Pete Davidson is known for more than just his comedic talents and high-profile relationships—his extensive tattoo collection has also caught the public’s eye. From his bold tribute to Ariana Grande with a Dangerous Woman bunny ears tattoo to the chest ink reading “My Girl is a Lawyer” in homage to Kim Kardashian, Davidson’s tattoos have often reflected his personal life. However, those impulsive ink decisions are now in the rearview mirror.
Since 2020, Davidson has been undergoing the painful process of tattoo removal. In a candid interview with Variety, the former Saturday Night Live star shared the emotional toll of removing his tattoos, admitting that the experience is “pretty horrible” and a constant reminder of his past struggles.
“I used to be a drug addict and I was a sad person, and I felt ugly and that I needed to be covered up,” Davidson explained. “So I’m just removing them and starting fresh, because that’s what I think works best for me and for my brain. When I look in the mirror, I don’t want the reminder of ‘Oh yeah, you were a fucking drug addict. Like, that’s why you have SpongeBob smoking a joint on your back.’”
Davidson also didn’t hold back when describing the physical pain of the removal process, likening it to “putting your arm on a grill and burning off a layer.” He acknowledged the discomfort, stating, “It sucks, I’m not gonna lie.”
As seen in his recent Reformation campaign, the comedian’s arms, hands, and neck are nearly free of tattoos. However, the removal process is far from simple. According to Variety, each tattoo requires 10-12 sessions spread over 60 weeks, a timeline complicated by Davidson’s busy work schedule. The entire process is expected to take another decade to complete and cost him “hundreds of thousands more dollars.”
In a January report from People, sources revealed that Davidson has already spent upwards of $200,000 on his tattoo removal journey. An insider explained that Davidson made the decision to remove the tattoos after a personal awakening. “He just woke up one day and wanted them gone, and it’s been a years-long process,” the insider said. A second source emphasized that this removal is part of Davidson’s broader effort to start fresh—he has been sober since September and has even gained 20 pounds as part of his transformation.
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