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Sam Smith's 35+ Tattoos and Meanings

Sam Smith Adds a McDonald's Tattoo to Their Extensive Collection

Aug 16 2023

Sam Smith has made their mark in 2023. Their sultry pop anthem, "Unholy" featuring Kim Petras, was certified a chart-topping single, earning both artists their first Billboard Hot 100 number one and a Grammy nod. The singer-songwriter has also released their fourth studio album, "Gloria", and even released a track, named "Vulgar" with Madonna.

Despite Smith's busy schedule over the years – which included the comfiest look on the red carpet at the "Barbie" premiere, as well as honouring the late Brianna Ghey on their "Gloria The Tour" – the artist has managed to accumulate an enviable collection of tattoos that are just as remarkable as their music and serve as an extension of their vibrant personality.

Smith has shared the inspiration fuelling their ever-growing love for body art while recently speaking with SiriusXM. "I think I have over, like, 35 now. It's weird because I never, like, aimed to be a tattooed person, but they're like little stamps wherever I go places. They've started to get more and more and more, and I'm gonna be filled," they said.

Though they have a whopping 35+ tattoos to their name already, they certainly don't plan on stopping anytime soon. "When I'm 70, I think I'll get one on my face. Through my life, I'm just gonna fill up, and when I hit my 70th birthday, I'll get something here, probably something small," they said while sweeping their cheek. "And then 80th will be like, 'Whoa!'"

Take a closer look at their extensive tattoo collection ahead, as well as what each one means.

Image Source: Getty / Samir Hussein

1. Sam Smith's McDonald's Cherub Tattoo

On Aug. 14, Smith got a tattoo to commemorate their love for McDonald's. The new ink, which sits on the back of the left shoulder, features a cherub leaning on a Big Mac cheeseburger with a large soda cup in one hand. They captioned the Instagram post showing it off, "GOLDEN ARCHES FOREVER," and tagged the artist, Askhat Kobekpaev.

2. Sam Smith's "Gloria" Tattoo

In honour of their "Gloria" album, and their subsequent tour of the same name, Smith revealed their new hand tattoo on 25 July.

3. Sam Smith's Pig with a Crown Tattoo

On 19 June, the singer revealed on Instagram they just had a fresh design done on their upper thigh: a piglet with a crown. Whilst the star didn't explain what the tattoo represented, they did write in the caption that "June has been vulgar", referring to their new track with Madonna.

Image Source: Sam Smith Instagram

4. Sam Smith’s “Romance” Tattoo

In a shirtless snap on their Instagram, Smith unveiled their ink that says "Romance" and is placed on the singer's midriff.

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5. Sam Smith’s Ice Cream Cone Tattoo

On their left leg, right above the ankle, Smith has an ice cream cone in colourful ink, which doesn't necessarily hold any meaning for the musician. "I've got, like, an ice cream on my ankle, and I don't know why it's there," they shared with Heart Radio when asked if all their inks are meaningful.

6. Sam Smith’s Hand Tattoos

Sam Smith's Index Finger Tattoos

Smith has a bunch of tiny tattoos on their hands. On the side of their left index finger, they have the symbol of the Roman goddess Venus that represents the female sex. They also have complementary ink of the symbol of the Roman god Mars, depicting the male sex. The latter is located in the exact same location but on their right index finger. The musician got the pair of tattoos when they were 17. The meaningful design might be in honour of their gender fluidity. "I feel just as much woman as I am man," they told The Sunday Times in 2017.

They also have what appears to be another set of matching finger tattoos on both their index fingers. The tiny ink resembles the Eiffel Tower. However, the right-hand tattoo is speculated to covertly include the letter "B," which Smith reportedly got during their relationship with the "13 Reasons Why" actor, Brandon Flynn. The pair dated for nearly nine months between 2017-2018.

Sam Smith's Ring Finger Tattoo

Smith got an equal sign tattooed on their left ring finger, which expresses their passion and advocacy for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. "The equality sign on my wedding finger. This ones pretty self explanatory. It shows my views on gay marriage and equality for all x," they offered in a now-deleted Instagram post.

Two horizontal parallel lines are also placed on their right ring finger, which, according to Smith, is "inspired by one of the oldest tattoos ever found on a mummified body that was found buried alone in the ice."

