A lot of people were shocked when Pastor Charles Ellis III groped Ariana Grande's breast at Aretha Franklin's funeral on August 31. Although the preacher already issued a public apology, fans wanted to know the reaction of the 25-year-old star's fiancé, Pete Davidson.
According to Hollywood Life, Davidson felt horrified that he couldn't do anything to save Grande from Ellis' hand at the time. The 24-year-old comedian was seated with the audience when the incident happened.
To recall, Grande paid tribute to the late Franklin when she sang the Queen of Soul's hit song, "Natural Woman." Later, Ellis called her on stage and called her as an "icon herself." He then wrapped his arm around her while his hand was beside her breast and continuously touched her. Although the pastor claimed it was unintentional, the "God is a Woman" hitmaker looked surprised and uncomfortable.
Grande was clearly "upset and agitated" as Ellis held her tight and the way he clutched to her. The "Bang Bang" singer tried to push her body away from him, but he continued to grasp her on the side of her breast.
"What should have been a tribute to the life of Aretha Franklin has become a whole different thing," a source told the publication. What Ellis did to Grande resulted in an unnecessary scene. So Davidson was reportedly mad as he saw Grande seemed very uncomfortable.
"Pete wanted to go up on stage and save her but things happened so fast, and he didn't want to make it more of a scene then it was when everyone was there for Aretha," the insider continued to say. He was caught between a "rock and a hard place," and did not know what to do. However, he wanted everyone to move on from that incident and remember the sole purpose of their attendance was to give honor to Franklin's life.
Ellis, on the other hand, issued a formal apology and told the Associated Press it would never be his intention to touch Grande's breast, let alone any woman. The preacher explained he did not notice he had put his arm around Davidson's fiancé. He went on to say he might have crossed the border and went too "friendly or familiar," but he was sorry for what happened.
Meanwhile, aside from Ellis, people also talked about how Bill Clinton allegedly reacted when Grande performed "Natural Woman." At the time, the "No Tears Left to Cry" singer donned a "super short black mini dress" that exposed the top of her thighs. Allegedly, the former President of the United States stared at her backside when he was seated behind her. However, Davidson did not care about Clinton's reaction as he could "joke it off."
