Just a month after meeting, Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson reportedly got engaged. But what are the implications of them rushing into a relationship? asks Marchelle Abrahams.
When singing sensation Ariana Grande announced her engagement earlier this week, her fans were taken by complete surprise.
The 24-year-old pop star first raised eyebrows when she went Instagram official with new boyfriend, Saturday Night Live's Pete Davidson, just weeks after she announced her split from Mac Miller.
Not one to shy away from confrontation, the singer hit back at social media trolls who criticised her for ending her relationship with Miller.
“How absurd that you minimise female self-respect and self-worth by saying someone should stay in a toxic relationship because he wrote an album about them, which btw (by the way) isn't the case (just Cinderella is ab [about] me),” she responded.
Before ending things with the rapper and producer, many were not privy to the goings-on of their romance, until now. Grande alluded to her struggle of supporting his sobriety over the years, as he tried to overcome his addiction demons. She commented on social media: “I am not a babysitter or a mother, and no woman should feel that they need to be.”
READ: Ariana Grande moves in with fiancé Pete Davidson
Compared to Miller and his history of addiction and drugs, it's not hard to see why Grande would be attracted to someone like Pete Davidson.
Age 24 (the same age as Grande), he's a low-key sort of guy who made his name on the comedy circuit before taking up residence on Saturday Night Live. A quick Google search shows he's as lilly white as they come - except for his list of ex girlfriends, including Girl Code star Carly Aquilino. The two dated briefly for a year in 2014.
Below: That massive diamond would be hard to miss. Pictures: Instagram
Grande also had her fair share of failed romances. Her list of exes include Big Sean and Nathan Sykes. Some could argue it's about time she has her happy ending, and that could include the likes of Davidson.
Upon hearing the engagement news, a friend told Entertainment Tonight: “(Ariana was in a) bad past relationship, and now she is with someone who appreciates her and makes her laugh and just makes her feel good. In relationships, Pete is known to be the caring one and the full steam ahead guy. He is not shy about who he likes and, like with Ariana, is very public.”
Yes, so public that he gave her a teardrop diamond engagement ring. According to the Daily Mail, it's a massive sparkler that's hard to miss. Apparently, the ring is worth $93 000 (about R1.2m) and was made specifically for Grande by New York City jeweller Greg Yuna.
Well, what girl can say no to a proposal like that?
Whether you believe in fate or love at first sight, you have to admit getting engaged just a month after hooking up seems a bit extreme?
What's that saying? Young love runs free, but fools also rush in.
Common wisdom advises against rebound relationships for obvious reasons.
The couple made their debut at the end of May. Picture: Instagram screen-shot
But a study suggests otherwise. “Less time between a break-up and a new relationship generally predicts greater well-being, higher self-esteem, and more respect for a new partner,” Brumbaugh and Fraley noted in their 2014 study on rebound relationships.
What about rushing in, head first? At the beginning stages, both partners are on their best behaviour. You don't really know each other that well? Things change once personalities clash.
Relationship expert and self-help author Bree Maresca-Kramer says the temptation to rush into a new relationship is a mistake many unknowingly make. “In the beginning, everything feels so great due to the chemicals and hormones being released in the brain. It is a time when the other person ‘appears’ absolutely perfect in every way,” she notes.
But this could be the reason why new couples never go the distance.
“When the brain chemicals settle down, and the new partner is ‘seen’ with realistic eyes, many are left disappointed by the harsh reality and run away from the relationship.
“Therefore, taking your time and understanding that each person has his or her own individual quirks, idiosyncrasies, and even baggage is important in avoiding the buyer’s remorse part of a new relationship.”
There is the exception to the rule. Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden tied the knot after just 7 months - they were engaged for 17 days.
But then again, Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee got married 4 days after meeting. Their union only lasted 3 years.
At the end of the day, Grande and Davidson are young and in love. No one can fault them on that. And who knows, it's probably true love. Let's hope they don't just become another tabloid headline filed under Hollywood failed romances.