19 Celebrities With GIANT Back Tattoos That I Never Noticed Because They've Always Been Hidden

Lauren Garafano
·4-min read

1.Ben Affleck has a massive phoenix tattooed on his back. He initially lied to press saying it was for a movie, but eventually came clean and confirmed it was real.

Man in a classic black tuxedo with a bow tie on a red carpet at a formal event
Man in a classic black tuxedo with a bow tie on a red carpet at a formal event
Ben on the beach
Ben on the beach

Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images, Backgrid

2.Kaley Cuoco has a moth tattooed on her upper back. That tattoo is actually a cover-up — she originally had her wedding date to her ex-husband Ryan Sweeting tattooed in Roman numerals, but got it covered after they divorced.

Person in a one-shoulder dress with an insect tattoo on their upper back, standing on a red carpet at an event
Person in a one-shoulder dress with an insect tattoo on their upper back, standing on a red carpet at an event

Matt Winkelmeyer / WireImage, Angela Weiss

3.Selena Gomez has a large dripping rose tattoo on the back of her neck — her close friend Cara Delevingne even has the same one.

Person in a white top and brown jacket at a SiriusXM event backdrop, smiling at the camera
Person in a white top and brown jacket at a SiriusXM event backdrop, smiling at the camera
Closeup of Selena's tattoo
Closeup of Selena's tattoo

Emma Mcintyre / Getty Images for SiriusXM, Gotham / GC Images

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4.Adam Levine is covered in tattoos, including a massive back piece. The tattoo, designed by artist Bryan Randolph, depicts a winged siren holding a skull.

Shirtless performer onstage, flaunting intricate tattoos on his back and arms, surrounded by an enthusiastic audience
Shirtless performer onstage, flaunting intricate tattoos on his back and arms, surrounded by an enthusiastic audience

Cindy Ord / Getty Images, Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic

5.Leigh-Anne Pinnock has a couple tattoos on her back — the word "Believe" and a musical staff with butterflies.

Person with a back tattoo poses at an event in a strapless dress, styled hair in a bun, at the Brit Awards backdrop
Person with a back tattoo poses at an event in a strapless dress, styled hair in a bun, at the Brit Awards backdrop

Nicky J Sims / Getty Images for TikTok UK Creator Awards 2024, David M. Benett

6.Scarlett Johansson has a large rose vine and a lamb tattooed down her back.

Person in glamorous, sparkling strapless gown on red carpet, showing back tattoos, with slicked-back hairstyle
Ernesto Ruscio / Getty Images

7.Kelis has a vine of flowers down the left side of her back.

Person in a backless embellished gown, featuring a large floral tattoo on her back, smiling for photos at a media event backdrop
Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic

8.Justin Theroux has a massive back tattoo that honors his dogs. "So I had two dogs, both rescues, pit bulls, pit bull mix, and when they died, I dedicated half my back to one and half of my back to the other," he explained. "So, it’s a picture of a rat, because my dog used to kill rats in Washington Square Park, which is not fun. It was horrible. She was really good at it. I mean, it’s doing a service to New York also. Oh, and then a pigeon. A New York pigeon and a rat."

Person showing detailed back tattoos featuring a dragon and a bird
Person showing detailed back tattoos featuring a dragon and a bird

John Lamparski / Getty Images / HBO

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9.Cheryl Cole has a massive lower back tattoo that extends past her butt. In an interview, she said, "If it was up to me — and I could be brave for one day - I would have my whole back done. My friends say, 'Cheryl, please, you might regret it' — but to me, it's art."

A person is on the red carpet wearing a black velvet halter dress and holding a pink clutch. They pose in front of a sponsor backdrop
A person is on the red carpet wearing a black velvet halter dress and holding a pink clutch. They pose in front of a sponsor backdrop
Performer on stage wearing a pink tutu and a detailed rose tattoo on lower back, holding a microphone
Performer on stage wearing a pink tutu and a detailed rose tattoo on lower back, holding a microphone

Dave Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images for The Londoner, Dave J Hogan / Getty Images

10.Lady Gaga has a ton of tattoos, especially on her back. In honor of A Star Is Born, she got "La Vie En Rose" and a rose tattooed down her spine.

