Pete Davidson has opened up about the lasting impact of Ariana Grande’s viral joke about his manhood. The pair had a whirlwind romance in 2018, but after Grande’s “10 inches” quip, Davidson says the focus shifted from his work to his private life.

Speaking on The Breakfast Club, the comedian admitted he felt “embarrassed” during his SNL years. “No one talked about my work… They were like, ‘Oh, that’s the guy,’” he said. He explained that the unwanted attention affected his dating life and career, adding, “If that was a girl, there’d be a march for it.”

Davidson also reflected on how the “big d*** energy” label started, saying it came from dating “someone out of my league” before others confirmed it. While ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian also joked about the rumor, Davidson insists he never leaned into the hype.

“On paper, it sounds great,” he laughed, “but it’s Hollywood—everyone dates everyone. Why focus on me?” His story is a reminder that public jokes can leave personal scars long after the laughter fades.