When a reader suggested we do an article featuring ladies with tattoos, I thought; “Huh, these days, who doesn’t have tattoos? Hold on. Exactly. That’s the article to do. These days, who doesn’t have tattoos?”
Nowadays, ladies free of any ink are the ones who seem to be in the minority, especially in the entertainment and modeling industries. Whether they’re boldly illustrated or have a small tattoo in an inconspicuous area, tattoos seem to be a very common adornment many ladies are choosing to add to their bodies, for a wide range of reasons. However, those reasons won’t be touched on here. This article is all about ladies who have chosen to remain ink-free in today’s seemingly tattoo-crazed society. Read on to learn their reasons to stay clear of the tattoo artist’s needle. All photos sole courtesy of the ladies themselves except where otherwise noted.
“I like tattoos, just not on me unless they’re fake (laughs). I was always more of a piercer. I like to change my looks and once you have tattoos, you can cover up with certain makeup cover, but they’re always there, so no tattoos for me.”
– Diana Cousins, Model, Covington, Kentucky (Photo by Mark Birkle)
“I guess I have chosen to remain tattoo-free because I never really found anything of meaning to put on my body. If ever do, I am not closed to the idea.”
– Sara Barrett, Actress, Los Angeles, California
“I chose to be an ink-free model for a few reasons. This is my own personal perspective without others getting upset, but one of them is I prefer my body to be natural from ink. I love the fact that I feel beautiful and are considered a ‘rare’ model. Being a model without ink, I feel it gives me more of an advantage with modeling jobs. Plus, I don’t want to have to cover up for certain events if necessary. To me the human body looks sexy and more appealing without ink than with it. These are just my thoughts on this.”
– Bella DeMonè, Model, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“Well, I have lived through so much and seen so much and experienced so much ….so much good, yet so much bad ….why would I want to remember some of it on my body? I mean, yes, a lot of happiness and yes, a lot of sad. Yes, I have all these memories in my head. I don’t need a permanent mark on my body. Some things are better left unsaid or a secret! Don’t get me wrong; I think tattoos are beautiful and a piece of artwork. Maybe one day I will get a tattoo, but as of now, I am happy to be tattoo free!
– Alicia G., Former Reality Show Star and Singer, Buffalo, New York
“I think tattoos are cool and all, but just not on me. As an actress, tattoos limit us on projects as well as possibly typecast us to a specific role only. Nowadays, you can get fake tattoos that looks so real, so why damage my body and make it permanent, especially when you can have different (fake) tattoos any time you want?”
– Lien, Mya Nguyen, Actress, Magazine Publisher, Portland, Oregon
“Even though I am a pole dancer, I never even thought about getting a tattoo. I am from a very conservative Asian family, and Asians value very clear skin and complexions. Actually, the Japanese want skin to be as light and clear as possible, and my mom doesn’t like it that I always wear tanner!”
– Dawna Lee Heising, Actress, Entertainment Journalist, Huntington Beach, California
“I haven’t gotten any (tattoos) because I want to be really sure of what I would want. I have seen so many girls my age get a bunch of tattoos, then end up covering them up with something else, hating them, or otherwise. I’m sure I’ll get some one day, but until I find an artist who does great work, I won’t. I also would never want large pieces, or sleeves or anything. I have always been super feminine and girly, and I love the vintage look. I don’t think being inked up a lot would go with that. Also, I’m an actress, and it’s much easier to draw on tattoos is the character calls for it rather than cover them up. I think tattoos are cool, and I’ve definitely liked some pieces. I’m just more into the dainty, easy to hide ones than the others.”
– Jordan Phipps, Actress, Atlanta, Georgia
“There are times I’ve thought about getting a tattoo but there was nothing I could think of that meant enough to me to have it permanently on my body. I like that I can wear whatever I want and the issue of having it covered is never a problem.”
– Alyssia Rivera, Actress, San Antonia, Texas
“I have chosen no tattoos because I favor no tattoos. I don’t like tattoos.”
– Serena Meloni, Model and Actress, Narni, Italy
“I’m the type of person who really enjoys changing up my look. It’s one of the reasons acting is so appealing to me. Most of my friends have at least one tattoo, and I’ve considered getting one in the past. I also know I’d get bored and regret it eventually. I find it easier to simply toy with the idea through makeup and a character, rather than making anything permanent.”
– Christina King, Actress, Omaha, Nebraska
“Tattoos were originally created as a mark of slavery is what someone said. I appreciate the tribal etchings on men and different cultures. I even find some attractive, but I like my skin ink free. I’m liberated and creative. I’d be bored to death if the same thing was embedded on my skin day after day …. I’d be bored of it. I like freedom to breathe.”
