Pete Davidson’s Tattoo Evolution: From Inked Canvas to Clean Slate

Pete Davidson is known for his sharp comedic wit, high-profile relationships, and unique charm. However, one of his most defining features over the years has been his extensive tattoo collection. Spanning nearly 200 tattoos, his body art has served as a canvas for personal expression, tributes to loved ones, and pop culture references. But in recent years, Pete Davidson’s tattoos have undergone a dramatic transformation, with him choosing to remove many of them.

This article examines Pete Davidson’s tattoos, meanings, and surprising decision to erase much of his ink.

The Early Days: Tattoos as Storytelling

Davidson’s tattoo journey began in his teenage years. He used ink to reflect his experiences, struggles, and milestones. Unlike many celebrities who opt for small, hidden tattoos, Pete covered his body with bold, intricate designs that made him instantly recognizable.

1. Tributes to His Father

One of the most significant themes in Davidson’s tattoos is his tribute to his late father, Scott Davidson, a firefighter who tragically died in the September 11 attacks.

• His father’s badge number, 8418, is tattooed on his left arm.
• A firefighter emblem is inked on his shoulder as a permanent tribute.
• He also had a 911-themed tattoo, symbolizing both loss and resilience.

Pete Davidson’s tattoos showcase the deep impact his father’s passing had on his life, shaping both his comedy and his identity.

2. Mental Health and Personal Struggles

Davidson has always been open about his mental health struggles, including his diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Some of his tattoos reflect his journey through therapy, depression, and self-acceptance:

• The phrase “Jokes Come and Go, But Swag is Forever” on his arm represents his philosophy on humor and life.
• A shark tattoo on his chest symbolizes his struggles with anxiety and depression.
• A Winnie the Pooh tattoo is a comforting childhood reference during difficult times.

Through ink, Davidson transformed his pain into art, making his tattoos deeply personal and symbolic.

Pop Culture and Quirky Tattoos

Pete Davidson isn’t just sentimental—he’s also a pop culture enthusiast, and his tattoos prove it. His ink features beloved fictional characters, music idols, and references to his comedic inspirations.

1. TV, Movies, and Cartoons

• A Hillary Clinton portrait – He called Clinton his “hero,” and she even acknowledged it in a tweet.
• Harry Potter tattoos – Davidson has a “Deathly Hallows” symbol and other references to the franchise.
• SpongeBob SquarePants tattoo – A nod to his love for the iconic cartoon.

2. Music and Comedy Icons

• A tribute to Kid Cudi, one of his musical heroes.
• A tattoo that says “Biggie Smalls”, honoring the legendary rapper.
• Quotes from famous comedians, such as Richard Pryor, whose work inspired him early on.

Davidson’s pop culture ink highlights his playful personality and deep appreciation for entertainment.

Tattoos and Relationships

Pete Davidson’s romantic relationships have often been reflected in his tattoos. His tendency to immortalize love through ink has led to some of his most talked-about tattoos—and later, some of his biggest cover-ups.

1. Ariana Grande: Love and Cover-Ups

One of Davidson’s most famous relationships was with pop star Ariana Grande in 2018. Multiple matching tattoos marked their highly publicized engagement:

• “H2GKMO” – Short for “Honest to God, Knock Me Out,” a phrase Ariana frequently used.
• A tiny cloud tattoo – A matching design with Grande.
• A tribute to her late ex, Mac Miller, which he later altered.

After their breakup, Davidson quickly covered or modified these tattoos, marking the end of that chapter in his life.

2. Kim Kardashian: A New Chapter of Ink

During his romance with Kim Kardashian, Davidson once again turned to tattoos to express his affection:

• “My girl is a lawyer” – A tribute to Kim’s law aspirations.
• Kim and her kids’ initials – A deeply personal gesture.

Following their split, Davidson started removing these tattoos, signaling his move away from relationship-inspired ink.

The Decision to Remove His Tattoos

In 2020, Davidson shocked fans by announcing his plan to remove most tattoos. But why?

