Extreme Celebrity Tattoos

Extreme celebrity tattoos: when celebrities are upstaged by their own body art.

Once a mark of hell-raising artists who undoubtedly enjoyed the finger it raised to convention, e.g. Janis Joplin and Lenny Bruce, respectively, celebrity tattoos are now a seemingly mandated, integral measurement of the “it” factor, much like pocket-sized dogs and monthly trips to rehab.

More than an expression of attitude and style, entertainers today are brandishing tattoos as a vehicle to front their beliefs-similar to that of a human billboard. Actress and UN goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie has “Know your rights” tattooed below her neck, among her 13 other tattoos. Porn star Jenna Jameson has “This is what I was born to do” tattooed across her back. Sweet.

Although it is encouraging to see headlining entertainers harbor such strong beliefs in something other than Botox, a prominent tattoo can often take center stage to a celebrity’s identity, and some artists are running the risk of never again being identified without their body art. Here are five Hollywood celebrities that seem to be upstaged by their own skin art.

Amy Winehouse: According to her tattoo artist, “Amy takes her inspiration from Bettie Page, and uses her body as an extension of her music.” Albeit her body may be an extension of her music today, she will have difficulty if she ever wants to be recognized for a different style, as her body is covered in dozens of Sharpie-esq, pin-up girl tattoos.

David Beckham: Posh Spice’s better half has been in the soccer spotlight for more than 15 years. Although it did not take him long to establish a bad-boy reputation, this is the reputation that Beckham counts on for publicity, and getting more and more tattoos (now at 16) has served this purpose well. But, body space does run out. Just ask Tommy Lee.

Angelina Jolie: Angelina is the undisputed Queen of celebrity tats. Gorgeous, rock-hard, mother of six and bedding down with Brad are wonderful for the résumé, but Angie’s bodily canvas is slowly turning into a PSA-notating everything from previously stated “Know your rights” to “What nourishes me also destroys me”-candidly placed in Latin above her crotch.

Steve-O: The newly-sober performer of Jackass fame rocks a full back self-portrait with “Yeah, dude, I rock,” among other notable etchings including “I have a small wiener” and four individual symbols that decode I-love-to-bone. As a clean man now interested in pursuing theatrical art, these tats may create problems if and when a nude love scene is called for.

Diablo Cody: Diablo is everyone’s favorite-stripper-turned-Juno screenwriter. Although the stripper-girl on her arm is her only visible tattoo, her association with this image is gonna be hard to break, as this tat has been seen front and center at every award show and event since her penned, pregnant Chatty-Cathy doll became famous.

Thus, under constant surveillance, tattoos as image enhancement can too often shift into tattoos as defining characteristics to those in the public eye. And changing that image may be the role of a lifetime. Now check out: Top Five Hottest Female Tattoos in Hollywood.