What Paris Jackson Would Look Like Without Her Tattoos

Paris Jackson, the daughter of pop icon Michael Jackson, has decorated her body with tattoos from head to toe. Many consider the 26-year-old's heavily inked figure a trademark of sorts, which is fair considering she has over 50 tattoos — well, 80, to be precise. That said, if you've ever wondered what the "Let Down" artist would look like without her extensive ink, you're in luck, as we edited out Jackson's tattoos via Photoshop to see what the star would look like if she never stepped foot in a tattoo parlor.

As with many creatives — including Kat Von D, whose ink we also edited out because we let our curiosity win — tattoos are one of the ways Jackson expresses herself and her love for others. For instance, she has a handful of tattoos that honor her late father and others that hold spiritual significance, such as the seven chakra signs on her chest. Not all of her tattoos carry an underlying meaning, but for the most part, Jackson's tattoos are an important aspect of her identity. Nonetheless, our curiosity won, just like with Kat Von D, and we hope this before-and-after comparison satisfies that what-if feeling for you as much as it did for us.

Not many people can say they sat through more than 50 tattoo sessions before the age of 30, so Paris Jackson certainly has an edge over others in the body modification department. Her skin is covered in various tattoo styles, with her patchwork sleeves being the most densely inked area on her body. Her 80 tattoos include a collage of quotes, animals, plants, and film references. Jackson also has tiny portraits of famous figures, such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Jean-Michel Basquiat — some of which were drawn herself.

Moreover, as a pop-rock star with folk roots, her ink collection wouldn't be complete without featuring one or two symbols from her favorite artists, such as the "Led Zeppelin IV" album logo on her arm and David Bowie's lightning bolt from "Aladdin Sane" on her right pinky finger. Most of her tattoos are in standard black ink, but some of the more unique designs utilize experimental art styles, including watercolor, full-color, white ink, and red ink.

Jackson doesn't let stereotypes define her, either, appearing at public events with calm sophistication. Jackson's stunning style transformation has made her something of a fashionista in recent years, and her tattoo sleeves never make her seem less elegant. She carries herself with grace, and her passion for art shines through in every red-carpet interview, erasing the outdated stereotype that you can't look classy or professional with inked skin. 

Paris Jackson's relationship with her appearance has been a shaky one. For instance, she told PopSugar in 2022, "It wasn't until the last couple of years that I've started feeling really good about myself and my body, and feeling comfortable and everything. Those moments of self-love aren't 24/7, but the bad moments are fewer and further between." Therefore, Jackson's tattoos not only serve as an outlet for self-expression but are also, in a way, acts of self-love.

However, even an ink-loving person like Jackson sometimes wants to work with a blank canvas when dressing up for a special event. So, in 2018, she surprised fans by covering up her tattoos for a photoshoot in Los Angeles. Then, this February, the model turned heads once again with her ink-free appearance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. For the big night, Jackson donned a black, strapless Celine dress with a cut-out piece along the abdomen. "The dress was so clean and sleek on its own, I thought covering my tattoos would let the dress stand out and create a minimal and chic vibe," Jackson told The Zoe Report. "I love my tattoos, and typically don't cover them, but it's fun to mix it up once in a while if the occasion or look calls for it. The great part about makeup in general is its versatility, so l love that I was able to use makeup to switch things up, but not permanently."