Megan Fox [1]'s tattoo collection has been in the works since she was 18 years old, but over the last few years, she's really given it a major update. In general, Fox has undergone quite a metamorphosis recently. After taking a break from the spotlight, she's back and making a big, big splash — from her engagement to Machine Gun Kelly [2] back in January 2022 (and their many subsequent shocking red carpet moments) to countless major beauty transformations [3].
It's no secret that Fox is a big fan of body art. Her current collection includes 12 known pieces spanning her arms, back, ribs, and neck. This total includes one matching tattoo with MGK [4] and another couple tattoo [5] for ex-husband Brian Austin Green [6]. She has spoken openly about going through the process of removing [7] a few of her older designs. This includes her first-ever — and arguably most iconic — design: Marilyn Monroe's portrait on her forearm.
Fox's ink is primarily done in one cohesive traditional tattoo style [8] using all-black ink, but she does have one small colourful design on her ankle. She has a few quote tattoos [9] in gothic lettering, as well as an original poem etched on her side in a similar fashion. The actor also has a design of the phrase "the darkest fairytale" scribbled on her inner forearm, which was done by Kelly himself. He has a matching design on his hip. And as if that wasn't enough, Fox's most recent tattoo session in July 2023 yeiled 19 new finger tattoos [10], proving she's not finished building her portfolio.
Each design has a special meaning behind it, so to learn all about Fox's tattoos, keep reading.
Megan Fox's MGK Forearm Tattoo
During an interview for GQ Style [12], Fox and MGK got matching tattoos [13] — inked by each other, on each other. It reads "The darkest fairytale," on her left forearm. The meaning behind the phrase? Fox told the publication that it "alludes back to one of the first text messages we ever sent each other," she said.
Kelly got the same script, only his was etched along his right hip bone.
Megan Fox's Bird Rid-Cage Tattoo
In her 2021 Skims campaign, Fox revealed a second never-before-seen tattoo. The design appears to be the faint outline of a bird on her rib cage. Subtle but noticeable, the new ink looks like a sketch of a bird in flight, so it might be a symbol of freedom or release, but she's kept quiet about the design.
Megan Fox's Script Side-Boob Tattoo
In her 2021 Skims campaign with Kourtney Kardashian, two never-before-seen tattoos were spotted on Fox's torso. Along her right side boob appears to be a fine-line script tattoo, but what it says is unclear.
Megan Fox's "Austin" Hip Tattoo
Fox has an "Austin" tattoo on her hip for ex-husband Brian Austin Green [14]. The pair got married in 2010 and have three sons together. Since their divorce, it's unclear if Fox has gotten the ink removed.
Megan Fox's " Collarbone Tattoo
At the 2020 American Music Awards in November, Fox debuted a new collarbone tattoo that is rumoured to be for Kelly. It's of the word "el pistolero", which is Spanish for "gunfighter", in script.
Kelly's "Banyan Tree (Interlude)", from his "Tickets to my Downfall" album has a conversation between the couple where Fox says, "Like you just got my initials tattoo'd on you, and I got your nickname tattooed on me".
Megan Fox's Chinese Symbol Neck Tattoo
On the back of Fox's neck, she has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol that stands for strength, according to BodyArtGuru [15]. She's had the ink for more than a decade.
Megan Fox's Poem Side Tattoo
Etched on her left ribcage, opposite of the Nietzsche quote, Fox has a poem tattooed on her that she wrote herself. It reads, "There once was a little girl who never knew love until a boy broke her HEART". It's unknown exactly when she got the tattoo.
Megan Fox's Crescent Moon and Star Ankle Tattoo
Fox has a crescent moon and star tattoo on the inside of her right ankle. It is her only known tattoo that uses coloured ink, with the star being blue and the moon a yellow hue. She's had the tattoo for over a decade.
Megan Fox's Large Quote Side Tattoo
On the right side of her back, Fox has a quote by philosopher, poet, and composer Friedrich Nietzsche. It goes vertically down her ribs and reads, "And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music". She got it before June of 2010.
Megan Fox's Yin-Yang Wrist Tattoo
On the inside of Fox's left wrist is a thick black tattoo of waves that form a yin-yang symbol. It's unknown exactly when she got it, but she's had it for more than a decade.
Megan Fox's Shakespearean Back Tattoo
On her right shoulder, Fox has a quote inspired by Shakespeare's play "King Lear". It reads "We will all laugh at gilded butterflies". This tattoo is over a decade old.
Megan Fox's Removed Marilyn Monroe Tattoo
In 2011, Fox said in an interview with Italian magazine Amica that she was removing the portrait of Marilyn Monroe from the inside of her arm via laser treatments. Her reason: "I do not want to attract this kind of negative energy in my life [16]", reported Marie Claire.
Today, you can still spot the ink very faintly.
Megan Fox's Marilyn Monroe Tattoo
Perhaps Fox's most well-known tattoo is her portrait of Marilyn Monroe. Located on the inside of her right arm, Fox got the ink when she was 18 years old because she idolised the icon. However, in 2011, Fox decided to get it removed (more on that later).