Comedian Pete Davidson and musician Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) revealed their experiences with bipolar disorder and addiction during the January 30 debut episode of Davidson’s Netflix video podcast, filmed in his garage. The two longtime friends discussed how their bipolar episodes often occur in alternating cycles, providing mutual support through manic phases and rehab stays, highlighting the importance of their bond in managing their mental health.
A Mutual Journey Through Mental Health Battles
MGK, whose real name is Colson Baker, shared that a friend once told him,
“I’m proud to see how you’ve grown,”
prompting Davidson to respond,
“I think we both thought we were going to die pretty young.”
Davidson added,
“I’m equally impressed by both of us [that we’ve] been able to keep it going.”
Despite the hardships they have faced while sober, both men emphasized their ability to handle struggles pragmatically, often downplaying concerns as “it’s fine.”
MGK pointed out,
“I realized through our friendship … our bipolar has synced up because every time I’m having a manic episode, you’re good, and every time you’re having one, I’m good, the,”
signaling the way their mental states seem to balance one another. Davidson deadpanned,
“Yeah, it’s really good for our suicide pact,”
to which MGK replied,
“It always goes back and forth.”
Davidson added,
“Thank God, because we would be dead for sure,”
reinforcing how their alternating moods contribute to their survival. MGK elaborated,
“Because every time I call, you’re super mellow, and every time you call, I’m super mellow. So it just like goes back and forth.”
From Humble Backgrounds to Shared Redemption
Both Davidson and MGK reflected on their tough beginnings and their transformation. MGK described their paths as
“coming-of-age stories and redemption stories and, like, almost like the phoenix rose from ashes. We come from sh—y circumstances. We come from nothing.”
Their journeys have been marked by similar battles with addiction and efforts to recover through rehab.
Davidson entered treatment first in July 2023 and again in July 2024, openly discussing his continuous fight with sobriety and mental health. MGK revealed that in 2024, after attending rehab, he had achieved sobriety. The artist humorously noted,
“I just thought it was funny that we’re always calling each other from rehab. We never go at the same time,”
with Davidson confirming,
“We never go at the same time, but we usually both need it. The other one needs it while the other one is in it, and we’ll take, like so, so many notes.”
Commitment to Sobriety Fueled by Family
On the podcast, Davidson mentioned it took him
“like, nine, ten times to go to rehab and get all the skills”
needed to maintain sobriety. MGK acknowledged this and complimented Davidson’s progress by saying,
“You’ll go and just get all the skills … and like I’m not saying it’s easy for you, like it’s tough, hard work, but like, you just don’t waste any time.”
MGK described that his motivation partly comes from his family life, referring to his daughters Casie Colson Baker, 15, with ex Emma Cannon, and Saga, 10 months, with actress Megan Fox. He reminded Davidson of his own responsibilities, telling him,
“Now you got high stakes because you have a kid,”
referring to Davidson’s daughter Scottie, born in December with his girlfriend Elsie Hewitt.
Strengthening Bonds to Manage Impulsivity
Toward the end of their conversation, Davidson shared that both friends have improved at reducing impulsive behaviors through communication, highlighting how important their connection is in coping.
“We’re getting better at taking a second and then just calling you,”
Davidson said.
“You’re the one friend I have that gets it, what I’m going through.”
