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Ariana Grande calls on fans to be 'gentler to others' after Pete Davidson shares emotional post about online bullying

'I really don’t endorse anything but forgiveness and positivity'

Jack Shepherd
Tuesday 04 December 2018 10:37 GMT
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Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson attending the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York, USA. Picture date: Monday August 20, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ VMAs. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire
Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson attending the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York, USA. Picture date: Monday August 20, 2018. See PA Story SHOWBIZ VMAs. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire (PA)

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Ariana Grande responded to Pete Davidson’s social media post about online bullying, calling on her fans to be “gentler to others”.

The pair were engaged for four months before calling things off in October, the split appearing to be amicable.

However – just days after being referenced in the singer’s latest music video “Thank U, Next” – Davidson released a statement about the horrible abuse he has received.

“I’ve spoken about BPD [borderline personality disorder] and being suicidal publicly only in the hopes that it will help bring awareness and help kids like myself who don’t want to be on this earth," he wrote.

“I just want you guys to know. No matter how hard the internet or anyone tries to make me kill myself, I won’t. I’m upset I even have to say this.”

Grande later shared the statement on her Instagram account, posting her own message addressed to fans.

“I know you already know this but I feel I need to remind my fans to please be gentler with others," she wrote. "I really don’t endorse anything but forgiveness and positivity.

“I care deeply about Pete and his health. I’m asking you to please be gentler with others, even on the internet. I’ve learned through my own mistakes not to be reactive on socials so I do understand, but you truly don’t know what anybody is experiencing ever. Regardless of what they choose to display on social media or how they may appear in public. I can promise you that.

"So please let whatever point you’re trying to make go. I will always have irrevocable love for him and if you’ve gotten any other impression from my recent work, you might have missed the point.”

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Davidson has taken steps back from social media in recent months, deleting all the photos from his account on two different occasions.

He explained in July this year, after removing all of his images for the first time, that he had chosen to do so because "the internet is an evil place".

For confidential support in the UK, contact the Samaritans at 116 123.

In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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