Pete Davidson has shared a wise word of caution to those contemplating a new tattoo, as he reflects on the daunting task of removing his own. Best known for his role on Saturday Night Live, Pete once sported approximately 200 tattoos.
The journey of tattoo regret resonates with more than 25 percent of Americans, according to Psychology Today, and the comedian is no exception. The diverse collection of tattoos covering his body included a memorable tribute to an ex-girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, with the words ‘MY GIRL IS A LAWYER’.
More personal still, Pete had tattoos that paid homage to Kardashian’s children with her ex-husband Kanye West. However, he has now embarked on a mission to erase nearly all of these inked memories from his skin.
In 2020, Pete expressed his desire to remove some tattoos, and last year, he showcased some results on Saturday Night Live, astonishing fans with the absence of his distinguishing forearm designs.
He discussed this process in a recent appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s show, lamenting the arduous nature of tattoo removal. “I’ve been burning them off,” Davidson explained. “They’re almost gone,” he added, describing the procedure as “horrible” and even more painful than getting tattooed. Each session requires “burning off” a layer of skin, necessitating a six to eight week healing period, avoiding sunlight, and undergoing as many as 12 rounds.
In jest yet sincerity, Pete advised the audience, “So really think about that Game of Thrones tattoo you’re thinking of getting.” Reflecting further, he refers to himself as a ‘sad boy’ during the period when he accumulated nearly 200 tattoos, describing it as “a weird time” as tattoos were wildly popular just a few years back.
Despite his efforts to clean up his canvas, Pete admits he might keep ‘maybe two or three’, without specifying which ones, noting his intentions are to “clean slate it” and approach life with a more mature outlook. Known for his past engagement to pop star Ariana Grande, the 31-year-old is turning a new leaf.
The conversation with Fallon transitioned to Pete’s long-standing history with Saturday Night Live, celebrating its 50th anniversary in February, where Pete has graced the stage since the youthful age of 20. His candidness about receiving approximately $3,000 per episode brought a light-hearted remark about spending the earnings on dinner.
