You’ve seen the photos. Scarlett Johansson, usually draped in something like Armani or Roland Mouret, turns her head, and there it is: a masterclass in what pro piercers call "ear curation." It isn't just a random assortment of holes. It's an intentional, high-end collection that has changed how people think about "edgy" jewelry on the red carpet.
Honestly, ScarJo (can we still call her that?) was one of the first major A-listers to make the "curated ear" a thing. She didn't just stop at two lobe piercings and call it a day. Instead, she’s built a asymmetrical, gold-and-diamond map across her cartilage that looks both expensive and remarkably cool.
The Scarlett Johansson Ear Piercing Map
If you’re trying to count them all during a press junket for Jurassic World Rebirth, it’s easy to lose track. Her left ear is where the real action happens. Most experts and close-up red carpet shots confirm she has about nine or ten piercings on that side alone.
On the left, she typically sports:
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- Five lobe piercings: These usually start with a large statement piece or a diamond solitaire and taper up into smaller gold hoops.
- Two helix piercings: These are located on the outer rim of the upper ear.
- One tragus: That tiny flap of cartilage right in front of the ear canal. She often keeps a dainty diamond stud here.
- One conch: This is the inner cup of the ear. She’s been spotted wearing a yellow gold flower or a marquise-cut diamond piece in this spot.
- One forward helix (or anti-helix): The part of the ear rim closest to the face, above the tragus.
Her right ear? Total opposite. She keeps it almost entirely bare, usually just a single lobe piercing. This "weighted" look—heavy on one side, minimal on the other—is a classic styling trick that prevents the jewelry from looking cluttered or overwhelming her face.
The Famous "Today Show" Incident
Usually, celebrities get these things done in private, high-end studios like So Gold Studios in Brooklyn or with legendary piercers like Brian Keith Thompson at Body Electric in LA. But back in January 2025, Scarlett did something most publicists would have a heart attack over. She got a new piercing live on television.
While co-hosting with Jenna Bush Hager on Today, she brought in Cassi Lopez-March from So Gold Studios. Scarlett went first, sitting there in a sweater while a needle went through her cartilage in front of millions of viewers. She admitted it "wasn't great" (piercings hurt, even for Black Widow), but it solidified her status as someone who actually cares about the craft of body art rather than just wearing what a stylist hands her.
How to Get the Look Without the Regret
If you want to mimic the Scarlett Johansson ear piercing vibe, you can't just walk into a mall with a piercing gun. Cartilage is finicky. It doesn't have its own blood supply, so it heals much slower than your lobes. We’re talking six months to a year for a conch or helix to fully "settle."
Step 1: Anatomy is Everything
Not everyone has the shelf space for a triple forward helix or the right "lip" on their ear for a specific hoop. A professional piercer will look at your ear and tell you what’s actually possible. Scarlett has a very well-defined helix, which is why her rows of gold hoops look so organized.
Step 2: Quality Over Everything
Scarlett is known for mixing metals, but she mostly sticks to 14k or 18k yellow gold and high-clarity diamonds. If you have sensitive skin, you need to stick to:
- Implant-grade titanium: The gold standard for healing.
- Solid gold: (At least 14k) to avoid the "green ear" syndrome from cheap alloys.
- Niobium: Another great hypoallergenic option.
Step 3: The "Taper" Rule
Look at her red carpet photos from the Venice Film Festival or her recent Jurassic World premieres. She almost always wears her largest, heaviest jewelry (like those stunning Nikos Koulis pear-shaped diamonds) in the first lobe hole. As she moves up the ear, the jewelry gets smaller. This creates a visual "lift" that draws the eye upward and makes the whole setup look intentional.
Common Misconceptions About Her Piercings
People often mistake her "industrial" look for a single bar. While she has worn jewelry that looks like a traditional industrial (a long bar connecting two points of cartilage), she more frequently wears "stacked" individual pieces. This is actually smarter for long-term comfort. A single long bar puts a lot of pressure on the ear, especially when you're sleeping or wearing headphones. By using individual studs and hoops, she gets the same edgy aesthetic with way less irritation.
Another thing? The pain. People see her smiling on the red carpet and think cartilage piercings are a breeze. They aren't. A tragus or conch piercing is about a 6/10 on the pain scale for most people. It's a sharp "crunch" followed by months of "don't touch me."
What to Do Next
If you’re ready to start your own curation journey, don’t try to get nine piercings in one sitting. Your immune system will hate you.
- Find an APP (Association of Professional Piercers) member: This ensures they follow the highest safety and sterilization standards.
- Start with the "Power Three": A first lobe, a second lobe, and a single helix. This gives you a foundation to build on.
- Invest in "threadless" jewelry: This is what the pros use. Instead of a screw-on back that can traps bacteria, the decorative top simply "presses" into the post. It’s more secure and much more comfortable.
The takeaway from the Scarlett Johansson ear piercing evolution is simple: it’s about personality. She mixes vintage Fred Leighton brooches with modern, punk-inspired cartilage hoops. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about the "mix."
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Start by choosing one "focal point" piece for your first lobe and then build a story around it with smaller, simpler studs. Keep the cleaning simple—sterile saline spray twice a day—and let your body do the rest of the work.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your current piercings: Check if your existing holes are healthy and placed in a way that allows for "stacking."
- Consult a stylist-piercer: Look for studios that offer "curation consultations" to map out a long-term plan based on your ear shape.
- Prioritize metal quality: Replace any "mystery metal" jewelry with solid 14k gold or titanium to prevent irritation before adding new holes to the mix.