Pete Davidson has a love-hate relationship with his tattoos.
The “Saturday Night Live” star is certainly not afraid of ink, having covered nearly his entire body with more than 70 designs — including ones honoring his family, relationships, favorite movies and more.
In 2021, he announced his plan to remove all of his tattoos by the age of 30, but promptly reneged on that promise when he began dating Kim Kardashian at the end of that year.
Not only did Davidson ink “a few tattoos” dedicated to the Skims founder, but he also branded her name on his chest —an unfortunate move, as the pair broke up in August 2022.
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By January 2023, however, Davidson appeared to have started the process of scrubbing himself of those Kardashian-related tats, showing off his bare clavicle during a Hawaiian vacation with new flame (and “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” co-star) Chase Sui Wonders.
Below, see some of Davidson’s most notable tattoos and learn their meanings.
Kim Kardashian
“My girl is a lawyer“
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After Kardashian revealed to Ellen DeGeneres in March 2022 that Davidson had “a few tattoos” in her honor, she posted a photo of her “favorite,” which nodded to her pursuit of a career in law.
In October 2022, Davidson was spotted with a bandage covering that very tat, sparking speculation that he had begun the removal process. By January 2023, the comic appeared to be totally free of his Kardashian-themed ink.
“Kim”
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Though not technically a tattoo, this brand was a clear sign of Davidson’s devotion to Kardashian.
“He wanted to do something that was really different,” the beauty mogul told DeGeneres, adding that the comedian told her of his brand, “I don’t want to be able to get rid of it or to cover it up, and I just wanted it there as a scar on me.”
While the sentiment was meant to be permanent, the January 2023 Hawaiian vacation photos show the brand has since faded, suggesting that Davidson may have undergone scar removal treatments.
“Jasmine” and “Aladdin”
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In adorable poolside selfies posted just a few weeks before the pair split, Davidson showed off two of his buzzed-about tattoo tributes to Kardashian on his collarbone, including the words “Jasmine” and “Aladdin” with an infinity sign in the middle — referring to the couple’s first kiss during an “Aladdin”-themed “SNL” skit in October 2021.
“KNSCP”
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Davidson also inked Kardashian’s first initial alongside those of the four children she shares with Kanye West: North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.
The design stirred up tons of drama, with many on social media condemning the comedian’s decision to involve Kardashian’s kids after dating their mother for less than a year.
D.L. Hughley even chimed in on the discourse, telling TMZ, “The father’s alive, he’s a good father, he’s taking care of these kids. I don’t understand [what] that’s all about.”
Continued the “Hughleys” star, “It’s none of my business, but if you tattoo my kids’ name on your neck, I’d have something to say about it.”
Ariana Grande
“Grande” and a black keyhole
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Before his relationship with Kardashian, Davidson was engaged to Ariana Grande for several months in 2018 — and has multiple tattoos (and cover-ups) to show for it. After inking her last name in large script down his side, for instance, Davidson later covered up the art with a black keyhole.
“Mille tendresse” and “Cursed”
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What started out as a copy of Grande’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” quote turned into a twisted tat, with Davidson declaring himself “cursed” after the breakup.
“Piggy Smallz”
After adopting a pig with Grande named Piggy Smallz, Davidson had the animal’s likeness and name inked on his side by the singer’s go-to tattoo artist, Mira Mariah.
“Dangerous Woman” ears and black heart
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The couple got numerous tiny tats together, including matching cloud tattoos and the words “REBORN” and “H2GKMO” — the latter of which stands for, “honest to God, knock me out” — on their fingers.
He also inked a tribute to Grande’s career behind his ear as well as an “A,” which he eventually covered up with a large black heart.
Ironically, at the same time, Grande covered up the “Pete” tattoo on her left ring finger with a black heart as well.
Family
Kneeling fireman
One of many dedications to his late father Scott Davidson, who was a member of the FDNY and died on September 11, this large portrait of a kneeling firefighter sits on Davidson’s shoulder.
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Fireman’s prayer
Underneath the kneeling firefighter are the words, “Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout,” which comes from a poem called “The Fireman’s Prayer.”
Scott Davidson’s badge number
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He has “8418” in bold font permanently inked on his forearm. In solidarity, Grande had the numbers added to her ankle, but covered them up after their breakup.
Friendships
“Swerve life”
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Davidson got his first-ever tattoo when he was 17 years old: A lyric from Big Sean’s song “Mercy.” Ironically, the rapper later dated Grande in 2014.
“Zeke”
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Real-life BFFs Davidson and Machine Gun Kelly co-starred in the 2019 film “Big Time Adolescence,” which includes a scene in which Kelly’s Nick gives Davidson’s Zeke a tattoo on his right leg. Clearly, the pair didn’t fake it for the cameras.
“We babies”
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Ahead of their joint New Year’s Eve hosting gig in 2021, Miley Cyrus and Davidson revealed that they got matching tattoos of the phrase “we babies,” inspired by a 2017 “SNL” skit in which they played rapping infants.
Idols
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
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The day after appearing in an “SNL” sketch about Ruth Bader Ginsberg in 2018, the comic got the late Supreme Court Justice’s face — complete with a crown — tattooed on his right shoulder.
Hillary Clinton
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After Clinton lost the 2016 election to Donald Trump, Davidson showed his support by inking her portrait on his leg.
“This makes it significantly less awkward that I’ve had a Pete Davidson tattoo for years,” Clinton joked on Instagram when she saw the tribute.
Movies and TV shows
Albus Dumbledore quote
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A massive fan of “Harry Potter,” Davidson has more than one tattoo dedicated to the J.K. Rowling series. Perhaps his largest is a quote from Albus Dumbledore on his left forearm that reads, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
“Redrum”
A notable quote from the 1980 film “The Shining,” Davidson had “murder” inked backwards in red on his right hand before beginning his laser removal process.
“Bada Bing”
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A Staten Island native, it seems only right that Davidson would be a fan of “The Sopranos,” and he has the logo of Tony Soprano’s strip club on his side to prove it.
Rocky Balboa quote
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Another source of inspiration is Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky.” He has a quote from the 2006 film — “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward” — on his back.
“The King of Comedy”
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“Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime” is a quote from Martin Scorsese’s “The King of Comedy,” in which Robert DeNiro plays a struggling stand-up comic.