Sam Smith's Middle Finger Tattoos

They also have an upward-pointing arrowhead on top of their right middle finger and a downward-pointing arrowhead on their left middle finger.

Sam Smith's Left Pinky Finger Tattoo

A tiny star in black ink sits on their left little finger, which appears to be a new addition, spotted during their 19 Jan guest appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

Sam Smith's Other Hand Tattoos

Other than this, they also have an eye-catching symmetrical ink on the back of their left hand, with another beautiful design inked on the backside of their right hand.

Image Source: Getty / NBC

7. Sam Smith’s Person With a Mirror Tattoo

In 2021, the "Love Me More" singer honoured their non-binary gender identity by getting a meaningful tattoo on their right bicep. The ink shows a young person staring at their reflection in a mirror while wearing nothing more than underwear and heels. During a candid CBS Mornings chat in 2019, Smith opened up about their non-binary gender. "Queer people all around the world, we don't identify within those two places," they said. "Gender, for me, has been nothing but traumatising and challenging throughout my life, and I just don't feel like — it's so hard to explain. I just feel like myself. I don't feel like a man, basically."

Six months later, in a vulnerable Instagram post, the musician updated their fans about changing their pronouns to "they/them." "I've decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM ❤ after a lifetime of being at war with my gender, I've decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out," they wrote. "I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you."

Image Source: Sam Smith Instagram

8. Sam Smith’s Anchor Tattoo

Smith has an anchor inked at the centre of the neck, above their collarbones. They offered the meaning behind their tattoo, which they claimed to be their favourite when chatting with SiriusXM. "I've got my little anchor on my neck, which I love, which symbolises me and my beautiful fans and my singing and stuff like that, so I love that."

Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin

9. Sam Smith’s Flower and Heart Tattoo

Smith has an intricate artwork of a rose blossoming out of a heart that sits on the inside of their right forearm, which they said in an interview is an ode to a poet they love, Emma Bunton.

Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin

10. Sam Smith’s Rose Tattoo

The singer has a rose flower design on the outside of their right forearm. Though they haven't shared the meaning behind this piece, a rose tattoo often symbolises love and passion.

11. Sam Smith’s “III” Tattoo

Smith and their two younger sisters – Mabel and Lily Smith – got matching tattoos to begin their 2014 Christmas celebrations. The three siblings got the Roman numeral for 3, "III," tattooed on the inside of their right wrists.

12. Sam Smith’s Heels Tattoo

Smith has an animated figure posing in a red dress and heels as they hold a hat in one hand and a stick in another à la a showman. The inspiration behind the ink may be rooted in their love for dresses and heels, as they've expressed on multiple occasions.

Image Source: Sam Smith Instagram

13. Sam Smith’s James Dean and Marlon Brando Kissing Tattoo

In 2019, Smith got a tattoo of James Dean and Marlon Brando kissing on the top of their left shoulder. The two actors were among the most debatable Hollywood stars that were often embroiled in a speculative romance, despite never officially confirming their relationship status to the world.

Image Source: Sam Smith Instagram

14. Sam Smith’s “TPH-50HR” Tattoo

The Grammy-winning singer has a script tattoo reading "TPH-50HR" inked at their nape. Though it may appear a cryptic code at first, the abbreviation of this ink is a sweet homage to Smith's childhood home. The initials stand for "The Pink House – 50 Heydon House," which is the address to the house where they grew up with two siblings and parents.

Sam Smith's Puffer Fish Tattoo

Among the latest additions to their ever-growing tattoo collection is a puffer fish design that sits on their left forearm. When host Jennifer Hudson asked them the inspiration behind permanently inking a fish onto their skin, they jokingly replied, "I don't know, honestly." They further went into their "reckless" tattoo selection process. "I'm quite reckless. I like, just, on the day of, 'let's go for it; just do it,' because I've got so many bad ones that I just don't care anymore."

Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter

15. Sam Smith’s Bird Tattoo

In 2017, Smith got a flying sparrow on their left forearm alongside the words "Be good, be kind," written in Arabic script, placed right beneath it. It was drawn by the celebrity tattooist, popularly known as Dr. Woo.