1. A Professional Shift

Davidson explained that his tattoos made acting roles difficult, requiring hours of makeup and cover-ups.

• He stated that sitting in a makeup chair for 3+ hours to hide tattoos became exhausting.
• As his acting career expanded, removing them became a logical choice.

2. Maturity and Personal Growth

As Davidson entered his 30s, he reassessed his image:

• He no longer wanted tattoos that were “spur-of-the-moment decisions.”
• His removal reflects his journey toward a more mature self-image.

3. The Painful Process of Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal is difficult, and Davidson has been candid about the pain.

• He compared it to “being doused with hot bacon grease.”
• The cost of removing nearly 200 tattoos has reportedly reached over $200,000.
• Multiple laser sessions are required for each tattoo, making it a long and grueling process.

Despite the pain, Davidson is committed to the transformation, gradually erasing much of his past ink.

Where He Stands Now!

As of 2025, Pete Davidson’s skin looks noticeably clearer as he removes his tattoos. However, he has hinted that he might keep a few with deep personal meaning.

His tattoo journey highlights how personal growth, relationships, and career choices can shape self-image over time. From inking meaningful moments to removing them for a fresh start, Davidson’s tattoos reflect the evolving nature of identity.

Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact

How Pete’s Tattoos Became a Trend Among Fans

Pete Davidson’s heavily tattooed look became a defining part of his persona, inspiring many fans to get similar ink. His mix of random doodle-like designs, meaningful tributes, and pop culture references resonated with a younger audience. Social media played a big role, with fans sharing tattoos that matched or mimicked Pete’s.

Some of the most iconic tattoo trends influenced by Pete include:

• Small, handwritten-style tattoos that appear spontaneous.
• Minimalist stick-and-poke style ink.
• Pop culture and comedy-related tattoos, reflecting Pete’s own love for movies, cartoons, and humor.
• Relationship tattoos, inspired by his highly publicized ink for Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian.

The Influence of His Ink on Tattoo Culture in Hollywood

Pete’s tattoos contributed to a shift in Hollywood’s tattoo culture, showing that ink didn’t have to be perfectly designed or deeply symbolic—sometimes, they could be fun, random, and spontaneous. His “messy yet meaningful” tattoo aesthetic influenced other celebrities, normalizing the idea of getting tattoos just for fun.

Hollywood stars who later embraced a similar casual tattoo approach include:

• Justin Bieber, who also has a mix of religious, artistic, and personal tattoos.
• Machine Gun Kelly, with his edgy, scribbled tattoo collection.
• Billie Eilish, who kept her tattoos hidden for years but later embraced the “tattooed celebrity” identity.

Pete also made tattoo regret and removal a public conversation, influencing discussions about how tattoos impact careers in film and TV.

Mixed Reactions from Fans Regarding His Tattoo Removal

Pete’s decision to remove his tattoos sparked debate among fans. While some supported his clean slate journey, others were disappointed to see such a major part of his identity fade away.

🔹 Supportive Reactions:

• Many fans understood his reasons, especially since he cited career limitations (having to spend extra hours covering tattoos for acting roles).
• Some are related to tattoo regret, as styles and meanings evolve over time.
• Others saw it as part of his personal growth and reinvention.

🔹 Disappointed Reactions:

• Some believed Pete’s tattoos were a huge part of his charm and uniqueness, and removing them made him look less like himself.
• Fans who had gotten similar tattoos felt like their ink had lost meaning.
• Some questioned whether it was truly for his acting career or if it was influenced by personal changes (such as past relationships).

Despite the mixed reactions, Pete’s tattoo journey—from inked canvas to clean slate—remains one of the most talked-about transformations in celebrity tattoo culture.

Final Thoughts

Pete Davidson’s tattoo story is one of self-expression, love, and transformation. His body art was a visual diary, documenting his losses, triumphs, and pop culture passions.

Yet, his decision to remove them signals a new chapter in which he embraces change and a clean slate. Whether covered in ink or not, Davidson remains one of Hollywood’s most unique and fearless personalities.