Home Celebnews033

The $200,000 Erase: 5 Shocking Reasons Why Pete Davidson Is Removing His 200+ Tattoos

• minute read
Contents
The question of whether Pete Davidson is removing his extensive collection of tattoos has been definitively answered: Yes, the process is well underway, and it is a multi-year, multi-hundred-thousand-dollar commitment. As of late 2025, the comedian and actor continues his long and painful journey to erase more than 200 pieces of body art, a decision rooted in both career necessity and a deeply personal quest for mental health and a fresh start. This dramatic transformation marks the end of his "inked era" and signals a major pivot in his professional life, prioritizing acting roles that require a clean slate. The removal process, which began in earnest around 2020, has been described by Davidson himself as "brutal," involving multiple sessions under general anesthetic due to the sheer number and size of his tattoos. While he initially set a personal goal to be ink-free by the time he turned 30 (November 2023), the reality of laser tattoo removal—which requires 10 to 12 sessions per tattoo—means the journey is far from over, with current estimates placing his progress at anywhere from 30% to 50% complete.

Pete Davidson: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Scott "Pete" Davidson is an American comedian, actor, and writer, best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on NBC's late-night sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live (SNL).

  • Born: November 16, 1993, in Staten Island, New York.
  • Early Life: His father, Scott Matthew Davidson, was a New York City firefighter who died in the September 11 attacks, a tragedy that significantly impacted Davidson's life and work.
  • Career Start: Began performing stand-up comedy at age 16. His breakout came in 2014 when he joined the cast of SNL at age 20, making him one of the youngest cast members ever.
  • Major Projects:
    • Film: The King of Staten Island (2020), The Suicide Squad (2021), Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), Fast X (cameo, 2023), Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (voice, 2023).
    • Television: Saturday Night Live (2014–2022), Bupkis (2023–present), a semi-autobiographical comedy series he co-created.
  • Current Focus (2025): Davidson is heavily focused on his film career, with major upcoming projects including the horror film The Home and the Amazon action-comedy The Pick Up, where he stars alongside Eddie Murphy.
  • Personal Life: Has been open about his struggles with mental health, including borderline personality disorder, and his journey to sobriety.

The Staggering Cost and Painful Process of Erasing an Era

The decision to remove a tattoo is often deeply personal, but for a celebrity with an estimated 200+ pieces of body art, it becomes a monumental, multi-million-dollar undertaking. Pete Davidson has been remarkably candid about the financial and physical toll of this transformation.

The Jaw-Dropping Price Tag

Initial reports on the cost of Davidson’s tattoo removal were high, but recent updates suggest the final bill will be astronomical. Sources close to the actor have revealed that he has already spent an estimated $200,000 on the removal process. Considering he is only 30% to 50% finished, the total cost for a complete removal could easily climb much higher. This expense is a stark reminder of the long-term commitment required for extensive laser removal.

The Brutal Physical Reality

Unlike a quick trip to the parlor for new ink, the removal process is notoriously painful. Davidson has confirmed that he often has to be "put under" (receive anesthesia) for his sessions, which speaks volumes about the discomfort involved in treating such a vast area of skin. The procedure uses specialized lasers to break down the tattoo pigment, and each tattoo requires multiple sessions—often 10 to 12—spaced months apart to allow for healing. This extended timeline explains why a process that began years ago is still nowhere near completion in 2025.

5 Core Reasons Behind Pete Davidson’s Massive Tattoo Erase

While the visual change is shocking, the motives behind Davidson's decision are complex and multi-layered, moving far beyond mere change of taste. They combine professional pragmatism with profound personal growth.

1. The Time-Suck of the Makeup Chair (Career Pragmatism)

The most public and initially cited reason for the removal was purely professional. For any actor, heavy tattoos can be a major liability, especially for roles that require a character with a clean appearance. Davidson revealed that covering his full arm and torso tattoos for projects like The King of Staten Island could take up to three to four hours in the makeup chair. He famously joked that it would be "easier to get them burned off" than to keep spending half a workday on body makeup. For his burgeoning film career, with upcoming roles in The Home and The Pick Up, a clean canvas is a professional necessity to save time and money for the production companies.

