Pete Davidson's tattoo removal journey to take "another 10 years" on top of $200,000 already spent on erasing past ink

Pete Davidson has revealed that his decision to remove over 200 tattoos is part of a long personal journey linked to sobriety and self-reflection. In a recent interview, the comedian and actor disclosed that the process began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and is expected to continue for another decade.

The 31-year old said his arms, hands, and neck are already clear, but removal continues on his torso and back. “It’s like putting your arm on a grill and burning off a layer,” he explained, referring to the painful nature of laser treatment. 

The Bupkis star shared that he started getting tattooed at a time when he was struggling with substance abuse and low self-esteem. “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,” he said. Now, seeing the tattoos reminds him of a period he’s eager to leave behind.

While Davidson clarified he holds no judgement against tattoos generally, he noted his own lacked personal meaning. “They should have meaning. Not just that I was high watching ‘Game of Thrones,’” he said, joking about one particular design.

He also revealed that some of his tattoos, including those dedicated to former partners like Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande, are among those being removed. He intends to keep only “two or three” with significant value.

Since his time in rehab in 2024, Davidson has been increasingly open about his efforts to maintain sobriety and prioritise his mental health. According to sources, he has spent around $200,000 on the removal process.