Ariana Grande's extensive collection of tattoos, totalling a whopping 61 pieces, has left fans scratching their heads. The pop sensation and actress has been spotted both with and without her various inkings on different occasions.
The 32-year-old star's impressive body art includes symbolic pieces and tributes to her career, as well as tattoos inspired by her favourite films and characters, such as Evee from Pokemon and designs from Harry Potter. Some of her tattoos also reflect her past relationships, including several dedicated to her ex Pete Davidson and her former husband Dalton Gomez.
After their breakups, she had most of these covered up with new designs. Her most recent divorce was finalised earlier this year after three years of marriage.
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However, it's her butterfly tattoos that have caused the most confusion. They've been seen in some photos but seem to vanish in others.
For instance, they were absent at the 2024 Oscars, although her other arm tattoos were on display. At the Met Gala in May, they were barely visible, appearing faded, reports the Mirror.
Then again, at the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards in October, she was seen on the red carpet with faint butterfly and upper arm tattoos, while the ones on her hands were clearly visible.
They were also missing when she filmed her role as Glinda in Wicked, suggesting they may have been concealed with heavy makeup rather than removed entirely.
In a makeup tutorial for Vogue in September, Ariana Grande revealed she'd inked a tribute to her Wicked character, Glinda. She described this period as "deeply special and transformative", amid her split from husband Dalton Gomez.
In an earlier chat with Allure, the pop star disclosed that she got the tattoo while filming Wicked, calling it: "One of the most deeply special and transformative and fulfilling experiences of my creative life in London [from] the past year and a half."
Among Ariana's tattoos dedicated to ex Pete Davidson is one in his handwriting, reading 'always' on her ribs. She later partially covered it with a leaf design, captioning an Instagram snap of it: "Not a cover up just evolvin'."
Relationship guru Louella Alderson analysed the meaning behind her tattoos for the Mirror, saying: "The tattoo is likely reflective of her love and appreciation for the incredible experience she had while shooting" and added: "It's possible that the tattoo of Glinda also serves as an artistic reminder of how Ariana has grown in her own life."
The expert further explained: "Ariana has been known to get tattoos in honour of significant moments in her life. She's previously got multiple tattoos dedicated to her loved ones, such as her grandfather, her dogs and where she grew up. Therefore, it's likely that this tattoo is a tribute to the transformative and fulfilling time she had filming Wicked."
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