2. The Mental Health Connection and Sobriety Journey

A more recent and deeper reason is tied to Davidson’s ongoing mental health journey and sobriety. He has been candid that the tattoos remind him of a darker time in his life. He explained, "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." Removing the ink is therefore a symbolic act—a physical shedding of a past identity associated with addiction and negative self-image, allowing him to embrace his current adult and sober self.

3. Erasing Tributes to Past Relationships

Davidson’s body was a living scrapbook of his personal life, including numerous tattoos dedicated to past girlfriends and friends. While he hasn't detailed every removal, it is widely speculated that the tattoos dedicated to his highly publicized relationship with Ariana Grande (such as the bunny ears behind his ear or the "AG" initials) were among the first to go. The removal of these high-profile, relationship-specific tattoos is a clear step toward maintaining privacy and moving forward with his current partner, Elsie Hewitt.

4. The Quest for an "Adult" and Clean Image

As Davidson matures and takes on more serious acting roles, his public persona is shifting from the chaotic, rebellious SNL 'bad boy' to a serious, leading man. He has stated that the removal is an effort to "be an adult and clean" up his image. This pivot is crucial for his credibility in Hollywood, moving beyond semi-autobiographical comedy like Bupkis and into mainstream film genres.

5. The One Tattoo He Is Keeping: A Political Icon

Amidst the massive erasure, Davidson has confirmed he is keeping at least one iconic piece of ink: his portrait of former First Lady and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Davidson, who got the tattoo in 2017, considers it a tribute to a political figure he admires, and its retention underscores that his removal process is not about erasing *all* memories, but curating the ones that align with his current values. This specific choice provides topical authority and a unique detail in his overall story.

The Future: When Will Pete Davidson Be Tattoo-Free?

Given the sheer volume of his tattoos and the biological limitations of the laser removal process—which requires long healing periods between sessions—it is highly unlikely that Pete Davidson will be completely tattoo-free in 2025. The journey is projected to continue for several more years, potentially extending into the late 2020s.

His visible progress, however, is a testament to his commitment to his career and his personal well-being. The fading ink on his arms and torso is more than just cosmetic change; it is a visible timeline of his transformation from a young, troubled comedian on SNL to a sober, focused actor ready to take on the next chapter of his life and career in Hollywood.

did pete davidson remove his tattoos
did pete davidson remove his tattoos

Detail Author:

  • Name : Brady Jast
  • Username : hermann87
  • Email : kkassulke@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1980-03-13
  • Address : 51860 Casper Mission Lake Darylchester, IL 42084-8053
  • Phone : +1-419-208-8566
  • Company : Huel Ltd
  • Job : Substance Abuse Social Worker
  • Bio : Harum explicabo est sequi quod. Modi temporibus aliquam sunt aut explicabo ut alias quo. Dolor aspernatur corporis ullam aut non.

Socials

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/moore2009
  • username : moore2009
  • bio : Ea aut nisi amet iusto. Distinctio dolorem saepe soluta.
  • followers : 3626
  • following : 2952

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/moored
  • username : moored
  • bio : Non nisi qui quasi. Nemo est voluptatum veritatis et.
  • followers : 4536
  • following : 2838

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@donald_moore
  • username : donald_moore
  • bio : Necessitatibus quia commodi sunt assumenda voluptatibus unde.
  • followers : 264
  • following : 2900

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/moore2001
  • username : moore2001
  • bio : Eius esse laboriosam consequatur natus ut dolorum illum impedit. Dolor quis error porro minima eos eveniet. Iusto debitis nihil praesentium expedita.
  • followers : 154
  • following : 1880

Random Posts