Kate Beckinsale Responds To Backlash Over Dating Pete Davidson

Pete Davidson - Saturday Night Live / Kate Beckinsale - The Only Living Boy In New York

Shortly after the much-publicized dissolve of his engagement to Ariana Grande, Pete Davidson surprised everyone when he quickly rebounded with a newfound romance with Kate Beckinsale. Nobody expected Davidson to get into another love affair so quickly, particularly one with Beckinsale. But the comedian and the film star have swiftly fallen into each other's arms. While they tried to keep it private before, it's certainly public now. Now that Kate Beckinsale is frequently in the tabloids thanks to her man, the Underworld actress finds herself "surprised" that their newfound relationship has garnered this much press. Ultimately, Beckinsale can't help but feel a bit "shocked" by the attention their romance has received.

I’m surprised by the interest. I’ve never been in this position before — never dated anybody who comes with their own bag of mischief. It’s all quite shocking, and something to get used to. I think if you liked the person less, you would bow out of it. If that were the main thrust of the relationship, there would be a problem. But it’s not.

Kate Beckinsale's comments about her romance with Pete Davidson were collected during her recent profile with The Los Angeles Times. The actress was promoting her new streaming series Widow, which will debut exclusively on Amazon Prime. But the personal interview ultimately shifted into a discussion about Kate's own personal life, and how her relationship with Pete Davidson has found the actress in the public spotlight even more than she was before.

It is hard to control one's image in the press, and there are some folks who find themselves off-put by Kate Beckinsale's decision to date Pete Davidson — particularly considering how Pete just got out of a serious relationship with Ariana Grande only a month or so before.

Part of the controversy also derives from the couple age's difference, with Kate Beckinsale being two decades older than her celebrity lover. Pete Davidson addressed the matter on Saturday Night Live, but Beckinsale hasn't discussed that matter publicly.

In any case, either in this interview or on social media, she hasn't been afraid to defend and joke about her relationship with Pete Davidson in cheeky fashion, and it's clear that she doesn't really care what anyone has to say about her relationship status. It should only matter to her, and it's ultimately no one else's business. If they have a problem with it, tough break. She's happy with how things are going so far. Beckinsale believes no further comments needed from her end.

Ultimately, the heart wants what it wants. And Kate Beckinsale's heart wants Pete Davidson. It can be hard sometimes for people to understand one's relationship to another person, or what they might see in their romantic partner. No matter the reason for why Kate Beckinsale and Pete Davidson are smitten together, they don't need to seek anyone's approval but their own. And that's just the way it's gonna be.

Will Ashton

Will is an entertainment writer based in Pittsburgh, PA. His writing can also be found in The Playlist, Cut Print Film, We Got This Covered, The Young Folks, Slate and other outlets. He also co-hosts the weekly film/TV podcast Cinemaholics with Jon Negroni and he likes to think he's a professional Garfield enthusiast.