Pete Davidson Reveals Past Struggles With Ketamine Addiction, Says He Was High At Aretha Franklin’s Funeral

Pete Davidson has recently unveiled his personal battle with ketamine addiction in his latest Netflix special, Turbo Fonzarelli. In a candid manner, Pete confessed to being under the influence of ketamine for an extended period, spanning “the past two and a half, three years.”

During this time, he even attended the legendary Aretha Franklin’s funeral while on ketamine, a memory he now finds embarrassing. The comedian, 30, reflected on his actions, stating, “It’s embarrassing when you’re not on ketamine anymore, though… I’m embarrassed. I was out and about like that. That’s not cool, you know?”

Pete continued to share his thoughts on the incident at Aretha’s funeral, imagining what the iconic singer would have said if she had been there. He humorously added, “If she was there, she would probably be like, ‘Hey, who are you? And what the f— are you doing at my funeral?’ It’s embarrassing. I’m so high, I thought it would 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’.”

The unforgettable funeral took place in Detroit, Michigan on August 31, 2018, with Pete attending alongside his then-fiancée Ariana Grande, who paid tribute to Aretha by performing (You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman.

In Turbo Fonzarelli, Davidson further revealed what motivated him to kick his ketamine habit, recognizing the need to leave behind the drug-fueled lifestyle of his 20s as he entered his 30s. He pointed out, “I had to stop doing hard drugs because [you] can’t be a drug addict in your 30s. Doing drugs in your 20s is fine. It’s like an excuse. You’re like: ‘I’m finding myself.’ It’s cute, you know?”

Earlier this month, PEOPLE provided an exclusive sneak peek at Pete’s special, which promises to explore the themes of love, life, and transitioning into adulthood. The special showcases the former Saturday Night Live host in a black-and-white shot, exuding a relaxed aura as he prepares for his performance.

As the mystery unravels, the voiceover introduces Turbo Fonzarelli and hints at the comedian’s unique style. With the anticipation building, Pete leaves the green room, enveloped in a cloud of smoke, to greet his enthusiastic fans.

With his signature wit, Pete leaves viewers pondering the question: “What the f— is a Turbo Fonzarelli?” This Netflix special marks his second hour-long performance on the streaming platform, following his successful debut of Pete Davidson: Alive in New York in 2020.