In a candid reflection on his past, Pete Davidson is “burning off” nearly all of his extensive tattoo collection, transforming his body as he embraces adulthood, mental wellness, and a burgeoning acting career, a testament to his profound personal evolution.
Comedian and actor Pete Davidson, known for his distinctive and prolific body art, is embarking on a remarkable journey of self-reinvention by removing nearly all of his estimated 200 tattoos. This decision, as revealed in various interviews, is not merely a cosmetic one but a deeply personal endeavor tied to his growth, mental health, and evolving career aspirations.
Davidson, now 31, has been candid about the “horrible” and prolonged process of tattoo removal. He described it on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night show as involving the burning off of a layer of skin, followed by a healing period of six to eight weeks. Each tattoo requires approximately 12 or more sessions, a commitment that Davidson advises others to “really think about that Game of Thrones tattoo you’re thinking of getting.”
The Painful Path to a Clean Slate
The method Davidson describes aligns with ablative lasers, which are known to burn off the top layer of skin, according to the FDA. This intense process underscores the comedian’s determination to shed his past self, physically and emotionally. Davidson expects the chest and back tattoos to be fully gone by the time he is 40, a timeline he previously hoped would be by 30.
The financial cost of this transformation is also substantial. A source close to the star revealed to People that Davidson has already spent nearly $200,000 on the removal process, indicating the significant investment he is making in his new chapter.
A Reflection of Past Selves: From “Sad Boy” to Adult
Davidson openly admits that many of his tattoos were acquired during a challenging period of his life. “I was a sad boy. It was a weird time,” he shared with Jimmy Fallon. He also joked on Seth Meyers’ show that many decisions were made “before rehab,” leading to what he calls his “dumbest” tattoos.
Among the tattoos Davidson is most eager to see disappear is his “collection of cartoons smoking blunts,” which included “a Muppet smoking a blunt” and “the Tootsie Pop owl smoking a blunt.” He finds these particularly embarrassing, noting the owl commercial predated his time. Other notorious pieces include tributes to former girlfriends, such as a “my girl is a lawyer” tat for Kim Kardashian and the initials of her children, as well as a portrait of Hillary Clinton and homages to Harry Potter.
For Davidson, the tattoo removal is symbolic of becoming an adult. “I’m trying to clean slate it. Trying to be an adult,” he explained, indicating a desire to move past the spontaneous decisions of his younger years.
Career and Personal Growth: The Driving Forces
Beyond personal reflection, Davidson’s acting career has been a significant motivator for the removal. He shared on Seth Meyers’ show in 2021 that covering his tattoos for roles required an extra three hours of makeup, a tedious process he no longer wants to endure. “For some reason, people in movies, they don’t have them that much,” he quipped.
His decision also coincides with a period of profound personal change. Davidson, who is expecting his first child with girlfriend Elsie Hewitt, expressed excitement about becoming a father. He also noted that he has been dedicated to working on his mental health, which he believes is visibly “showing.” As he told Us Weekly, “When I see myself in the mirror, I just see like, you know, poor decision making and I wasn’t there yet as an adult.”
The overall shift in his “vibe” has been positive, a testament to his efforts in self-improvement and embracing a more mature outlook on life. This journey reflects a common theme for many in the public eye who seek to redefine their image as they evolve.
A Look Back at SNL and Imposter Syndrome
Davidson’s career trajectory, marked by his rise on Saturday Night Live, also informs his current perspective. He revealed in the docuseries SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night that he suffered from imposter syndrome early on, even imploring Lorne Michaels to fire him after his first year. It was Bill Hader who recommended Davidson to Michaels, leading to his eight-year tenure on the show.
“I was like, ‘I don’t belong here. Everybody here is so talented and they don’t want to be my friend.’ I was a child,” Davidson recalled. Michaels’ advice that “you don’t figure it out until your third or fourth year” proved correct, highlighting Davidson’s journey from insecurity to established comedian, mirroring his current path of self-acceptance and growth.
Final Thoughts: Keeping a Select Few
Despite the extensive removal, Davidson does plan to keep a select few tattoos. While early reports suggested two or three, he recently confirmed he will keep approximately five. Among those confirmed to stay is his tribute to Hillary Clinton on his leg, a decision that maintains a small piece of his past while embracing a largely uninked future.
Davidson’s journey is a powerful narrative of personal evolution, demonstrating that change, however painful or prolonged, can lead to a deeper sense of self and purpose. His candidness offers a relatable perspective on outgrowing past choices and embracing new stages of life with authenticity.
