Pete Davidson Briefly Appears on ‘SNL’ After Alarming Instagram Post

Pete Davidson on SNL (Credit: NBC)

Pete Davidson was mostly absent from Saturday Night Live except for two brief appearances, one in a pre-taped skit (he played Rami Malek) about the search for a new Oscars host after Kevin Hart dropped out of the show, and later he introduced musical guest Miley Cyrus.

Many SNL fans took to social media as the Dec. 15 episode aired, to say they were relieved to see the comedian was okay, after he posted a distressing message on Instagram hours earlier, and deleted his account.

“I really don’t want to be on this earth anymore. i’m doing my best to stay here for you but i actually don’t know how much longer i can last. all i’ve ever tried to do was help people. just remember i told you so,” Davidson wrote, along with a heart emoji.

https://twitter.com/eugenegu/status/1074014421100376064

According to published reports, the New York Police Department did a welfare check on Davidson and made contact with the comedian.

An NBC representative also contacted police to say he was at work and was fine, The New York Times reported.

Davidson’s alarming post came shortly after he defended Kanye West when the rapper criticized the SNL star’s ex-fiancée, Ariana Grande, for joking about West’s feud with Drake (who West claimed had made fun of his mental health issues).

“Bravo Kanye West for standing up for yourself…” wrote Davidson, who has been open about his own mental health struggles and his diagnosis with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Read MorePete Davidson Shares Thoughts on Ariana Grande Breakup

Davidson didn’t mention Grande by name, but added: “We need people like Kanye. No one should ever point fingers at you for your bravery in speaking about mental health. I’m seriously disgusted.”

Grande later apologized for the “insensitive” comment she wrote while telling fans she and Miley Cyrus were about to drop new singles, while grown men were “arguing online.”

West reposted Grande’s tweet and criticized her, saying she was trying to be “cool.”

“With all due respect, i don’t need to use anyone to promote anything. period. i was making a comment ab what men were doing at the time vs. women. it was a joke which i understand now was probably insensitive. i apologize if i was in any way triggering and hope u feel well today,” she wrote in a since-deleted Tweet.

Grande’s fans didn’t like Davidson’s comments on the matter, and tore into the comedian on social media.

Davidson and Grande broke up in October after a few months of dating. The NBC star addressed their split on the Nov. 3 episode of SNL.

The following week Davidson apologized for mocking the appearance of former Navy Seal and Congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw, who lost an eye while serving in Afghanistan.

You can watch this weekend’s SNL Oscars host skit below.