A Deeper Look Into Demi Lovato's 20+ Tattoos

Updated on 12/15/2023 at 2:25 PM

Demi Lovato got their first tattoo when they were 16, and they've been adding to the collection ever since. Over the years, Lovato has gotten classic one-word designs as well as script tattoos, and as she's continued in her career, she's progressed to larger, more realistic portraits on places like their head, ribcage, and even their hands.

Similarly to their tattoo of the word "free," Lovato's pieces are known for having a deeper meaning. In January 2022, she revealed a spider tattoo on the side of their head, which she later shared was inspired by the Cherokee folktale called "Grandmother Spider Brings the Light." "It was Grandmother Spider who taught us many things," Lovato wrote on their Instagram Stories. "She taught us about pottery and weaving. She taught us about fire and light and dark. She taught us that we are all connected on the web — each of us having our place in this world."

It seems that for Lovato, tattoos act as a testament to life's experiences, especially as they've opened up about their journey to sobriety. Back in 2019, they got the word "survivor" on their neck after experiencing a nearly fatal overdose the year before. Since then, Lovato has added numerous other designs to their body-art collection, so we compiled all of their known ink to date.

Read ahead to see all of Demi Lovato's tattoos and learn their meanings.

Demi Lovato's Spider Head Tattoo

Lovato shared a sneak peek of their new piece by tagging LA-based tattoo artist Dr. Woo while he did the design. She then revealed the full piece, sharing that it was inspired by a Cherokee folktale.

Demi Lovato's "You Make Me Beautiful" Dreamcatcher Tattoo

Lovato's first tattoo was "you make me beautiful" in cursive on their right rib cage, which she got before turning 18 years old. She's shared that it comes from a song. Shortly after, they got a dreamcatcher added to the design. It features intricate bead details and three more feathers in a red shade.

Demi Lovato's "III" Tattoo

The singer got the number three in Roman numerals on the side of their wrist to commemorate their father, who passed away in June 2013.

Demi Lovato's "Stay Strong" Tattoo

Lovato got the words "Stay Strong" on their wrists after they completed rehab for bipolar disorder, addiction, and eating disorders in 2011.

Demi Lovato's "Faith" Tattoo and 12 Birds Tattoo

In "Stay Strong," a documentary Lovato recorded after their stay in rehab, Lovato revealed that she got the word "faith" inked right below her elbow with Lauren Martin, a friend they met during treatment.

Demi's 12 birds on their outer forearm were brought to life by Kat Von D. They symbolize the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

Demi Lovato's "Now I'm a Warrior" Tattoo

The singer and former Disney star has the words "now I'm a warrior" on the back of their right shoulder. They're lyrics from "Warrior," the closing song from "Demi," their self-titled 2013 album.

Demi Lovato's Africa Tattoo

After celebrating her 21st birthday in Africa, Lovato inked her inner upper forearm with the continent's outline to commemorate the missionary trip she took to Kenya.

Demi Lovato's 2 Roses Arm Tattoo

You might remember Lovato covered up what they called their "vagina tattoo" with two gray and black roses by artist Bang Bang. The original ink was actually of a lip print.

Demi Lovato's "Me" Tattoo

In 2019, Lovato revealed a tattoo that read "me," dedicated to loving themself.

Demi lovato's "Let Go & Let God" Tattoos

Lovato has the words "Let go & Let God" across their feet. They've never publicly spoken about the tattoo's meaning, but we think it's safe to assume it has to do with their Christian faith.

Demi Lovato's Roman Numeral Dates Tattoo

Yet another roman numeral tattoo for Lovato, this one is a long list of birthdays on their side, each representing a close family member. From top to bottom: mom Dianna de la Garza (Aug. 8, 1962); older sister Dallas Lovato (Feb. 4, 1988); younger half-sister Madison de la Garza (Dec. 28, 2001); stepdad Eddie de la Garza (Feb. 14, 1963); and biological father Patrick Lovato (Oct. 23, 1960).

Demi Lovato's Cross Tattoo

Lovato has been open about her faith in the past, so it was no surprise when they got a tattoo of a cross on her hand. She confirmed on "On Air With Ryan Seacrest" that she got it because she's a devout Christian.

Demi Lovato's Feather Tattoo

This is one of Lovato's tattoos we don't get to see often: a small blue feather behind their left ear.

Demi Lovato's "Rock N Roll" and "Peace" Tattoos

In this picture, you get a look at Lovato's "peace" tattoo on the inner middle finger on their left hand. They also have the words "ROCK N ROLL" on their left hand in the same spot.

Demi Lovato's "Buddy Was Here" Tattoo

Buddy was Lovato's beloved dog, whom she lost in a tragic accident in 2015. Because the furry friend was like a child to her, Lovato got the ink in kids' handwriting.

Demi Lovato's Lion-Head Tattoo

Lovato debuted this lion's head hand tattoo on Snapchat in April 2017 and has yet to discuss its meaning.

Demi Lovato's "Free" Tattoo

Shortly after revealing that they had relapsed in their song "Sober," Lovato debuted a "free" tattoo on their right pinky finger on Instagram Stories. They also revealed that their team got "free" tattooed on their pinkies. "The team that tats together stays together," they captioned one of the photos.

Demi Lovato's Rose Tattoo

Often symbolizing balance, hope, and new beginnings, a rose may be symbolic of the star's sobriety. No matter its meaning, this dainty tattoo by LA-based tattoo artist Winter Stone is a beautiful addition to their collection.

Demi Lovato's "Survivor" Tattoo

Lovato got the word "survivor" etched across the right side of their neck, which was shared by Dr. Woo. She has been very open about their struggles with sobriety, so this was a powerful testament to their progress.

Demi Lovato's "Rebirth of the Spirit" Tattoo

Lovato worked with Alessandro Capozzi to design this eye-catching back tattoo that features a woman being lifted by three small doves. "We created this piece together to represent a rebirth of the spirit," Capozzi wrote on Instagram. "The dark wings represent the bad times, their fading away is how they moved forward. The light from within represents the inner strength necessary for the change and the doves, pulling her up, symbolize the reach of an higher state of consciousness."

Demi Lovato's Butterfly Tattoo

First released in a selfie that has since been deleted, Lovato also has a butterfly neck tattoo, a representation of transformation. She also has a song of the same name.

Demi Lovato's Lyrics Hand Tattoo

Lovato got a song lyric from "Infinite Universe" by Beautiful Chorus — "Love will live forever in the infinite universe" — tattooed on the back of their left hand in an all-caps handwritten font. The lyric is surrounded by celestial illustrations, including stars and a planet, and is joined by an additional all-black crescent-moon design on Lovato's middle finger.

While sharing a peek at the tat on Instagram Stories, they wrote, "THANK YOU [Dr. Woo] for making exactly what I asked for!!! It's perfect!!!" and gave a hat tip to Beautiful Chorus for the lovely line.