Confession time: we’ve been reporting on Machine Gun Kelly for a bit, mostly because of his thing with Megan Fox. Prior to that, I really only knew him by name. I hadn’t heard his music or read much beyond Kaiser’s posts. But my husband and I like those Vanity Fair Slang School videos and came across Kelly’s Cleveland Slang the other day. For my first exposure to him, I thought he was fun.
I don’t find his latest tattoo that fun, however. Kelly has a pretty extensive ink collection, but his latest is a bit jarring. Kelly got a tattoo running up the front of his neck that looks as though it’s been sliced:
I’m asking these questions in all seriousness: where does one get this sort of inspiration? Would a tattoo artist suggest this if a client came in looking for ideas or does the client have to insist on this? Also, how is that going to fade? I guess the good news is that it is easily covered up with another design. I find it slightly intriguing as art, but that is only because I know it’s a tattoo. If I saw him walking down the street or even in a photo with no reference, I’d be quite upset. I sincerely wonder how many times he’ll be stopped and asked if he needs assistance by good Samaritans passing by.
Some people have gotten incision scars tattooed to match their partner or child, I’ve always found that a kind gesture. It’s possible there is significance in this for Kelly, but he has not given any yet. It doesn’t seem to be linked to his new unisex nail polish line, either.
This is interesting, but I really hope open wounds don’t become a trend in tattoos.
Photo credit: Instagram and Backgrid
They are a weird match.
That tattoo is scary looking, but I guess that’s the purpose.
I think it’s the start of a larger tattoo. I’d bet he’ll be adding to this shortly, but wanted the shock value.
I really side-eye any dude over 15 who is super into The Joker.
I think he’s cute, scary tattoos and all.
Drugs.
His style is strange and I don’t dig his music but his smile is beautiful. If you see his modeling photos he’s definitely I handsome man.
I’ll just show myself out 😬
Nice coke pinky. These two always look strung out I think they are both using drugs
I was just trying to figure out why his eyes look so vacant. Is that it?
It’s interesting because Megan Fox has talked about how she doesn’t drink a lot, doesn’t party. She never struck me as a drug user, so… I wonder if that changed?
MF1 – I wonder that too. I’m not sure how someone fully committed to a sober lifestyle with children is able to date someone who is high a lot and parties. Unless she’s having a delayed adolescence after spending her 20s in a marriage with BAG.
His nom de guerre is Machine Gun Kelly. There’s also a big WTFWHY?, right there.
Because he’s dumb…there I solved the mystery
Agree, and this is how I know I am old and have lost any edge I might have ever had. It seems so unnecessary and self-indulgent. I have never and will never get the “LOOK AT ME!!!!” neediness of certain performers and their manufactured controversy. I thought it was awful, childish and dumb when it was Marilyn Mason in my youth, and my opinion has not changed in the ensuing 20+ years. It looks tragic and dumb.
Or maybe he’s just his own person and does what he wants because he can? Not everyone feels the need to fit in the little box society thinks they should. He’s also young, incredibly talented and successful, and has more money than he likely knows what to do with, so, you get weird tattoos. *shrug* I judge him over his rock career, not his body art. 😂
Trigger Warning!!!
Idk. I find this deeply gross. I have a friend who suffers from suicidal ideation that manifests itself often in daydreams to… do for real what MGK has tattooed on his neck. Hurting and harm aren’t something to glamorize or celebrate. Wounds are wounds. I don’t find it art. I find it indulgent, gross trash from someone who has likely had the privilege to never suffer in certain ways. I found him cute before this. Now I just find him insufferable.
I’m too old for this shiz. Best I can do.
Same. I don’t get the appeal at all, but whatever.
yup. this is attention-seeking at its finest.
I don’t even know who he is… And I don’t like tattoos..
Whatever.. As long as he does not hurt others… His skin, his tattoos, his life…
Eh. Machine Gun Kelly is lame, his music is bad, and he’s also like 30 but it’s just a tattoo.
I give this a solid meh.
He’s no different than the scores of people trying to be Sid Vicious way back when I was in my own phase. It’s old and tiresome, but I suppose some never outgrow their angst and ‘being different’ even though all the different folks look the same.
If any of my granddaughters appeared on my doorstep with this Halloween joker, I’d have a major cardiac event. Where is his mother? Grandmother?
I like that he has so much fun with his hair and makeup.
It’s just a tattoo? Am I the only one who isn’t bothered? It’s a lot better than putting a pink diamond in his forehead. That thing really creeps me out. I think when people get tats of wounds or scars it’s often meant to symbolize their inner trauma.
I kind of like it and think it’s original? I’ll give him points for that, however like Hecate said, I hope it doesn’t become a trend.
Hopefully she outgrows this “reliving my 20’s I never had” phase with this guy soon. He is no good.
Is this the new performative woke? He seems deeply troubled.