Pete Davidson is owning up to the upsetting joke he told Aretha Franklin’s family at her funeral.
Comedians are known for crossing the line.
It’s in the job description to push buttons, delving in on topics that another person might not want to touch with a ten foot pole.
Pete Davidson has told his fair share of inappropriate jokes, especially when it comes to his past relationships.
He’s also known for crossing the line when it comes to jokes about his father, who tragically died in 9/11.
But, despite his history of pushing boundaries in comedy, there’s one joke even Davidson himself is still embarrassed of.
Pete’s shocking confession…
In his latest Netflix special, Pete Davidson: Turbo Fonzarelli, the comedian revealed that he was high on ketamine at the late music icon Aretha Franklin’s funeral in August 2018.
He attended the funeral as a guest of his then-girlfriend Ariana Grande, who performed at the event.
Many times, when we attend events as a plus one, we all try to be on our best behavior in an effort to not ruffle any feathers.
Unfortunately for Ariana, her boyfriend wasn’t so considerate, admitting that the ketamine drove him to tell an “embarrassing” joke to Franklin’s family.
Instead of offering the late icon’s family his condolences in a sincere matter, he told a joke that riffed on one of Aretha’s most famous hits.
“I was so high,” he admitted in the special, “I thought it’d be a good idea to go up to her family and go, ‘Hey, I’m just here to pay my R-E-S-P-E-C-T’s.'”
Of course, Pete’s joke is a reference to Franklin’s 1967 song, “Respect,” which is a cover of an Otis Redding single of the same name.
Davidson didn’t elaborate on how the family reacted, but given his embarrassment, it seems like they weren’t big fans of the quip.
The embarrassing truth
“It’s embarrassing when you’re not on ketamine anymore, though—I’m embarrassed,” the Saturday Night Live alum continued in his special.
“I was out and about like that,” Pete said. “That’s not cool.”
The comedian went on to express guilt for his behavior at the Queen of Soul’s memorial.
He also assumed that Franklin’s family would probably question why he was even in attendance at the funeral in the first place.
“I have to live with that,” Pete added of his embarrassing joke.
“She’ll never know, but still, that’s not the point,” he quipped. “You know what I mean?”
An ongoing problem…
This isn’t the first time Pete has spoken out about his problems with drug use.
Back in September, following a visit to a rehab facility, Davidson spoke about trying to get clean during his stand-up set in Atlantic City.
“I am fresh out of rehab, everyone,” he told the crowd at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Ettes Arena. “I got that post-rehab glow. Seventh time’s the charm!”
At the time, Davidson revealed that he took ketamine, a dissociative drug used medically as an anesthetic, daily for four years.
PEOPLE confirmed in June that Davidson checked into rehab to receive in-patient therapy to address issues related to post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder.
“Pete will often check himself into rehab to work on these issues,” a source close to Davidson said at the time.
They added, “His friends and family have been supportive during this time.”
Davidson confirmed a previous stint in rehab in February 2020, telling Howard Stern he went in 2016 because “there was no way I could stop” using drugs.
“I was like, somebody has to put me in a house where there is literally nothing” he told Stern in 2018. “I had too much access.”
Since Davidson has opened up about some things he’s not proud of in his past, it has fans looking at his ex, Kim Kardashian, a lot differently.
It all began on Tuesday, when Davidson’s Netflix stand-up special was released on the streaming platform.
During the special, titled Turbo Fonzarelli, Pete made some shocking confessions about his life.
One of the revelations that’s getting the most attention from fans comes from the few months Davidson dated Ariana Grande.
Their short-lived fling…
Just three weeks after initial reports claimed the two were “casually dating,” it was reported and later confirmed that they were engaged.
Unfortunately, after just 5 months of dating, the couple called it quits.
Now, Davidson is opening up about what was really going on in his life while him and Ariana were dating.
During his stand-up special, Pete confessed that he was high on Ketamine during Aretha Franklin’s funeral in August 2018, which he attended with Grande.
Ketamine confessions
“I was on a drug for the past two and a half, three years called Ketamine,” he told the crowd. “What a time.”
The Saturday Night Live alum continued, “It’s embarrassing when you’re not on ketamine anymore, though…I’m embarrassed. I was out and about like that.”
“I was at Aretha Franklin’s funeral like that,” Pete joked. “Yeah, I have to live with that.”
How he quit…
Luckily, the funnyman is no longer doing ketamine, revealing, “I had to stop doing hard drugs because [you] can’t be a drug addict in your 30s, you know?”
“Doing drugs in your 20s is fine. It’s like an excuse. You’re like: ‘I’m finding myself.’ It’s cute, you know?” he continued.
