Tattoos have become far more accepted in recent years, especially among celebrities who have the freedom to get inked without worrying about societal judgment.
From Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa, who are known for their countless tattoos, to bold, wacky designs that no one else would dare to get, the world of celebrity ink has been filled with some seriously bizarre choices.
Many of these tattoos have entered pop culture history—think of David Beckham’s 'Brooklyn' tattoo on his lower back for his first-born Brooklyn Beckham or Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson’s massive tribal tattoo on his chest.
However, there are a few standout tattoos that are so out-there, we can’t help but marvel at their audacity.
Some have even become iconic, despite the fact that they may not be the best decisions in hindsight.
Mike Tyson’s Tribal Face Tat
Mike Tyson’s tribal face tattoo has become one of the most iconic in the celebrity world. Despite its controversial nature, it remains one of the most recognized tattoos in history. It’s one of those rare cases where a seemingly bad tattoo transcends its initial criticism and becomes iconic.
Cody Rhodes’ Giant Neck Tat
WWE superstar Cody Rhodes made a regrettable decision when he allowed his logo to become a huge tattoo on his neck. He later admitted that he didn’t properly visualize the design until it was finished, and now he’s stuck with a giant, rather absurd tattoo climbing up his neck.
Drake’s LeBron Tat
Drake’s tattoo of LeBron James from his high school days might’ve been well-done at the time, but the relationship between the two has since soured, making the ink seem a little more awkward in hindsight. It’s a case of unfortunate timing for what was once a celebratory tribute.
T-Pain’s Facebook Like
While T-Pain is generally beloved for his music, his tattoo of a Facebook "Like" button is a head-scratcher. The ink says “You Don’t Have to Like Me” and incorporates the "Like" button from the social media platform. While we may never understand the inspiration behind it, it’s certainly one of the strangest tattoos in the celebrity world.
Birdman’s Five Stars
Birdman, known for his nickname "Five Star Stunna," took this moniker to the extreme by getting five pointy red stars tattooed on his bald head. It’s certainly one way to display your confidence, but it’s also a permanent commitment to a nickname that might not have the same significance later on.
Steve-O’s Back Tat of Himself
Steve-O is known for his outrageous stunts, but the tattoo of his own face on his back might be the most ridiculous. The sheer insanity of tattooing your own face for all to see is on par with his many other over-the-top acts. If anyone could pull it off, it’s Steve-O.
Tekashi 6ix9ine’s ‘69’ Tats
Tekashi 6ix9ine is no stranger to questionable tattoo choices, and his numerous ‘69’ tattoos across his body are a prime example. The rapper decided to ink the number everywhere, making it an undeniably bold, and somewhat excessive, display of his persona.
Kerwin Frost’s Face Pencil
Kerwin Frost is known for his outlandish fashion choices, but the pencil inked on his face takes the cake. This was his first tattoo, which he got at 14 years old, and it’s hard to argue that it’s not as bold as it is strange. The school pencil on his cheek fits his style, but that doesn’t make it any less shocking.
Ja Rule’s Navel ‘Loki’
Back in 2006, Ja Rule had plans to change his name to Loki, the Marvel villain. He even got the name tattooed on his navel, making this ink a permanent reminder of a world that never came to be. While the tattoo might seem a little odd now, it’s still one of the most memorable celebrity tattoos.
Post Malone’s ‘Always Tired’ Under His Eyes
Post Malone’s “Always Tired” tattoo under his eyes is iconic for its sheer honesty. While it’s clear that the artist is being true to his feeling of exhaustion, getting it permanently inked on his face might not have been the best move. Maybe some extra sleep would've sufficed?
Machine Gun Kelly’s Upper Body Blackout
Machine Gun Kelly, known for his array of tattoos, decided in 2024 to black out his entire upper body and arms. While the intention behind the dramatic ink remains unclear, the result is a jarring look that has sparked plenty of conversation. It was no doubt painful, but it’s certainly one of the most unique tattoos in the industry.
Lil Wayne’s ‘Fear God’ Eyelid
Lil Wayne is no stranger to controversial tattoos, but his ‘Fear God’ eyelid tattoo takes the cake. While it's nearly impossible to see unless his eyes are closed, the idea of getting your eyelid tattooed is mind-boggling—especially since it must have been excruciatingly painful.
Ben Affleck’s Large Phoenix Back Tat
Ben Affleck's phoenix tattoo is arguably one of the most famous—and controversial—celebrity tattoos of all time. The massive mythical bird was unveiled in 2015, with immediate backlash from everyone around him. Jennifer Lopez called it "awful," while his ex-wife Jennifer Garner jokingly said, "You know what we would say in my hometown about that? ‘Bless his heart.’” Even his best friend Matt Damon didn’t hold back, saying, “It’s not one man’s job to tell another man what he can do to his back." Affleck later admitted the tattoo was real, not for a movie role, and defended the design, even as it became a symbol of his tumultuous public persona.
Ed Sheeran’s Colourful Upper Body
Ed Sheeran is known for his extensive tattoo collection, but what makes his ink stand out is the sheer number of colorful designs he has on his upper body. While his fans adore them, even his tattoo artist has admitted that the tattoos are "sh*t." Sheeran’s colorful tattoos were prominently on display in his “Shape of You” music video, making them even more iconic.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