Pete Davidson reveals dark truth behind tattoo removal after sharing eye-watering amount he spent on it
Topics: Celebrity, Pete Davidson
Gregory Robinson
Featured Image Credit: Steven Ferdman/WireImage
Topics: Celebrity, Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson is undergoing a very expensive transformation as he reflects on his past.
The comedian, who was once inked from head to toe, has been removing his tattoos for the past five years, splashing out thousands of dollars on the long and 'horrible' process.
The arduous journey started in 2020 and his body art included tributes to his ex-girlfriends Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian, plus multiple art pieces dedicated to Harry Potter.
His shift into acting and filmmaking spurred the change, and in May 2021, the former SNL star told Seth Meyers during an appearance on the latter’s Last Night talk show that he had to show up to set three hours early just so make-up artists could hide his tattoos.
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At one point he had 200 different designs etched onto his body.
So how much has he spent removing them so far?
“It’s a pretty uncomfortable amount of money to disclose,” he admitted in an interview with Variety.
“I’ve already spent like $200K and I’m like 30 percent done. So, like, it’s gonna suck.”
Davidson believes he’ll be spending a lot more in the next decade.
“I started during COVID in 2020 and it’s gonna take me another 10 years,” he shared. “My arms are pretty much gone, and my hands and neck are gone. But I still have to do my torso and back.”
He also explained how he slots in the procedures around his work. “I have to plan it in between work because it’s a six-week healing process each time you get one removed. Each tattoo is 10 to 12 sessions. That's 60 weeks of your life right there on just one tattoo to remove. So, it’s pretty horrible.”
Davidson has sought treatment for mental health and addiction struggles in the past and he touched on this when explaining why he’s getting his tattoos removed.
“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.
“And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with tattoos, but mine, when I look at them, I remember a sad person that was very unsure."
He continued: “When I look in the mirror, I don't want the reminder of ‘Oh yeah, you were a f**king drug addict. Like, that’s why you have SpongeBob smoking a joint on your back.
"They should have meaning.”