As many fans have pointed out since the special released, Davidson was 29 when he dated Kim Kardashian.
Because of this revelation, many fans are worried about Kardashian’s children having spent time with Davidson during their relationship.
In a Reddit thread, many critics have assumed the comic used the drug during their nine-month-long relationship.
Since fans are already aware of Pete spending time with Kim’s four children, many are slamming the mom for seemingly allowing such behavior.
The public speaks out…
“Children should not be left in the care of someone who is under the influence of horse tranquilizer, therapeutic or otherwise,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Gross. What if your boyfriend came to visit you, and you’re with your kids?”
Kim shares four kids with her ex-husband Kanye West: daughters North, 9, and Chicago, 5, and sons Saint, 7, and Psalm, 4.
Pete and Kim shared their first kiss in October 2021, when she hosted SNL and starred in a Disney-inspired skit with him.
They started dating shortly after, attending the Met Gala together in 2022.
Unfortunately, they broke up after 9 months of dating at the beginning of August 2023.
Back when the pair were still dating, Kim opened up about her dating life like she never has before.
She even revealed a shocking confession about Pete Davidson.
And revealed the perils of the realities of dating in the public eye.
It seems she learnt a LOT from her relationship with Pete…
As she opened up about their very public relationship recently.
Scroll on to find out …
The Kardashians are a family with a lot going on, to say the least…
It’s pretty hard to keep track of it all!
Most of us have heard of Kim Kardashian…
The forty-one-year-old has broken the internet with her escapades many times.
But you can’t talk about Kim without discussing the rest of the gang.
She comes from one of the most famous families in America, so let’s take a closer look…
Starting off with one of the most important figures in the family, Kris Jenner is infamous for her role as ‘momager’.
She was the catalyst for the family’s reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which launched them all to a new level of fame.
Her first husband was none other than Robert Kardashian, O.J. Simpson’s lawyer in that notorious trial.
Robert married Kris in 1978, but the pair were divorced by 1991.
The sixty-six-year-old had 4 kids with Robert.
Sadly, Robert passed away back in 2003.
Kris and Robert’s eldest child together is none other than Kourtney Kardashian.
The forty-three-year-old is the founder of lifestyle brand Poosh.
Aside from her solo business ventures, she isn’t afraid to partner with her sisters.
She is known to have collaborated with Kylie Cosmetics as well as Kim’s range KKW Beauty.
Kourtney also recently married Travis Barker, drummer in the legendary rock band Blink-182.
The pair married in May of this year, holding 3 different ceremonies in Las Vegas, Santa Barbara and Portofino in Italy.
However, before this, Kourtney had a long on-again-off-again relationship with Scott Disick, ranging from 2006 to 2015.
The pair have 3 children together named Mason, Penelope and Reign.
Fans of Keeping Up with the Kardashians will know Scott well…
This is because he became quite the fixture in the show, and even went on to feature in various spinoffs.
The second oldest of the Kardashian gang is, of course, Kim herself.
It’s fair to say that Kim was the first real breakout star from the family.
Although some might put this catapult to stardom down to her relationship with Ray J…
Their involvement with each other has been forever immortalized in that video…
But that’s enough about that — since then, Kim has proven herself to be a real force.
Aside from her success on social media, the forty-one-year-old has proven herself to be a great businesswoman.
She launched her very own shapewear brand in 2019 called Skims.
Talking to Nordstrom, Kim spoke of where the inspiration for the brand came from: “Any great outfit starts with what’s underneath. If I don’t feel comfortable in my underwear or if it doesn’t fit properly, I am not going to feel good in it, no matter how I look from the outside.”
The brand focuses on body positivity and inclusivity, with a range of shades and sizes available.
Since its launch 3 years ago, the brand has seen huge success, with a valuation of $3.2 billion back in January 2022, as per Forbes.
She also has had success in the beauty industry.
She launched KKW Beauty in 2017, before relaunching the brand as a skincare line called SKKN by Kim earlier this year.
According to Glamour Magazine, people think the rebrand was because of her divorce from Kanye West.
The pair were arguably one of the most high-profile celebrity couples around.
The pair first met in the early 2000s, but they didn’t become an item until 2012.
They married in 2014, but called it quits last year, with Kim filing for divorce in the same month as the KKW rebrand announcement in February 2021.
Kim and Kanye have 4 children together.
They are called North, Chicago, Psalm and Saint.
Then, born in 1980, is the youngest of the Kardashian sisters, Khloé.
The thirty-eight-year-old is known for being one of the most athletic of the sisters.