Person on red carpet in elegant black dress with dramatic shoulder design and statement necklace, posing for photos
Person on red carpet in elegant black dress with dramatic shoulder design and statement necklace, posing for photos
Person on red carpet with elaborate updo and floral back tattoos, wearing a black dress with criss-cross straps and large, sculptural headpiece
Person on red carpet with elaborate updo and floral back tattoos, wearing a black dress with criss-cross straps and large, sculptural headpiece

Monica Schipper / Getty Images, Stefania D'alessandro / WireImage

11.Angelina Jolie has several back tattoos, including a Bengal tiger on her lower back that she got in 2004, which she got to commemorate becoming a Cambodian citizen. She also has a few Sak Yant tattoos on her upper back, which are traditional Thai tattoos customized to fit the wishes or desires of the person getting inked.

Person with intricate back tattoos in a strapless dress, facing sideways at a celebrity event
Person with intricate back tattoos in a strapless dress, facing sideways at a celebrity event
Person in elegant, backless black gown on a checkered backdrop at an event, showcasing a detailed tattoo on their back
Person in elegant, backless black gown on a checkered backdrop at an event, showcasing a detailed tattoo on their back

James Devaney / Getty Images, Jun Sato / WireImage

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12.Nikita Dragun has a large red dragon tattoo down her back.

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13.David Beckham reportedly has over 80 tattoos, including his sons' names — Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz — tattooed on his back. Between Romeo and Cruz's names, he has an angel with its head bowed in a crucified position.

Shirtless athlete with tattoos on his back, holding a striped jersey on a foggy sports field
Shirtless athlete with tattoos on his back, holding a striped jersey on a foggy sports field

Nbc / Nathan Congleton / NBC via Getty Images, Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images

14.Lena Headey has a lotus flower and flying birds tattooed down her back.

Person in a casual white top stands smiling at an HBO event backdrop with text behind them
Person in a casual white top stands smiling at an HBO event backdrop with text behind them
Person in an elegant, backless gown with tattoo design, posing on the red carpet at the 67th Emmys
Person in an elegant, backless gown with tattoo design, posing on the red carpet at the 67th Emmys

Michael Loccisano / Getty Images, Steve Granitz / WireImage

15.Teri Polo has a massive tree tattooed on her back.

Person with tree tattoo on back in black halter dress at Teen Choice Awards 2016, speaking to a person in a checkered shirt
Person with tree tattoo on back in black halter dress at Teen Choice Awards 2016, speaking to a person in a checkered shirt

Paul Archuleta / Getty Images, Steve Granitz / WireImage

16.Cardi B has a massive tattoo that extends from her right shoulder to her left thigh. When she first debuted the ink, she shared that it took "several months" to finish.

Woman on a red carpet wearing a strapless black dress with gold details and accessories, including large earrings and bangles, with hair wrapped
Woman on a red carpet wearing a strapless black dress with gold details and accessories, including large earrings and bangles, with hair wrapped

Kevin Mazur / Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for The Recording Academy, Jacopo Raule / Getty Images

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17.Maren Morris has lyrics from Patty Griffin's "Christina" down her back. The tattoo reads, "It’s a wondrous world of ridiculous things / but nothing so rare as the love that it brings."

A woman poses on the red carpet in a sequined backless dress, showing her side tattoo
David Becker / Getty Images for iHeartRadio

18.Margaret Cho is covered in tattoos and on her blog she wrote about getting inked by Kat Von D on her TV series LA Ink.

Person in a patterned outfit with visible tattoos, posing on a red carpet at a media event backdrop
Paul Morigi / WireImage

19.Finally, Lena Dunham has a pair of houses tattooed across the top of her back.

Person in oversize black ensemble poses on red carpet
Person in oversize black ensemble poses on red carpet
Person in strapless dress showing detailed back tattoos of two houses
Person in strapless dress showing detailed back tattoos of two houses

Karwai Tang / WireImage, Steve Granitz / WireImage

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