Pete Davidson has revealed that he’s working to remove 200 of his tattoos, some of which include tributes to his famous ex-girlfriends, a portrait of Hilary Clinton, and a character from SpongeBob SquarePants. The comedian, known for his extensive tattoos, shared the story behind his decision to erase these tattoos.
Davidson, 31 years old, has spent over $200,000 on tattoo removal, which started as he felt his tattoos no longer fit with his career goals. While he loved his tattoos, he found they became more of a hassle as he transitioned into acting. “In Hollywood, people don’t have many tattoos,” he explained. “It takes a lot of time to cover them up for roles.”
He started getting tattoos in his teenage years and, over time, collected more than 200. His tattoos include personal tributes, like one for his father, a firefighter who died in 9/11, as well as pop culture references and tributes to his exes, including Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande. Davidson himself admitted that many of these tattoos were made before his rehab and he now considers them “the dumbest tattoos.”
As he continues his tattoo removal journey, Davidson shared how challenging it is. It takes at least seven visits per tattoo, and if it’s in color, it takes even longer. The process involves burning off a layer of skin, and it can take months to heal. “Laser removal is far more painful than getting a tattoo,” Davidson joked.
Despite the pain, Davidson is dedicated to removing the tattoos by the time he turns 40. His tattoo removal is also linked to his personal growth and career change. The comedian recently debuted a new look in a photoshoot for a Valentine’s campaign with a sustainable clothing brand.
In the campaign, Davidson appears nearly ink-free and confident, showing off his new appearance. His transformation shows his effort to embrace a more refined image while still staying true to himself.