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The 30 Worst Celebrity Tattoos

Here are several reminders to think before you ink.

Whether they're solely decorative or serve a deeper purpose, tattoos can be a beautiful means of expression when done right. Unfortunately, despite their fortune and connections, many celebrities seem to have missed the memo about researching their artists and having someone they trust give their tattoo idea a thumbs up before putting it on their body permanently.

From prison-style stick-and-pokes to the bizarre and badly drawn, these terrible celebrity tattoos will make you grateful for your own ink, or lack thereof. And when you want to see celebrities in an even worse light, check out the 30 Worst Madame Tussauds Celebrity Wax Figures Ever.

1
Louis Tomlinson

Louis Tomlinson
One Direction star Louis Tomlinson has an already-played game of Tic Tac Toe on his arm. And for more bizarre celeb news, check out the 20 Craziest Celebrity Rumors of All Time.

2
Birdman

Rapper Birdman

Yes, rapper Birdman walks around with this star-studded dome. And for more celebrity news, check out the 30 Best Celebrity Baby Names.

3
Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson barbed wire

Just like her 90s action-flick "Barbed Wire," Pamela Anderson's barbed wire arm band hasn't withstood the test of time. And for more Hollywood fun facts, don't miss the 30 Celebrity Names You're Mispronouncing. 

4
Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson

This tribal art on Mike Tyson's face has become nearly as famous as the boxer himself.

5
Megan Fox

Megan Fox

Megan Fox's back tattoo is poorly-paraphrased Shakespeare.

6
Melanie Griffith

Melanie Griffith Antonio tattoo

The tattoo Melanie Griffith got for Antonio Banderas lasted way longer than the relationship, unfortunately.

7
Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci tattoo

Christina Ricci's back is adorned with this funny-looking lion.

8
Mena Suvari

Mena Suvari tattoo

The better part of Mena Suvari's upper back is covered in this tattoo, reading "Word Sound Power."

9
Sophia Bush

Sophia Bush tattoo

Sophia Bush has something that resembles a WiFi strength indicator on her arm. If you're feeling too connected to your own digital devices, These 11 Easy Ways to Conquer Your Smartphone Addiction can help.

10
Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson made the strange choice to decorate her forearm with this sunset.

11
Steveo

Steveo self portrait

What's on Steveo's back? A self-portrait and the words, "Yeah dude, I rock!"

12
Jodie Marsh

Jodie Marsh

British glamor Jodie Marsh has covered her arm in seemingly unrelated black-and-white tattoos.

13
Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne proudly sports this lock, key, and the word "Daddy."

14
Nick Cassavetes

Nick Cassavetes neck

Nick Cassavetes, director of The Notebook, has his ex-wife's name tattooed on his neck.

15
Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere
Jaguar PS/Shutterstock

Hayden Panettiere's tattoo was meant to say "live without regrets," but it's regrettably misspelled. Hayden's tattoo isn't the only scandalous part of her life—her 14 year age gap with hubby Wladimir Klitschko could earn her a spot on our list of the 20 Celebrity Couples With Huge Age Gaps!

16
Bai Ling

Bai Ling tattoo

Bai Ling's back bears this image of a cheetah chasing a rose.

17
Audrina Patridge

Audrina Patridge

Audrina Patridge sports this oversized snake wrapped around an apple on her neck.

18
Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf's fingers read "071 Crew" and give a shoutout to Bakersfield, California.

19
Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran
Shutterstock

Ed Sheeran perplexingly adorned his arm with two faceless people getting down.

20
David Beckham

David Beckham

The tattoo running down the center of David Beckham's forearm is supposed to be his wife's name in Hindi, but it's misspelled. Bad ink or not, David sure makes his 40s look good—as do the 40 Coolest Celebs Over 40!

21
Lena Headey

Lena Headey

Game of Thrones star Lena Headey's back is covered in faded flowers and one big bird. If you want to round the corner into your forties looking youthful like Lena, discover the 20 Secrets of Ageless Celebrities!

22
Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne

Lil' Wayne has three teardrop tattoos, prison shorthand for the number of people someone has killed.

23
Rihanna

Rihanna

Rihanna's French neck tattoo says "flower rebel" instead of "rebellious flower."

24
Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried tattoo

Amanda Seyfried has British slang for vagina tattooed on her foot.

25
Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga's back is decorated with these less-than-professional-looking pieces.

26
Snooki

Snooki Polizzi

Jersey Shore star Snooki has this very angry-looking winged cat on her upper arm.

27
Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy tattoos

Soulja Boy's face is loaded with luxury logos. He has the Bentley logo on his temple and the Gucci logo between his eyes.

28
Rita Ora

Rita Ora tattoo

Rita Ora has this less-than-fresh-looking flower on her hand.

29
Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie

At one point in time, Angelina had this tribute to Billy Bob Thornton inked on her arm. Angie's ink is far from her only claim to fame, however—she's also half of one of the 20 Onscreen Couples Who Dated Off-Screen!

30
Chris Brown

Chris Brown

You may or may not recall that Chris Brown violently abused his one-time girlfriend Rihanna. Here, you'll see that he appears to have a tattoo of a woman with a black eye.

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Sarah Crow
Sarah Crow is a senior editor at Eat This, Not That!, where she focuses on celebrity news and health coverage. Read more
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