However, don’t let this trick you into thinking she’s not business savvy too.
Because that is certainly not the case!
Aside from the regular spinoffs, Khloé has produced her own shows too, including Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian.
The star has also launched her own clothing line called Good American, which is reported to have made $1 million in sales on its very first day!
Khloé was married to NBA player Lamar Odom from 2009 until she filed for divorce in 2013.
The pair tied the knot exactly one month after they met!
The Kardashian then met another basketball player, Tristan Thompson.
They have 1 daughter named True, and a son who was born via surrogacy in July.
However, the pair have a very rocky history, having initially split in 2019 after cheating allegations.
Although the pair rekindled and quarantined together during the pandemic, they split again in 2021.
Then there is the only brother to come out of the Kardashian clan, Rob Jr.
He is known as being one of the most camera-shy members of the family, but he did compete in the thirteenth season of Dancing with the Stars, and came an impressive second.
Rob has found himself in some hot water over the years, particularly in relation to the mother of his daughter, rapper Blac Chyna.
Back in 2017, the thirty-five-year-old was banned from Instagram after sharing explicit photos of his ex after accusing her of infidelity.
As well as the trio of Kardashian sisters, the family extends into the Jenners with the notable addition of Kendall and Kylie.
Kris married Bruce Jenner, who transitioned in 2015, taking the name Caitlyn.
Caitlyn was married to Kris for over twenty years, from 1991 to 2015.
Kris filed for divorce in 2014, citing irreconcilable differences.
However, the pair have 2 children together who are undeniably a key part of the Kardashian collective.
Their kids may be the youngest, but this by no means indicates they are the weakest!
Kendall Jenner is known for modelling career, which has seen her walk runways all over the world.
The twenty-six-year-old has been on multiple magazine covers, including Allure, LOVE, Harper’s Bazaar and even a range of international Vogue editions.
She is undoubtedly one of the most successful models of her generation.
In 2018, she topped Forbes‘ list of the highest-paid models in the world.
Her huge social media following earns her a buck or 2 too!
It is rumored that Kendall charges up to $700,000 for a sponsored post.
The star has dated multiple NBA players, including Blake Griffin.
She also dated Ben Simmons from 2018 to 2020.
Since then, Kendall has been dating basketball Devin Brooker.
However, the pair are reported to have split earlier this year.
The other Jenner sister is none other than Kylie, founder of the iconic beauty brand Kylie Cosmetics.
Although she is the youngest of the sisters, she is the one who has proven herself to have the most entrepreneurial spirit.
Her Kylie Lip Kits are extraordinarily popular.
She first began to sell them in 2014, before Kylie Cosmetics ballooned in size and began to produce a wider range of products.
However, the twenty-five-year-old has faced her fair share of controversy.
Particularly back in 2020 with Forbes’ declaration that she was the world’s youngest self-made billionaire.
The magazine then accused her of foraging tax documents which called her billionaire status into question.
They claimed that her business was worth substantially less than had been made out.
One of the star’s most significant relationships was with rapper Tyga.
Kylie featured in a couple of the musician’s music videos during the time they were together from 2015 to 2017.
The couple have 2 children together.
Stormi was born in 2018, and then they also welcomed a little boy in February this year.
The family is never too far from controversy…
And recently, Kim received the wrath of online critics after she spoke out about the current Balenciaga controversy.
The brand hit headlines after they posted images of children posing with BDSM-inspired teddy bear purses.
“We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused. Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms,” the company wrote in a statement posted to its Instagram Story.
“We apologize for displaying unsettling documents in our campaign.
“We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot. We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children’s safety and well-being.”
However, following their statement, many have been waiting for Kim Kardashian to speak up on the issue.
She’s a frequent collaborator with the brand and has worn their clothing at the Met Gala.
“I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been shocked and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns,” she wrote on Twitter.
“But because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened.”
“As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images.
“The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period,” she continued.
“I appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of the campaigns and apology.
“In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again,” the reality star added.
“As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — and the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children,” Kim concluded.
Fans have also slammed Kim’s home after she posted a series of pictures of the “things at home that makes me happy,” on her Instagram.
Kim took to Instagram to share several snaps of her home and in one photo, she showed off her bedroom which featured white and gray marble walls.
However, in a second, a huge piece of artwork with a blue dot in the middle on a gray stone wall was photographed
One specific photo even showed what appeared to be her living room which was decorated with matching chairs and a couch, a throw blanket and a rug.
Everything in the room, including the walls, was the same color.
As per reports, parts of her home are undergoing construction, which included 2 stone ottomans and a blueprint for an all-brown room.
