Demi Lovato got their first tattoo when they were 16, and they’ve been adding to the collection ever since. Over the years, Lovato has gotten classic one-word designs as well as script tattoos, and as she’s continued in her career, she’s progressed to larger, more realistic portraits on places like their head, ribcage, and even their hands.
Similarly to their tattoo of the word “free,” Lovato’s pieces are known for having a deeper meaning. In January 2022, she revealed a spider tattoo on the side of their head, which she later shared was inspired by the Cherokee folktale called “Grandmother Spider Brings the Light.” “It was Grandmother Spider who taught us many things,” Lovato wrote on their Instagram Stories. “She taught us about pottery and weaving. She taught us about fire and light and dark. She taught us that we are all connected on the web – each of us having our place in this world.”
It seems that for Lovato, tattoos act as a testament to life’s experiences, especially as they’ve opened up about their journey to sobriety. Back in 2019, they got the word “survivor” on their neck after experiencing a nearly fatal overdose the year before. Since then, Lovato has added numerous other designs to their body-art collection, so we compiled all of their known ink to date.
Read ahead to see all of Demi Lovato’s tattoos and learn their meanings.
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Demi Lovato's "You Make Me Beautiful" Dreamcatcher Tattoo
Lovato’s first tattoo was “you make me beautiful” in cursive on their right rib cage, which she got before turning 18 years old. She’s shared that it comes from a song. Shortly after, they got a dreamcatcher added to the design. It features intricate bead details and three more feathers in a red shade.
Getty / Paul Archuleta
Demi Lovato's "III" Tattoo
The singer got the number three in Roman numerals on the side of their wrist to commemorate their father, who passed away in June 2013.
Getty Images /Jon Kopaloff
Demi Lovato's "Stay Strong" Tattoo
Lovato got the words “Stay Strong” on their wrists after they completed rehab for bipolar disorder, addiction, and eating disorders in 2011.
Getty / David Livingston
Demi Lovato's "Faith" Tattoo and 12 Birds Tattoo
In “Stay Strong,” a documentary Lovato recorded after their stay in rehab, Lovato revealed that she got the word “faith” inked right below her elbow with Lauren Martin, a friend they met during treatment.
Demi’s 12 birds on their outer forearm were brought to life by Kat Von D. They symbolize the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Getty Images / Frazer Harrison / Frazer Harrison/AMA2015
Demi Lovato's "Now I'm a Warrior" Tattoo
The singer and former Disney star has the words “now I’m a warrior” on the back of their right shoulder. They’re lyrics from “Warrior,” the closing song from “Demi,” their self-titled 2013 album.
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Demi Lovato's Africa Tattoo
After celebrating her 21st birthday in Africa, Lovato inked her inner upper forearm with the continent’s outline to commemorate the missionary trip she took to Kenya.
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Demi Lovato's 2 Roses Arm Tattoo
You might remember Lovato covered up what they called their “vagina tattoo” with two gray and black roses by artist Bang Bang. The original ink was actually of a lip print.
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Demi Lovato's "Me" Tattoo
In 2019, Lovato revealed a tattoo that read “me,” dedicated to loving themself.
Getty / Amanda Edwards
Demi lovato's "Let Go & Let God" Tattoos
Lovato has the words “Let go & Let God” across their feet. They’ve never publicly spoken about the tattoo’s meaning, but we think it’s safe to assume it has to do with their Christian faith.
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Demi Lovato's Roman Numeral Dates Tattoo
Yet another roman numeral tattoo for Lovato, this one is a long list of birthdays on their side, each representing a close family member. From top to bottom: mom Dianna de la Garza (Aug. 8, 1962); older sister Dallas Lovato (Feb. 4, 1988); younger half-sister Madison de la Garza (Dec. 28, 2001); stepdad Eddie de la Garza (Feb. 14, 1963); and biological father Patrick Lovato (Oct. 23, 1960).
Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Demi Lovato's Cross Tattoo
Lovato has been open about her faith in the past, so it was no surprise when they got a tattoo of a cross on her hand. She confirmed on “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” that she got it because she’s a devout Christian.
Getty / Frazer Harrison
Demi Lovato's Feather Tattoo
This is one of Lovato’s tattoos we don’t get to see often: a small blue feather behind their left ear.
Getty / Frank Trapper
Demi Lovato's "Rock N Roll" and "Peace" Tattoos
In this picture, you get a look at Lovato’s “peace” tattoo on the inner middle finger on their left hand. They also have the words “ROCK N ROLL” on their left hand in the same spot.
Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Demi Lovato's "Buddy Was Here" Tattoo
Buddy was Lovato’s beloved dog, whom she lost in a tragic accident in 2015. Because the furry friend was like a child to her, Lovato got the ink in kids’ handwriting.
Getty / JB Lacroix
Demi Lovato's Lion-Head Tattoo
Lovato debuted this lion’s head hand tattoo on Snapchat in April 2017 and has yet to discuss its meaning.
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Demi Lovato's "Free" Tattoo
Shortly after revealing that they had relapsed in their song “Sober,” Lovato debuted a “free” tattoo on their right pinky finger on Instagram Stories. They also revealed that their team got “free” tattooed on their pinkies. “The team that tats together stays together,” they captioned one of the photos.
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Demi Lovato's Rose Tattoo
Often symbolizing balance, hope, and new beginnings, a rose may be symbolic of the star’s sobriety. No matter its meaning, this dainty tattoo by LA-based tattoo artist Winter Stone is a beautiful addition to their collection.
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Demi Lovato's Butterfly Tattoo
First released in a selfie that has since been deleted, Lovato also has a butterfly neck tattoo, a representation of transformation. She also has a song of the same name.
Getty Images / Frazer Harrison
Demi Lovato's Lyrics Hand Tattoo
Lovato got a song lyric from “Infinite Universe” by Beautiful Chorus – “Love will live forever in the infinite universe” – tattooed on the back of their left hand in an all-caps handwritten font. The lyric is surrounded by celestial illustrations, including stars and a planet, and is joined by an additional all-black crescent-moon design on Lovato’s middle finger.
While sharing a peek at the tat on Instagram Stories, they wrote, “THANK YOU [Dr. Woo] for making exactly what I asked for!!! It’s perfect!!!” and gave a hat tip to Beautiful Chorus for the lovely line.
