From Sketch to Romance: The Love Stories Born on ‘Saturday Night Live’
NEW YORK, N.Y. — The iconic stage of “Saturday Night Live” has long been a backdrop not only for comedy and satire but also for unexpected romances that have captured public fascination. Among the most talked-about couples is Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande, whose relationship began in the unique setting of the show’s live broadcast and quickly became a whirlwind engagement that captivated fans worldwide.
Davidson, a cast member who debuted on SNL in 2014, first crossed paths with Grande when she appeared as the musical guest on his debut episode. Their initial meeting planted the seeds of a connection that would flourish years later. Grande recalled on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon how she jokingly told her tour manager she was “marrying him 100 percent” after leaving Davidson’s writing room, a statement that foreshadowed their eventual romance.
Their relationship reignited in 2018 during Grande’s visit to New York to promote her album. A casual text from Davidson to Grande, facilitated by her then-manager Scooter Braun, led to a night of playing Quiplash that lasted hours and marked the beginning of their inseparable bond. Davidson later described the moment he realized there was chemistry, saying he nervously asked Grande, “Hi, can I kiss you please?”
Within a month, the couple announced their engagement, a milestone Grande described on the Zach Sang Show as “really sweet” and unconventional, reflecting their nontraditional approach to love and commitment. Their relationship was marked by public displays of affection, including matching tattoos and the adoption of a pet pig named Piggy Smallz.
However, the couple’s time together was also shadowed by tragedy. The death of Grande’s ex-boyfriend Mac Miller deeply affected their relationship, leading to their eventual breakup in October 2018. Davidson spoke candidly about the pain surrounding Miller’s passing during an interview with Charlamagne Tha God, expressing understanding and support for Grande during that difficult period.
The aftermath of their split was as public as their romance. Grande’s surprise release of the hit song “Thank U, Next” referenced Davidson and other past relationships, a move that sparked widespread discussion. Davidson responded in his 2020 Netflix special Alive From New York, highlighting the double standards in how their breakup was publicly perceived and addressing the cultural impact of the song.
While Davidson and Grande’s relationship is one of the most recent and high-profile, it is far from unique in the history of “Saturday Night Live.” The show has been described by cast member Bowen Yang as having “a wonderful little matchmaking service, inadvertently,” a nod to the numerous romances that have blossomed among cast members, crew, and hosts over its decades on air.
These stories underscore how the intense, creative environment of SNL, with its long hours and close-knit community, can foster connections that extend beyond the stage. As the show continues to evolve, it remains a place where comedy and love intersect in unexpected and memorable ways.
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