Pete Davidson is no stranger to the spotlight—or the way public opinion can shift on a dime. During a recent appearance on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, the comedian shared his take on the trajectory of rising stars in Hollywood, warning that actor Walton Goggins may soon face the same fan backlash that hit Pedro Pascal.
Davidson explained the phenomenon of oversaturation in pop culture, where fans quickly embrace an actor only to turn on them once their ubiquity becomes too much. Using Pascal as a prime example, he reflected on the actor’s rapid rise and the internet’s fickle affection.
“Look at Pedro Pascal right now,” Davidson said. “Two years ago, he’s this hardworking actor, grinding, doing great work. Then he blows up, and suddenly it’s all ‘Daddy, daddy!’ He’s everywhere—every show, every movie. And now? People are like, ‘Go the f*** away, dude.’”
The Saturday Night Live alum suggested that Walton Goggins, currently enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to recent high-profile roles, could be next in line for that kind of backlash. While Davidson didn’t criticize Goggins personally—in fact, the implication is that Goggins is simply the latest talent to hit mainstream success—he emphasized how quickly the internet can pivot from praise to fatigue.
Hollywood’s tendency to elevate actors to superstardom can create an intense wave of attention that isn’t always sustainable. According to Davidson, the public loves an underdog, but once that actor becomes a household name and appears in multiple projects, the narrative often shifts from admiration to annoyance.
Fans and media personalities alike have noted the “Pedro Pascal effect,” where overexposure leads to a sort of celebrity fatigue. Pascal, who has starred in hit series like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, as well as several films and talk show appearances, has recently experienced online chatter suggesting he’s become “too much”—a sentiment Davidson believes may soon be directed at Goggins.
The takeaway from Davidson’s comments seems to be a warning about the double-edged sword of fame in the digital age. As actors rise quickly, they risk being caught in the same cycle of obsession followed by rejection. Whether Goggins will face this fate remains to be seen—but Davidson seems to think it’s only a matter of time.
