Ariana Grande has a lot of ink. Like, a lot. While most fans are busy counting the 60-plus designs scattered across her arms and hands, the real story is often hiding right in plain sight. Or, more accurately, right on the back of her head.
If you’ve ever seen her signature high ponytail sway, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of the Ariana Grande neck tattoo that started it all. Well, one of them. She actually has several in that general vicinity, but the "mille tendresse" script is the one that basically launched a thousand Pinterest boards.
It’s fine-line. It’s delicate. Honestly, it’s very her. But there is a lot of confusion about what these pieces actually mean and why she keeps covering them up lately.
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The "Mille Tendresse" Mystery
Back in 2014, Ariana took a trip to see artist Romeo Lacoste. She was only 20. She walked out with "mille tendresse" etched in black cursive across the nape of her neck.
What does it mean? It’s French for "a thousand tendernesses."
If you’re a film buff, you already know the reference. It’s a direct nod to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Audrey Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly, says the line in the 1961 classic. Given Ariana’s well-documented obsession with Audrey, the choice wasn't exactly a shocker.
But here is where things get slightly messy.
During her whirlwind romance with Pete Davidson in 2018, Pete actually got the exact same tattoo in the exact same spot. Matching neck ink is a bold move for a relationship that lasted about five minutes in "real person" time. After they split, Pete ended up covering his with the word "cursed" in heavy black ink.
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Ariana? She kept hers. It was hers first, anyway.
That Tiny Crescent Moon
Just below her left ear, there’s another piece that people often miss. It’s a tiny, thin-outline crescent moon. She got this one in 2015, and she didn't get it alone.
She actually got matching moons with her backup dancer and close friend, Brian Nicholson.
Some fans at the time were kinda annoyed by it. They called it "blink-and-you’ll-miss-it" sized. But that’s the thing about Ari’s style—she pioneered that "micro-tattoo" aesthetic long before it was every girl's first tattoo in 2024. For her, the moon represents "moonlight," a recurring theme in her music and a nickname she’s used for years.
Why is she covering them up?
If you’ve watched any recent footage of her—think the Wicked press tour or the 2024 Met Gala—you might have noticed something weird.
The tattoos are gone. Or they look like they are.
People started spiraling on Reddit, wondering if she was getting laser removal. The truth is much more practical (and a little less dramatic).
- The Glinda Factor: Playing Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked required a totally "clean" look. You can't really have a French film quote on the back of a character's neck in Oz. She spent years filming that movie, which meant daily sessions with heavy-duty concealer.
- R.E.M. Beauty Testing: Ariana has literally admitted to using her own skin as a testing ground for her R.E.M. Beauty concealer. What better way to prove your product works than by hiding 60 tattoos?
- A Shift in Aesthetic: She’s 32 now. The "vibe" has shifted from the "7 Rings" era of maximalist ink to a softer, more refined look. Sometimes she just wants the tattoos to be quiet for a night.
The Butterfly That Appeared (and Disappeared)
Lately, there’s been talk about a butterfly on her neck/shoulder area. She’s had butterflies on her arms for years, but she recently added new ones as a tribute to her time filming Wicked.
She calls the experience "transformative."
The butterfly is a classic symbol of change, but for her, it’s specifically tied to the growth she felt while living in London and filming. It’s a bit of a "new era" marker.
What to consider before you copy her
Thinking about getting your own Ariana Grande neck tattoo? It’s a vibe, but there are a few things you should know first.
Neck skin is thin. Like, really thin.
Tattoos in this area tend to "bleed" or blur over time more than they would on your forearm. If you want that crisp, dainty look Ariana has, you need an artist who specializes in fine-line work. Someone like Mira Mariah (GirlKnewYork), who did many of Ariana's other pieces.
Also, it hurts. It’s not "get a rib tattoo" pain, but it’s definitely a spicy spot.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Research the Artist: If you want fine-line script like "mille tendresse," look for portfolios that show healed work from 2+ years ago. Fine lines often disappear if not done deep enough.
- Placement is Key: Use a temporary marker to test the placement of a neck tattoo with your hair up and down. Ariana’s is high enough that it’s hidden by her hair when it’s down, which is a major pro for versatility.
- Check the Translation: If you’re going for a foreign language, double-check the grammar. Ariana famously had a "7 Rings" tattoo that accidentally translated to "small charcoal grill" in Japanese. Don't be that person.
The neck tattoos are a map of her life—from her Audrey Hepburn phase to the chaos of 2018 and the transformation of Wicked. They aren't just "cool ink"; they're basically her diary.