Pete Davidson credits heart-wrenching talk with mom as sobriety catalyst

Pete Davidson credits a heart-wrenching talk with his mom Amy Waters Davidson as the catalyst for his sobriety. On Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, the SNL alum recalled a call from his mother during rehab in which she expressed her greatest fear that she would see on the news that her son had died. He described his mother as the most supportive person in the world and said that moment woke him up, adding that he resolved not to die while she was alive. Davidson, now 31, said he’s been sober for more than a year and credited his family with sticking by him through years of mental-health struggles and rehab stays following the loss of his father, Scott Davidson, who died while serving as a New York City firefighter during the September 11 attacks.

He described his mother’s positivity and the strain of his behavior. He said loved ones never abandoned him despite what he called deranged episodes, and that the fear she voiced ultimately compelled him to commit to sobriety. He noted that sobriety has allowed him to confront his past and begin the next life chapter, including his relationship with Elsie Hewitt, which is evolving into parenthood. He added that, without getting clean, he wouldn’t have treated his family with the care they deserve.

The couple’s growing family is a central part of Davidson’s present. Hewitt announced earlier this year that she and Davidson were expecting a child, and a source told Page Six that the actor is so excited for this next chapter. The couple first appeared publicly together in March on a PDA-filled vacation in Florida and later made the relationship Instagram-official. Davidson has long dated other high-profile figures, while Hewitt has been linked to public figures including Jason Sudeikis and Benny Blanco.

Beyond the romance, Davidson’s sobriety marks a broader shift in his life. He has said that staying clean has allowed him to be more present for his family, including his mother and sister Casey, and that he would not have a chance at fatherhood if he had not pursued treatment. He acknowledged the pain of his father’s death and the impact it had on his family, saying that his sobriety opened a path to healing and a new chapter with Hewitt.

As the Davidson family looks ahead, the actor repeated that he is grateful for the progress he has made and for the love and support of those around him. “Thank God I’m sober and where I am,” he said, underscoring the role of his sobriety in shaping his personal life and future plans.