But fans weren’t too impressed by the interiors and many took to the comment section to slam her design skills, and compared her home to a “prison.”
“I felt cold looking at this,” one popular comment read.
“That is such a depressing-looking house,” another person wrote.
While a third chimed in: “It’s giving solitary confinement.”
“Looks like you live in hell Kim,” another user added, while someone else compared it to a “psych ward.”
“I would feel like I’m sleeping in a morgue in that bedroom,” one fan added.
And surprisingly, it’s not the first time Kim’s house has been criticized as her daughter North previously expressed her frustration at the house decor.
Kim also recently hit headlines again for a controversial business venture.
She’s landed her first major acting role!
The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported that Kim has been cast in the new series of American Horror Story.
“Kim is among the biggest and brightest television stars in the world and we are thrilled to welcome her to the AHS family,” co-creator Ryan Murphy said.
“Emma and I are excited about collaborating with this true force in the culture. Halley Feiffer has written a fun, stylish, and ultimately terrifying role, especially for Kim, and this season is ambitious and unlike anything we have ever done.”
The series will be called Delicate and is partially based on Danielle Valentine’s upcoming novel Delicate Condition.
Bookshop.org describes the book as “a gripping thriller that follows a woman convinced a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens―while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says.”
However, recently, Kim has been hit with controversy.
Her former Kimoji business partner has gone viral for critiquing the star …
David Liebensohn claims that Kim Kardashian ruined his life!
“If I get hit by a bus tomorrow,” he told the Daily Mail. “I want everyone to know the truth about the Kardashians.”
“He lost his home, his $2 million business, and his family,” the outlet reports, “he now lives in his 2011 Toyota Prius to save on rent and showers in the gym.”
Liebensohn explained: “I thought people might want to know about this story, what have I got to lose right now by telling it?”
“I’m literally sleeping in my car. I might as well put all this in a story that people can maybe make some sense out of, and see what happens.”
“I lost my wife, my kids blamed me, they had a rough time at school, they were teenagers at the time and idolized that family – Kim and her sisters – then this happened, and it destroyed us.”
“I blame them for all of it. Because before I met them, I was on a positive trajectory.
“After that, everything that I’d worked for started going downhill to the point where I’m now sleeping in my car. They’re 1,000% to blame.”
You can watch his shocking TikTok here.
Recently, Kim was in the headlines for something else entirely…
The Mother’s Day message she received from her kids that roasted their mom.
Kim took to Instagram to share a video card that sister Khloe had set up for her from her kids.
And in it, Chicago mistakenly called her mother out for never cooking for the family in a humorous message expressing everything she loved about her.
Kim posted the card to her stories, which said: ‘Mom doesn’t cook. She has a chef,’ to which Kim replied, ‘OMG 😂.’
As soon as she opened the card, a video of Psalm wishing her a “Happy Mother’s Day” started playing automatically. Chicago then playfully entered the scene and repeated the greeting.
“You are the best in the world,” North, Kim’s oldest daughter, remarked in a more subdued tone to the camera, “You make my day every day.”
Saint was also shown briefly in the clip, saying how much he loved his mom.
Later that day, Kim wrote in a follow-up post that “Chi was wrong, I do cook. LOL” in an effort to defend her culinary abilities.
She shared a picture of herself baking beeshee, traditional pancakes from her father Robert Kardashian’s family, on social media.
She also joked about what her late father would have remarked while sharing a close-up of a pancake with a thick layer of sugar on it.
“My dad would say… ‘Kimberly do you want some Beeshee with your sugar’ 🤣.”
But now, Kim has opened up about her love life!
In a recent episode of The Kardashians, Kim revealed all about dating while in the public eye.
“Well, it’s just hard because what do those first dates look like?” she explained.
“Behind doors, can’t go out. It’s kind of awkward.”
“Here’s the thing … ” she continued.
“If you are seen with someone, then if it’s starting to not work out, you almost have to try to make it work a little longer because you’re so embarrassed that it was so quick.”
“I just want to sneak around a little bit!”
“Like, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to sneak.”
Scott Disick then revealed she’s been talking to a new guy, who they nicknamed “Fred.”
“Does he meet the standards?” Disick asked, to which she replied: “Oh, so meets the standards.”
Kim then made a shocking confession about Pete Davidson.
Revealing why their relationship has made her want to be more private.
“You obviously learn from every situation.”
“And the one thing I learned from last situation was the media made me feel like I was in a very serious relationship so quickly,” she explained.
Therefore, Kim wants to keep everything quiet until she decides whether it’s a serious relationship or not.
What do you think of Kim’s new outlook?