"Seriously, why is the attractiveness of Pete Davidson always up for debate?"
Throughout history, the same questions have come up time and time again. Who built the pyramids? What's the secret to finding happiness? And why do famous women find Pete Davidson so attractive?
OK, I'm joking. Kind of. But every time Pete Davidson is reported to be dating a new A-Lister, the internet delves passionately back into the same old conversation: the mystery of the comedian's appeal and why so many beautiful, famous women choose to be with him.
Most recently, reports have claimed that Pete, 29, is now dating model and actor Emily Ratajkowski, 31, after the pair were pictured hugging. Before that, Pete was in a relationship with Kim Kardashian, 42, with fans across the globe sharing their shock at the 'unlikely' pairing. Previously, there was his was engagement to Ariana Grande, 29, and dates with Kate Beckinsale, 49, Kaia Gerber, 21, and Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor, 27.
Thanks to Em Rata, Pete is once again coming under the microscope, prompting some debate across social media about how he's ended up dating yet another high-profile (and famously stunning) female celeb.
But, like, isn't it time we just stop the speculation? Much of the confusion spawned over Pete's dating history stems from a suggestion that he's stereotypically less attractive than the objectively, by Western beauty ideals, gorgeous women he's dating. And, with this assumption taken as a hard fact, the internet seems to scramble for a myriad of other reasons as to why famous women choose to date Pete: namely his sense of humour, or rumoured BDE (more on that later).
OK, so first things first: this general acceptance that he's less attractive than those women seems quite frankly unfair. When did it become acceptable for a widely held opinion like that to exist? Why can't we consider the nuance of preference, of personal likes and dislikes? And hey, the guy is good looking - he's got the height, tattoos, humour and kind nature.
Personal choice aside, even if you do think he's always 'punching' above his weight in the looks department, why do people have such a hard time grasping that someone very attractive could choose to date someone (apparently) less attractive than them? We know that looks aren't everything when it comes to a relationship, with recent shows such as Love Is Blind exploring the fact that connection matters more than appearance. Could it be that Pete is just... kind, successful, funny and witty?
Still, rather than just accept the fact that women like Pete Davidson, voices on the internet have drawn up their own theories to explain why he has so much appeal. If they insist it can't be looks *or* personality, then what is it? Enter: BDE. That's Big Dick Energy, for the unaccustomed. The phrase 'BDE' was first coined four years ago, popularised largely by Pete's relationship with Ariana Grande. Put simply, the internet theorised that Pete's penis size had something to do with why so many famous women wanted to date him. Kim Kardashian herself even referenced the term during an episode of The Kardashians, where she told viewers she'd "heard about this BDE" when recalling why she first considered dating Pete. Since then, the phrase has taken on a life of its own, largely referring to a certain energy or confidence, regardless of actual penis size.
Of course, BDE can be and is interpreted as a compliment. But its inception still stems from society's collective confusion over what actually makes Pete attractive - as if BDE (physically or theoretically) is the only 'obvious' explanation. Which begs the same question again: Why does Pete need a hidden reason to be found attractive at all?! And, if we're being honest, BDE alone is still not enough to make a relationship last long term - so let's not do Pete a disservice here, please.
In 2022, it's true that Pete Davidson has become the internet's irresistible joke. And everyone seems OK with that. But let's take a moment to imagine the tables being turned: if a stereotypically 'less attractive' woman was dating one of Hollywood's 'hottest' men, wouldn't it feel wrong for us all to incessantly question why he actually likes her, or to draw up intrusive sexual explanations?
Pete largely stays quiet on the speculation surrounding his dating life. But having your appearance routinely (and loudly) criticised must hurt, BDE or not.
If you all don't want to date him, that's fine. Because he's always got 81-year-old singer Dionne Warwick waiting in the wings, who tweeted this week, "I will be dating Pete Davidson next." Sign me up too.
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