Comedian Pete Davidson has candidly shared the story behind his most regretted tattoo during his July 28 interview on Hot Ones. The Saturday Night Live star discussed why he chose to cover up the ink, shedding light on a turning point in his years-long tattoo removal process.
Davidson, now 31, revealed the tattoo in question was an early piece he got in his late teens, inspired by a memorable moment with fellow comedian Dave Chappelle at a comedy club known as the Knitting Factory. At the time, Davidson was performing a set in front of Chappelle, who was quietly returning to the comedy scene after a hiatus. After the set, Chappelle complimented Davidson and shared some advice that resonated with the younger comedian.
How a Comedy Club Encounter Led to an Unforgettable Tattoo
During the interview, Davidson said,
“I’ve never admitted this because it’s so humiliating,”
referencing the tattoo he got inspired by Chappelle’s words. He recalled,
“But when I was like 20 at a comedy club, it might have been the Knitting Factory when Hannibal Buress used to run it, I did a set. I was like 19 or 20, and [Dave] Chappelle was in the corner.”
The encounter left a lasting impression given that Chappelle’s official return to comedy was not yet public knowledge.
Davidson recounted their brief exchange:
“I got off stage and he was like, ‘I watched your whole set. It was really good.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, thanks! How do you keep coming up with new stuff? I’m working on new stuff and it’s difficult,’ And he goes, ‘Jokes come and go, but swag is forever.’ And guess who got that tattooed on his chest?”
The Tattoo That Didn’t Age Well
The tattoo, featuring the phrase
“Jokes come and go, but swag is forever,”
was etched onto the upper left side of Davidson’s chest. While initially a tribute to his comedic inspiration, the tattoo soon became a source of regret. Davidson admitted he covered it with a large image of a shark from the film Jaws, opting for a bold design to mask the earlier ink.
He joked about the cover-up, saying,
“I covered it with Jaws because I needed something huge to black it out. It was pretty bad, dude. But he was like my idol—he still is, but…that’s so dumb. I could’ve just told people he said that to me. Also, when you see that, you think I thought of it.”
Ongoing Tattoo Removal Journey and Challenges
Davidson is nearly five years into removing numerous tattoos, some part of a larger collection that once numbered over 200. He began focusing on his torso last March as part of the extensive removal process. Describing the treatments to Page Six, he explained the difficulty involved.
“They burn off your skin and then you’ve got to do it 10 more times,”
he said.
“They just put me to sleep which is kind of nice but if it’s just the arm, I try to listen to stuff or talk to the nurse.”
Other Celebrities Showcasing Their Tattoos
While Davidson’s story highlights tattoo regret and removal, many other celebrities continue to embrace their body art, marking significant moments in their lives.
JoJo Siwa unveiled new tattoos in June 2024 hinting at upcoming music projects. Her tattoo artist teased this development, stating,
“Her new album cover brought to life in ink.”
Elle King honored the important men in her life in April 2024 with a tattoo on her rear, writing on Instagram,
“I always said I’d get my baby daddys name tattooed on my butt…so I did,”
and,
“I got ‘brethren’ for the men helping me raise my son. I love you guys so much, I wouldn’t want to do life without yall.”
In August 2023, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker commemorated his 30th flight since surviving a 2008 plane crash with a tattoo saying Time Flies. Twilight star Taylor Lautner and his wife received matching tattoos in March 2023 to honor their wedding date.
Jason Momoa, after shaving his hair, revealed a new head tattoo in September 2022 described as being “20 years in the making.” Amanza Smith from Selling Sunset added a face tattoo reading invincible in April 2022. Shawn Mendes debuted a tattoo on the back of his neck in March 2022.
Game of Thrones alum Maisie Williams added symbolic ink to honor her character Arya Stark following the final season, while Emilia Clarke permanently inked a dragon tattoo on her wrist post-filming. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner symbolized their romance with matching Toy Story tattoos before their separation.
Significance of Davidson’s Tattoo Reflection
Pete Davidson’s openness about his tattoo regret underscores the personal and sometimes painful nature of body art decisions, especially for public figures. His willingness to share the story behind his “swag is forever” tattoo and the lengths he’s gone to cover and remove it reveal a journey of self-expression, growth, and change. This candid insight into his tattoo removal process may resonate with fans and others considering permanent ink, illustrating that what once seemed meaningful can evolve over time.
As Davidson continues his removal treatments, his story remains a reminder of the complexities behind celebrity tattoos, the influence of role models, and the sometimes unpredictable consequences of youthful choices.
