ENTERTAINMENT'Everything's Kind Of Up In The Air': Pete Davidson Talks About His Uncertain Future On 'Saturday Night Live'
But what will become of Chad? Pete Davidson isn’t doing much to shut down speculation that he’s leaving Saturday Night Live.
During the season 46 finale of the NBC variety show that aired in May, the 27-year-old raised eyebrows when he earnestly told the audience, “I’m very grateful to be here, and it’s been an honor to grow up in front of you guys” during Weekend Update. The cryptic statement from the self-deprecating TV personality led fans to believe he may not be returning to the NBC series.
The King of Staten Island star touched on that moment with Gold Derby in an interview published on Monday, June 21. “It was an emotional week just because, speaking for myself, I don’t know what the plan is, so everything is kind of up in the air right now, just depending on scheduling,” Davidson admitted. “It is my seventh year, and that’s usually what the contract’s usually for.”
“I worked with these guys for a ¼ of my life. I started there with acne and left with tattoos,” the comedian continued. “It’s a very crazy, long period [of] time. [I] wasn’t ready for the season to end yet because I was really having so much fun.”
Davidson doubled down on his uncertainty about returning to Saturday Night Live. “Right now, it’s all up in the air. I gotta talk to [creator] Lorne [Michaels] and see what the best move is,” he said. “You know, it’s a big cast. There’s a lot of new guys in there, and there’s a lot of great new talent, and it’s their time to shine. I have no idea what’s going on right now.”
The New York native also shared his appreciation for Michaels. “Since day one, he’s always been really understanding of me. I’ve been in and out of rehabs,” Davidson said. “I’m pretty much the Dennis Rodman of the cast where I’ve had some wild, embarrassing, very public moments, and that guy never looked at me differently.”
Davidson has been a cast member of SNL since 2014. In 2017, the Big Time Adolescence actor — who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder — opened up about his mental health issues on Weekend Update, joking, “I was born depressed, but it might make me feel better if I was on TV more.”
A year later, following his whirlwind romance with Ariana Grande, he addressed their split on the weekly news segment upon the release of her song “Thank U, Next.” “I know some of you are curious about the breakup, but the truth is, it's nobody's business, and sometimes things just don't work and that's OK," Davidson said at the time. "She's a wonderful, strong person and I genuinely wish her all the happiness in the world."
Meanwhile, Davidson isn’t the only SNL cast member who may be eyeing his exit: During the season finale, Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong became emotional during the opening monologue. Kenan Thompson and Aidy Bryant have also been rumored to be departing the series.
As OK! previously reported, Davidson hinted during a comedy roundtable interview with The Hollywood Reporter that this last season may have been his last: "I'm surprised I made it to seven [seasons]. I’m ready to hang up the jersey."
