In the world of celebrity body art, few things have caused quite as much of a stir as when Amber Rose decided to ink her forehead. It wasn't just a small, subtle mark tucked away by the hairline; it was bold, it was script, and it was right there for everyone to see. Honestly, the internet basically lost its mind when she first debuted it. People were calling it a "mistake" or saying she was "too pretty" for a face tat. But if you know anything about Amber Rose, she’s never really cared about the status quo.
So, what does Amber Rose’s forehead tattoo say? It’s pretty simple once you know the story, but the meaning behind it is actually quite sweet. The script across her forehead reads "Bash Slash."
It sounds like a comic book sound effect or a cool band name, but it’s actually a tribute to the two most important people in her life: her sons.
The Story Behind Bash and Slash
If you aren’t keeping up with every detail of Amber’s life, "Bash" and "Slash" might sound a bit cryptic. They’re actually the nicknames of her two children.
Sebastian Taylor Thomaz, her oldest son with rapper Wiz Khalifa, has gone by the nickname Bash since he was tiny. He’s often seen on her social media, and they seem to have a super close bond. Then there’s her younger son, Slash Electric Alexander Edwards, whom she shares with music executive Alexander "AE" Edwards.
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Getting your kids' names tattooed isn’t exactly a new concept—plenty of parents have a "mom" heart or a birthdate inked somewhere. But putting it on your forehead? That’s a massive statement. Amber has mentioned in interviews that she wanted to honor them in a way that was permanent and visible. She didn’t want to hide her love for them. It’s a literal badge of motherhood.
Why the Forehead? The Kobe Bryant Connection
You might wonder why she chose such a prominent spot. I mean, she has plenty of other tattoos—she’s got two full sleeves, after all. Why the face?
Amber actually opened up about this on the Fox Soul series One on One with Keyshia Cole. She admitted that the tragic death of Kobe Bryant in early 2020 really shifted her perspective on life. It’s one of those things where you realize how short everything is. She was 36 at the time and had been wanting the tattoo for a while but was hesitant.
After that tragedy, she basically decided to stop waiting. She felt that life is too fleeting to worry about what people think or to put off things you really want to do. Her father had also dealt with cancer around the age of 40, which added to that feeling of "live your best life now." She figured, if she wanted to honor her kids on her face, why should she let societal norms stop her?
The Artist Behind the Ink
The actual work was done by Jacob Ramirez, a well-known tattoo artist in Los Angeles. If you look closely at the script, it’s a very clean, elegant cursive. It’s not messy or rushed. Even if you aren't a fan of face tattoos, you have to admit the craftsmanship is solid.
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Interestingly, she wasn't the only one in the house getting face ink. Her then-boyfriend, AE, also got a forehead tattoo around the same time. His features the birthdates of both Bash and Slash (10-10-19 and 2-21-13) with a lightning bolt in between. It was a total "blended family" move, showing that they were both fully committed to their kids and each other at the time.
Dealing With the Haters
Of course, the backlash was immediate. People on Twitter and Instagram were brutal. Even Wendy Williams weighed in, famously asking why she would "ruin" her forehead.
Amber’s response was classic Muva. She posted a photo in red lingerie, showing off the ink, with a caption that basically said beauty is what’s on the inside. She told her followers that the people saying she was "too pretty" for a face tattoo are the same people who would find something else to criticize even if she didn't have it.
Her philosophy? "Do whatever the f*ck you want in life."
It’s a sentiment that resonates with a lot of people who feel pressured to look or act a certain way. She isn't just a model or a celebrity; she’s an activist who has spent years fighting against "slut-shaming" and for women’s bodily autonomy through her SlutWalk movement. To her, the tattoo is just another form of self-expression and taking control of her own narrative.
Is It Permanent?
There was some confusion for a minute. Back at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where Amber made a surprise appearance to support Donald Trump, some fans thought the tattoo looked different or might have been a temporary choice for a specific "look."
However, all signs point to it being very real. She has spoken about it as a permanent life choice inspired by deep personal reflection. While she’s changed her hair, her politics, and her partners over the years, the "Bash Slash" ink remains a constant fixture.
What This Means for Celebrity Culture
Amber Rose’s forehead tattoo sort of paved the way for more mainstream acceptance of face tattoos in the celeb world. We’ve seen it with Post Malone, Justin Bieber, and Presley Gerber. It’s less about "rebellion" now and more about personal branding and storytelling.
When you see "Bash" and "Slash" on her forehead, you aren't just seeing ink; you're seeing a mother who is obsessed with her kids and isn't afraid to let the world know it. It’s raw, it’s bold, and honestly, it’s very Amber Rose.
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What to take away from this
If you’re thinking about getting a face tattoo yourself (or any tattoo, really), here are a few things to keep in mind based on Amber’s journey:
- Meaning Matters: She didn't just pick a random design; it’s deeply tied to her family.
- Timing is Everything: She waited until she felt a personal shift in perspective before pulling the trigger.
- Own Your Choices: If you’re going to do something bold, you have to be ready to ignore the noise.
- Quality Over Everything: If it's going on your face, find a pro like Jacob Ramirez. Don't skimp on the artist.
Check out her social media to see how the ink has aged over the last few years; it's a great example of how fine-line script holds up on the face.