– Venus Templonuevo, CEO and Founder of Artred Couture, San Francisco, California
“First, I’d love to say that I like tattoos. I have nothing against them and I have always respected the ones who decided to alter their body with this very ancient and meaningful ritual. I loved men with tattoos and most of my close friends of every age and gender have them and I enjoy listening to the intimate stories behind each of them. I personally decided to leave my body as it is, mostly for three main reasons. I grew up in the countryside of Italy, in very close contact with wilderness and I have always admired the beauty and simplicity of nature and things as they are. I have always liked my body as mother nature intended it. The best form of decoration for me is to keep myself healthy with exercise, nutrition, personal care, light makeup, and self love. Also, growing in Italy, I have been exposed to classical models of beauty. My eyes have been saturated with images from the greatest artists and painters and sculptors who imprinted such ideals of beauty and harmony in me. Tattooing my body would be like seeing a tattoo on top of a Raffaello sculpture! Ultimately, I think it’s a heritage I have always carried in my being. Lastly, I am skeptical of everything that is permanent and fixed. I am a free spirited woman and I allow and encourage myself to continuously change and become. I have never needed to permanently mark my body to exult a particular moment of my life. I carry memories and unforgettable moments underneath my skin, down to my bones in my heart and blood forever.”
– Ilaria Malvezzi, Dancer, Actress, and Filmmaker, New York City, by way of Florence, Italy (Photo by Francesco Rossi Photography)
“The reason I don’t have tattoos is purely financial. I simply can’t afford one. Sure, I could set aside $50 for a simple one, but I probably won’t get the tattoo I really want. I also have an obsession with symmetry and practicality. I don’t make purchases unless that purchase serves a clear purpose. If anything I would probably get the word ‘left’ tattooed on my left forearm and ‘right’ on my right because then I would have both symmetry AND a practical use for those tattoos.”
– Robyn Blake, Comedienne, Fetish Model, and Lyft Driver, Pomona, California (Photo by T’Chala Hawk)
“I don’t have tattoos on my body. I have used henna tattoo before for photo shoots, but I have chosen to be tattoo-free because I love to have natural looking and clean skin.”
– Shela Amia Zamora, Actress and Model, Manila, Philippines
“As a child growing up on the Island of Trinidad and Tobago, the old people would say not to get a tattoo, I’d ask; ‘Why?’ and they’d say that if you ever got one that you’d be giving your soul to the devil …..and being 45 years old, I’ve never gotten one because I was told that as a child. I do, however, admire other people’s tattoos, but would not want to do that to my body. Being that I’m a bartender as well, customers ask me all the time why I don’t have tattoos, and I tell them the same story as I have told you. I often wonder what the customers think of me not having a tattoo, because it just seems to be the norm to have tattoos because I’m a bartender. One never knows, I guess.”
– Wanda Maharaj, Bartender, San Diego, California
“The question, ‘Do you have any tattoos?’ is now a standard in the modeling industry. The intricate designs and beautiful colors have come a long way from the black-inked eagle my uncles wore proudly. There are beautiful women with tattoos and I’m certainly not against them. As for me, I love change and as of today, I’ve not found anything I love enough to wear forever. If I was ever inspired to get a tattoo, I’d probably keep adding to the design and end up with a sleeve.”
– Andi Gudgeon, Actress, Cincinnati, Ohio
(June 2023 Author’s Note: Andi is no longer among the ranks of these ladies. See the comments below this article.)
“I’m a 70s child ….I like natural bodies in Playboy magazines from the 60s and 70s with tan lines and real bush! Plus, I’m very noncommittal when it comes to any visual image. I studied as a visual artist, so I see imagery as a language and there’s nothing I’m that attached to, that I would want to put on my body. Anything I’m really attached to I hold in my heart I don’t want to see it on my skin! But that said, I think tattoos are beautiful and I love seeing them on other people!”
– Corinne Lea, Pinup Model, Burlesque Performer, CEO of the Rio Theater, Vancouver, Canada
“Ha! Why would I want to mess with perfection? I find my body a pretty finished work of art! But seriously, I don’t like needles that much, plus I love recreating vintage pinups, especially cover illustrations and tattoos would get in the way. I am a purist when it comes to reenactment! But I am happy to live in a society where individuality and personal artistic expression is accepted or even celebrated. Tattoos are very personal and I like them, but on someone else’s body.”
– Mala Mastroberte, Model, Marketing Professional, New Jersey
“That’s a good question honestly. I guess I never liked tattoos. Being an artist myself I’m incredibly picky about art. I’ve only wanted to own originals not collect them on my body. I love skins natural untouched look. We are already works of art. Distracting to me to see tattoos covering someone. I do have two (piercings) in each ear. Only on the lobe. It is rare. Everyone has always tried to talk me into something. I just don’t need it. I use hair color, make up and clothing. That I can change. Its enough for me. And I cant foresee doing it down the road. Permanent body changes make me nervous. With tattoos as an artist ,I would see any line mistakes or bad anatomy or design and I would hate to have bad art forever on me. Even if it was just a tiny line. I’m too OCD. It would bother me.”
– Layla Faith Cisco, Model, Cosplayer, Owner of Forbidden Ink, Phoenix, Arizona
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Diana is a good as it gets! Sexy and classy! Such a tease and a throwback to the Vargus pin up girls! It’s no wonder she is the first in the group of pictures!
Andi Gudgeon isn’t ink-free anymore. She now has two Chinese characters on her arm. Any idea what they mean?
Those Chinese characters on Andi’s arm mean “freedom.”
Those Chinese characters on Andi’s arm mean “freedom.”