"I have been fooling everyone": Pete Davidson reflects on confidence and how his "shi**y childhood" shaped him 

Pete Davidson is pulling back the curtain on his self-confidence, and it's not exactly what it seems.

In an exclusive tell-all with PEOPLE, the Saturday Night Live alum revealed the truth behind his outward personality and how it’s shaped by a tough past.

"If you guys think I have confidence, I have been fooling everyone.”

The comedian got candid, disclosing that his childhood had a major influence on his mentality.

“It's so difficult to say anything in print and not be afraid to come across the wrong way. But I had a really shi**y childhood and like the worst thing that ever could have happened to me, happened to me when I was seven."

His father, Scott Matthew Davidson, was a New York City firefighter who tragically died in the 9/11 attacks when Pete was just seven years old. The Staten Island native has spoken about the loss of his father numerous times, honoring his memory through interviews and social media.

Since that devastating incident, Davidson’s perspective on life has undergone a major shift.

“I've kind of just been like, “F**k it. Like who the f**k cares?'"

The Bupkis actor has learned the hard way that putting others' needs before his own often leaves him feeling empty. He also admitted that he’d fallen into the same trap before, saying:

“Trying to be of service to others and not take care of myself, and like just try people please.”

Meanwhile, these days, Davidson's approach is a lot more personal.

“At the end of the day, it's like your family matters and your two or three friends that you have matter. Everybody else can go f**k themselves.”

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He added with a sense of newfound freedom:

“And you don't have to put all this pressure on yourself."

For Davidson, this more laid-back mentality is relatively new, but it’s a game-changer.

“This is sort of newer for me. But I think it kind of shows if you see me now... it's a little different because I went through something pretty tough."

He went on:

“I just think who cares what people you don't even know think? Like who the f**k cares? You don't know them."

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Pete Davidson on managing anxiety: “No one gives a f**k about you”

In his conversation with PEOPLE, Davidson shared an insightful piece of advice from a close friend that has helped him manage his anxieties. He recalled:

“I was feeling really bad about... I just thought this certain celebrity didn't like me. It was a couple of years ago, and my friend, who I've been friends with forever said, ‘Hey man, no one is thinking about you like that. No one gives a f**k about you.'"

The Bodies Bodies Bodies star added:

"'Everyone is just thinking about themselves and the only thing people want from you is when they see you on TV, they want to laugh. That's it. Everyone's so wrapped up in their own s**t, so don't worry about it'."

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