16. Sam Smith’s “Honesty” Tattoo

The word "Honesty" is inked on the backside of Smith's left arm, near their elbow. They shared the poignant meaning behind the piece in a now-deleted Instagram post, saying that it serves as a reminder for them to continue to remain honest in their artistry. "This is what I promise to be in my music. It's what I live by. In the words of @mariamena_official 'Honesty is my God,'" they captioned the post at the time.

Image Source: Getty / Tasos Katopodis

17. Sam Smith’s “Alone” and Duck Tattoos

On the back of their right arm, they got the word "Alone" tattooed during the same trip when they got the "Honesty" ink. They later added a duck design on top of the word. During their November 2022 appearance on the "Jennifer Hudson Show," the "Pray" singer opened up about the ink and their feelings about it through the lens of hindsight. "When I was, like, a very emotional, like, late teens, I got the word "Alone" on my arm. How embarrassing is that?" they said when asked what's their least favourite tattoo. When the audience aw-ed in response to their answer, they quickly added, "No, it's okay. I'm fine. But I'm a weirdo for getting that. I got a duck on top of that; the duck isn't alone."

Image Source: Getty / Denise Truscello

18. Sam Smith’s Angel Tattoo

Smith has a whimsical ink on their right elbow that features what appears to be an angel-like figure striking a glamorous pose in heels.

Image Source: Sam Smith Instagram

19. Sam Smith’s Dragon Tattoos

In 2020, Smith debuted a "Pete's Dragon"-themed dragon ink on their right bicep. The artwork includes the titular dragon, Elliot, from the beloved 1977 Disney animated movie, waving cheerily. The "Gimme" singer also has another tattoo on their left forearm (adjacent to a pufferfish design) that resembles an animated dragon.

Sam Smith's Musical Notes Tattoo

On their left bicep sits a series of musical notes that neatly run along the length of their arm. The tattoo likely depicts their love and passion for music.

20. Sam Smith’s Anchor Wrist Tattoo

Smith has another anchor ink on their left wrist, which they got as a touching tribute to their fans, whom they adoringly refer to as the "Little Sailors." While joining British GQ's series "Actually Me" in Oct 2022, the English singer-songwriter explained the sentimental significance behind the design. "When I was 18, I wrote a song called "Little Sailor." That song was a catalyst for my career, really. So I thought it was cool to call my fans Little Sailors," they shared, adding, "And also, an anchor really is a symbol of grounding. It means love."

21. Sam Smith’s "??" Tattoo

Smith has the word "XYZ" on the inside of their right forearm. They have not shared the meaning behind this design.

Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter

22. Sam Smith’s Pair of Heels Tattoo

Smith has a pair of heels tattooed on their wrist with two stars adorning the design. While the left set sits upright, its complementary pair lies horizontally next to it. The tattoo might be a homage to their favourite fashion accessory. "I love a heel," the singer shared in a 2017 sit-down with The Sunday Times. "I've got loads of heels at home. People don't know this, but when I was 17, I remember becoming obsessed with Boy George and Marilyn and all that. There was one moment in my life where I didn't own a piece of male clothing, really. I would wear full makeup every day in school, eyelashes, leggings with Dr. Martens and huge fur coats — for two and a half years."

23. Sam Smith’s Ribcage Tattoo

On their left ribcage, Smith has a triangular shape surrounded by a circle. While its real inspiration isn't known, it appears to be a nod to their fans, aka Sailors, as the similar set design made a prominent appearance during their "The Thrill of It" tour.

24. Sam Smith's Strawberry Tattoo

Smith has, as they put it, a "sexy strawberry" design on their left thigh. "I've got a sexy strawberry on one of my thighs," they beamed as they shared. "It's a strawberry, and she's in, like, heels and fishnets, and she's got a bra. Yeah, it's great."

25. Sam Smith’s Spitfire Plane Tattoo

Smith has an ink of a spitfire plane on their right ankle, which they seemingly got on a whim. "I got a Spitfire plane, dunno why, when I was drunk in Malia," they joked about the design, adding, "I wanna look a bit scary. I like when the tattoos look a bit, like, masc, but they actually have nice, friendly undertones."

In a recent talk with SiriusXM, they added that this was their first-ever tattoo and explained the funny story behind how they landed on the final design. "I got my first ever tattoo – it was so weird. I was drunk at 17 in Greece, and I had these earrings that were like diamond Spitfires – fake diamond Spitfires – and I got a Spitfire on my ankle, which is just so weird," they shared.

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