Pete Davidson Gets New Face Tattoo Honoring Daughter After Spending a Fortune on Removals, Igniting Buzz Over Timing — Photos

Pete Davidson stepped out at a major Hollywood event with a fresh face tattoo, reigniting buzz just years after committing to removing hundreds of his old ones.

The "Saturday Night Live" alum has spent years painfully erasing his past, yet his latest addition suggests that some memories are simply too important to leave off the skin.

While fans expected a fully ink-free Pete by 2035, a fresh piece of art has appeared in a very visible spot, sparking a massive debate online about his sudden change of heart.

Critics are already questioning the timing of this new addition, especially since he just dropped a small fortune to have his old collection professionally removed from his body.

A Costly Clean Slate

Pete's tattoo era appeared to be coming to a definitive end as he shared updates on his progress over the last year. He famously committed to the removal process back in 2020, and the journey has been anything but cheap.

To date, the actor has reportedly spent about 200K on laser sessions, and he is still only about 30% of the way through the job. The process is notoriously grueling, requiring him to schedule treatments between his various acting projects to allow for healing.

He has described the sensation as being similar to having a layer of skin burned off on a hot grill. Despite the agony, he seemed determined to reach the finish line and present a totally blank slate to the public.

Leaving the Past Behind

The decision to go under the laser was rooted in a desire for a fresh start after years of personal struggles. Pete admitted that his old ink reminded him of a time when he felt unsure of himself and struggled with substance abuse.

He noted that many of his previous designs, like a specific SpongeBob SquarePants image, lacked any real meaning. By clearing his skin, he hoped to remove the visual reminders of a sadder version of himself that he no longer recognized.

So far, he has successfully cleared most of the ink from his hands, neck, and arms. He even joked that tattoo removal will be the next big business trend once the "inked-up" look officially goes out of style for good.

The Big Reveal in Vegas

However, out with the old ink apparently means making room for something much more significant. On April 15, 2026, Pete spoke onstage during the Amazon MGM Studios CinemaCon presentation at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

While he was there to discuss his upcoming projects, fans were distracted by a new, dark mark on his profile. It turns out Pete has officially broken his streak by adding a brand-new piece of art directly to his face in a very prominent location.

The delicate lettering is located vertically, right near his left ear, perfectly framed by his signature black baseball cap. It simply reads "Scottie," which is a direct and permanent tribute to his 4-month-old daughter, Scottie Rose.

Fans Sound Off

The timing of the new ink has left social media users divided, especially considering the physical and financial toll of his removal journey. This is his first child with girlfriend Elsie Hewitt, and while the gesture is sentimental, many wonder why he chose his face for the new addition.

One follower questioned the logic of the move given his recent history, writing, "He just had so many tattoos removed why do this!" Another commenter offered a more critical take on the artistic quality of the face piece.

"Lol. Although a lovely sentiment, it's not a super clean tattoo. This man never learned his lesson! A 20-minute Google search would have shown him the best of the best in lettering!" they posted.

Despite the critics, some are simply happy to see him embracing fatherhood so openly. One fan summed up the feeling with a simple message: "❤️ The name."

Another supporter commented, "The best tattoo out of all of them. ❤️." Some focused specifically on the location of the art.

A netizen noted, "Love the placement," while another felt the spot was odd, saying, "Weird he would choose that spot considering he removed his arm tats 🤷‍♀️."

One final comment summarized the general confusion of the fan base: "Listen. I support him on all this journey all day. But I still think spending that much on tattoo removal just to get a (subtle) face tattoo is a choice lol."

This fresh ink serves as a lasting reminder of the day Pete's life changed forever, a milestone he celebrated just months ago with a series of intimate glimpses into his new world.

A liitle over four months ago, "The King of Staten Island" star and his model girlfriend welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson.

The couple introduced her in a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing emotional scenes from the hospital and their home that quickly drew admiration online.

Their little girl was born on December 12, 2025. The announcement came in the form of a carousel of deeply intimate photos.

Elsie described Scottie as "our perfect angel girl" and said, "my best work yet, i am absolutely overflowing with love and gratitude and disbelief." Pete kept his caption short but personal, "wu tang forever."

