Debby Ryan [3]: actor, singer, and . . . tattoo connoisseur [4]? The star has been in the spotlight since her days on the Disney Channel shows "Suite Life on Deck" and "Jessie," and as a result, we've seen her aesthetic change throughout the years. Ryan has experimented with her hair and makeup — trying everything from bangs and mullets [5] to graphic liner [6] — but one thing you might not know is that she also has an impressive tattoo collection.
So far, Ryan has a total of six known tattoos, and though it seems she sticks to more traditional tattoo styles (like fine lines and script), the actor used to be a fan of stick-and-poke designs — and actually did a tiny one on herself when she was younger. Over the years, the size of her ink grew in contrast to some of her earlier works of body art, which were mostly smaller and sometimes hard to decipher. Some of her tattoos are hidden [7], while others are large and visible.
Still, if you've ever wondered what each one means, that's where we come in. It turns out that the actor has been fairly private about the significance behind many of her designs, but others are easier to guess. From the tattoos you can barely see to the ones you can't miss, we're breaking down the meaning of Ryan's tattoos ahead.
Debby Ryan's Dagger Tattoo
On her left wrist, Ryan has a dagger tattoo that is actually a coverup. She posted on her Instagram story back in 2019 that the design now covers the small, faded alien design that she had in the same spot, which was the stick-and-poke design that she gave herself when she was 18 years old.
Debby Ryan’s "V" Tattoo
Ryan also has a small "V" on the ring finger of her right hand with a special story behind it. When announcing her collaboration with temporary tattoo company Inkbox [8] in 2017, Ryan posted on Instagram that the letter stood for "visitors." "Nothing is ours and everyone is visiting," she wrote. "My buddy and I tattooed this V on my right ring finger and his left thumb-knuckle so that every handshake reminds me I'm visiting and greeting a visitor."
Debby Ryan's "Howdy" Tattoo
Ryan, who was born in Huntsville, AL, got the word "Howdy" inside of a heart tattooed on her right leg. Though she didn't reveal the reason behind the tattoo, the use of the greeting seems to be a running joke between Ryan and her fans on Twitter, presumably as a nod to her Southern roots.
Debby Ryan's Flower Tattoo
In 2017, Ryan flashed a small tattoo of a rose on her forearm when she was speaking at the Galore [9] GIRL CULT Festival in California. She has not revealed the meaning behind the tattoo, but roses often symbolize love and courage.