto chat about her new show,I Love You,Americaand his “cute,” “bright,” “funny” wifeMolly Kimmel. “It’s not fair!” she cracked. “She gets, like, new woke Jimmy. I hadMan ShowJimmy.”
Chris Pratt & Anna Faris
TBH, we might still be mourning this relationship harder than either of its participants. Because when Anna—now married to cinematographerMichael Barrett—heard that Pratt was set to wedKatherine Schwarzeneggerin 2019, she offered to officiate. She evensent over a giftafter thenewlyweds welcomeddaughterLylain August 2020. Thrilled for sonJackto become a big brother, a source told E! News at the time that Anna “is very supportive.”
Tarek El Moussa & Christina Hall
It would have been super easy for the exes’ relationship to become a flop. But more than four years after a messy split, the HGTV stars arestill killing itat two projects: parenting kidsTaylorandBraydenand turning run-down properties into someone else’s dream home.
Lisa Bonet & Lenny Kravitz
Literally “best friends” as the rocker put it ina 2013 interviewwithOprah Winfrey, the parents to actressZoe Kravitzstill consider themselves kin. “We’re one big happy family,” Lenny said of his ex, who went on to wedJason Momoabefore their 2020 split. “It’s beautiful, and it just shows you what can be done.”
Julianne Hough & Brooks Laich
After theDancing With the Starsco-host and former hockey player called in quits in 2020, the pair have continually proved they are on good terms.When Brooks’ announced his engagement toKatrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir in December 2024, Julianne celebrated the news, writing on Instagram, “I’m so happy for you both as you step into this beautiful new chapter together.Wishing you both a lifetime of love, laughter, and endless adventures.”Months later, the dancer and her ex-husband, alongside his pregnant now-fiancée, spent the day together on the lake, posting a pic herself with them with the caption, “Special day on the lake with these three cuties.”
Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner
Since their 2015 breakup, the parents toViolet,SeraphinaandSamuelhave hit the conscious uncoupling trifecta: Joint vacations, shared holidays and public displays of admiration with Ben dubbing his ex “an amazing mother” duringa 2016 interviewwith E! News.
Nina Dobrev & Ian Somerhalder
Nina and Ian may have called it quits in 2013 after three years of dating, but they’veremained close friends since then. In 2014, theVampire Diariesstar started datingNikki Reedand tied the knot later that year. Naturally, Dobrev befriended theTwilightactress.
Lady Gaga & Taylor Kinney
The two called it quits in July 2016 after five years together. The singer said onSiriusXM’sThe Howard Stern Showthe following October that she’s “very close” to Kinney, adding, “He’s been my lover and a friend for so long.””We love each other,” she said. “That’s it.”
Mindy Kaling & B.J. Novak
The Office’s on-and-off pairing remained so tantalizingly close after the series wrapped in 2013 that even Mindy gets why people are still shipping them. “If I was on the outside looking at it, I would think the same thing,” she toldGood Housekeepingin 2019 of naming him godparent to her kids. “But the truth is that B.J. is so much more like family now than a platonic friend.”
Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz
The exes had no trouble coparenting their son,Bronx, after finalizing their divorce back in 2011. The Fall Out Boysinger has even said his former wife is”an awesome mom.”
Miley Cyrus & Nick Jonas
So she’s over those “7 Things” then? The JoBro musician has said he’s”really friendly”with his ex. “We’ve got a good relationship.”
Michael C. Hall & Jennifer Carpenter
TheDexterstars first met on set in 2006 before things got romantic in 2008. And although they divorced in 2011, Jennifer assured there was “nothing but love and respect” between the exes a few years later.
Bruce Willis & Demi Moore
Long the gold standard of copacetic exes, the parents to daughtersRumer,TallulahandScoutremain so tight that the decision to ride outcoronavirus stay-at-home orderstogether in Idaho was a no-brainer. Quarantine dance party anyone?
Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony
Some four years after their 2014 divorce, Lopez was still giving her former spouse, dad to her twinsMaxandEmme, props. “While I was married to Marc, he really helped me with my confidence and he saw where I suffered,” she said on a 2018episode ofSunday Today. “He was like, ‘You’re a great singer. Don’t ever let anybody tell you you’re not a great singer.’ And I respected him so much ’cause I consider him one of the best singers of all time.”
Courteney Cox & David Arquette
Even if it hasn’t been his day, his week, his month or even his year, the actresswill be there forher former husband andScreamcostar. “I mean, as divorces go, I would say it’s one of the better ones. For sure,” she sharedonRunning Wild With Bear Gryllseight years after their 2010 split. Raising daughterCoco, she continued, “We’re good co-parents together.”
Cameron Diaz & Justin Timberlake
Their real life romance mayhave fizzledin 2007. However, that doesn’t mean the two couldn’theat up the screenin the 2011 movieBad Teacher.
Peter Facinelli & Jennie Garth
Sure, the initial few months of their 2013 split were rough going, but the actors have now reached the group vacation stage of their divorce. “I really like her husband and I think he’s a great guy,” theTwilightalum toldLaPalme Magazineof a 2017 trip to Cancun that included Garth,Dave Abrams, Peter’s now-fiancéeLily Anne Harrisonand their three daughtersLuca,LolaandFiona. As for his relationship with Jennie, he continued, “People come into your life for a reason and relationships can change,” he told LaPalme. “Just because we aren’t living together doesn’t mean you can’t love each other.”
Will Arnett & Amy Poehler
Despite a surprise separation in September 2012, the couple decided to put on aunited frontfor their children. “As you know, Will and I are very, very good friends,” she explained duringa 2014 interviewwithHoward Stern. “We are doing a really good job. I don’t think a 10-year marriage constitutes a failure. I think relationships are really tough.”
Maren Morris & Ryan Hurd
The Grammy winner and her ex-husband—who finalized their divorce in January 2024—have remained on good terms as they continue to parent their sonHayes. In fact, the songwriters live just five minutes apart from one another, which makes co-parenting a breeze.“Our stops are really easy,” Maren toldThe Zoe Reportin May 2025, “and we’ll have family dinners.”
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