Pete Davidson Opens Up About 'Primal' Fatherhood Transformation
Comedian and actor Pete Davidson has candidly revealed how becoming a father has unleashed what he describes as "primal" protective instincts within him. The Saturday Night Live alumnus, who welcomed his daughter Scottie Rose with girlfriend Elsie Hewitt in December, shared these surprising feelings in a recent interview with People magazine.
From Laidback Comedian to Overprotective Guardian
Davidson explained that fatherhood has fundamentally changed his demeanor, transforming him from his typically relaxed, humorous self into what he jokingly calls an "overprotective bodyguard." The 32-year-old admitted he never anticipated experiencing such intense protective urges.
"It's funny. It's like I didn't understand this. You're just ready to fight anyone. It's really funny," Davidson told the publication. "It's like, chill out. No one's doing anything to your kid... But you have this overly protective like...if one paparazzi guy pops out I'm going to f***ing beat the living s*** out of him. So that's a weird gear because I'm not a fighter guy."
The Caveman Comparison
The comedian elaborated on these instincts, drawing a comparison to ancient human behavior. "But you develop this like, 'Is that person looking at my baby? What are you looking at?' You're very, very hyper aware. But I guess that goes back to caveman times, you know? It's very...what do they say? It's like primal?" he mused.
Despite these surprising aggressive impulses, Davidson emphasized that fatherhood has been overwhelmingly positive. He particularly enjoys the "cute stuff" with Hewitt, including dressing their daughter in baby outfits and experiencing the everyday joys of parenting.
A Long-Awaited Dream Realized
Davidson's recent reflections on fatherhood come years after he expressed his desire to become a parent. In a 2022 interview, he called becoming a father his "ultimate dream" and described himself as "definitely a family guy." At that time, he enthusiastically anticipated "It would be so fun to dress up a little dude. I'm so excited for that chapter."
Welcoming Scottie Rose
Davidson and Hewitt, a 30-year-old actor and model, announced their pregnancy last year shortly after making their relationship public. Hewitt humorously marked the announcement on Instagram with the caption: "welp now everyone knows we had sex."
The comedian previously expressed guilt about bringing extra media attention to Hewitt during her pregnancy. On an iHeart Radio show last July, he said: "Anything I do or she does now is gonna be a thing. She's never made me feel this way or said anything, but I feel so guilty and horrible that I could not allow her to have the ideal pregnancy that almost every woman gets to have and enjoy."
The Birth Announcement
Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson was born on December 12. The new parents announced the birth on Hewitt's Instagram page through a series of photographs. Hewitt captioned the post: "My best work yet, I am absolutely overflowing with love and gratitude and disbelief." Davidson added his own touch with the comment: "Wu tang forever."
Davidson's honest discussion about his paternal transformation provides a rare glimpse into how celebrity fatherhood can trigger unexpected emotional and psychological changes, even for someone accustomed to public life.
