S Poddar
Pete Davidson recently made an appearance at a pre-Super Bowl party, showing that his once heavily tattooed arms are now almost bare. The 31-year-old comedian was spotted at Michael Rubin’s Fanatics bash in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX, wearing a short-sleeved shirt that showed off his fading tattoos—or what’s left of them. His tattoo removal process has been long and expensive, reportedly over $200,000.
Over four years ago, Davidson started undergoing laser tattoo removal, which coincides with his sober lifestyle. Wanting to remove all of his ink before turning 40, he has remained dedicated to the grueling process. The light blue Staten Island FerryHawks graphic T-shirt he wore on the star-studded night at The Sugar Mill completed his laidback look. He completed this with black and white basketball shorts, matching sneaker outfits, and quiet shades of muted green, very high socks. Additional accessories to include were the all-white Café du Monde hat, the gold pendant neck ring, black eye glasses, watch, black pack, one coffee from French Market in his one hand and his cigar on another.
The event was packed with celebrities, and Davidson was spotted posing for a photo alongside former basketball star Jalen Rose. Despite his casual appearance, his nearly bare arms were a noticeable change from his heavily inked past. Over the years, Davidson became known for his extensive collection of tattoos, which once numbered over 200. Many of them held personal meaning, while others were spontaneous decisions made in his younger years.
Earlier this week, he described the process of removing his tattoos on Late Night with Seth Meyers. When asked if he had any idea how long it would take before all his ink will be removed, he said he hadn’t but thought it would be less than ten years. “No, I didn’t realize it would take—like, when I’m 40, it’ll all be gone, like the chest and the back,” he told Meyers.
He explained that each tattoo takes multiple sessions with weeks of healing time in between. “It’s at least seven visits,” he said, adding that black-and-white tattoos are easier to remove than colored ones, which take significantly longer. When asked if there was any particular tattoo he was relieved to be rid of, he didn’t hesitate. “All of them,” he said bluntly. “Well, I made a lot of those decisions when, you know, before rehab. So I got the dumbest tattoos.” He said some of his worst included a collection of cartoon characters smoking blunts and an image of The Muppets alongside “the Tootsie Pop owl,” which he found strange since he wasn’t old enough to have seen the original commercial.
A source recently spilled that Davidson had a sudden epiphany over his tattoos. “He just woke up one day and wanted them gone, and it’s been a years-long process,” they said. Another insider claimed that his tattoo removal is just part of a much bigger personal overhaul. “He has been sober since September and gained twenty pounds. Things are really going well for him,” the source added, noting that Davidson is embracing a fresh start.
Throughout his career, Davidson has been open about his struggles with mental health, addiction, and personal growth. His tattoos once served as an artistic outlet, with many symbolizing significant moments in his life, relationships, and career milestones. However, as he moves forward, he’s choosing a different path—one that doesn’t involve permanent ink.
His tattoo removal is also a public image change for him. A rebel with the tattoos, the change in appearance by Davidson portrays the change in his lifestyle and priorities. As far as career is concerned, he is all set to see his latest movie, Dog Man, hit theaters soon. It is a common observation that Davidson has undergone quite a transformation throughout his career. Thus, removal of tattoos becomes part of the change towards the healthier and polished future.
While the process is far from over, Davidson remains dedicated to achieving a clean slate. With nearly a decade left before his self-imposed deadline of 40, he’s making steady progress. For now, though, his fading ink tells the story of a man who is actively shaping his future, one laser session at a time.