One of the first photos shows Elsie standing by a large window, holding her newborn while looking down at her baby, with a snow-covered landscape behind them.

Another photo takes viewers straight to the moment Scottie was born. Elsie is seen lying in a hospital bed with her newborn resting on her chest, while Pete leans in to kiss her forehead.

A tender close-up reveals Scottie's tiny hand gripping a finger, under soft pink lighting. Tiny ribbons are scattered across her cream-colored onesie.

In another shot, Pete sits on a hospital couch by the window, gently feeding Scottie with a bottle as natural light filters in behind them.

A playful image adds a touch of humor. Scottie is asleep on a blanket while a miniature soy sauce bottle is held in front of the camera for size comparison.

Another photo in the set captured Elsie and Pete in the hospital, each kissing Scottie on the head as they cradled her together. Elsewhere, an image showed Elsie standing by a snow-covered window, holding her newborn, with Pete beside her.

Netizens could not help but be in awe of the couple's milestone. The name Scottie Rose appears to carry deep meaning. A netizen pointed out that Scottie may have been named after Pete's father and called it the sweetest gesture, sending warm congratulations.

Another commenter wrote, "I'm crying named after his Dad. Beautiful," while a second added, "Congratulations, what a blessing absolutely love the name!!!" Someone else chimed in, "the most perfect girl to exist!!!!!"

A Playful and Intimate Pregnancy Reveal: Inside Their First Baby Announcement

The couple announced their pregnancy in July 2025 with an Instagram post that combined a cheeky sense of humor with heartfelt intimacy. Several photos captured a blend of joy, tenderness, and calm.

The highlight of the post showed Elsie and Pete standing in a lush green field, holding hands and looking at each other. Another photo showed them sharing a hug.

The next photos brought viewers indoors: a mirror selfie with Elsie in a patterned robe and Pete smiling in a white outfit behind her, followed by a playful close-up of the couple smiling, and a moment on a staircase, where Pete sat shirtless behind Elsie with his arms around her.

Pete Davidson Opens up About Becoming a Dad and the Support He's Receiving From His SNL Circle

After Elsie's announcement, Pete shared how excited he was to become a father. He appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" shortly after the pregnancy news went public.

Speaking to host Jimmy Fallon, Pete said, "If anybody who knows me, it's my dream to be a dad, so I'm so excited. Elsie's excited. I'm excited, you know, to see her be a mom. So we're stoked."

Pete later shared more about his thoughts on fatherhood in another interview with E! News. He said he felt "very lucky and very, very happy," and spoke candidly about what becoming a dad meant to him.

He explained that he's most excited about being able to care for someone and provide the kind of upbringing he didn't have himself. Pete also stated he hopes to give his child the things he missed growing up, and simply "not do" the things he didn't like.

Pete said he's been surrounded by encouragement from fellow "Saturday Night Live" stars Adam Sandler and Colin Jost, who are both experienced dads. He shared that they've offered advice and reassured him he’ll do well in the role, with Adam in particular passing along helpful guidance.

"It's been really nice that everyone's super excited," he shared. "When you do something, when we do anything, you want everyone to be excited, especially having a child."

Inside Pete and Elsie's Plans Beyond Parenthood

In October 2025, People shared that the couple was not only excited about having a baby. "Pete and Elsie have talked about marriage and are very committed to each other," a source told the outlet. "There will be an engagement at some point but they're not in a rush."

Another insider added that the duo were "very in love and right now their focus is on welcoming a healthy baby."

The couple's relationship began in March, after they were seen kissing in the ocean during a getaway to Palm Beach, Florida. Shortly after, Elsie confirmed the romance on Instagram with a playful post showing Pete laughing in a bathrobe while a retro episode of "Rugrats" played in the background.

In the months that followed, they stepped out publicly together. Their red carpet debut came just two months later, and during the event, Elsie spoke openly about how happy she was.

Not long after, the pair reportedly moved in together in New York, with sources close to them saying they were enjoying life as a couple and doing well.