Whether acting, singing, or choosing tattoos Lady Gaga is always unique. Her eclectic collection of body art and tributes reflect her strength, individuality, love for music and care for those around her.

Gain insight into her choices of ink and Gaga’s reasons for choosing them.

Like Marilyn Monroe, alter ego of Norma Jean, Lady Gaga is a larger than life version of Stefani Germanotta. It’s fitting then that she almost exclusively sports tattoos on the left side of her body to represent the two sides of Lady Gaga.

The following article delves into the body art of Lady Gaga for insight into what makes one of the entertainment world’s most interesting celebrities tick.

How many tattoos does Lady Gaga have?

Lady Gaga hasn’t held back in any area of life, and this including her approach to tattoos. She sports no less than 24 different individual designs, almost all of them etched down the left-hand side of her body.

She’s done her best to honor her father’s wish that she “keep the crazy to one side.” Although, with limited canvas left to work with Lady Gaga’s body art pieces are slowly finding their way to the right.

David Bowie Portrait

One of Lady Gaga’s only traditional style tattoos is a touching tribute to the late David Bowie. Citing the Thin White Duke as her greatest inspiration she was even chosen to perform the Grammys tribute to him after his passing.

At the time of getting inked she tweeted, “This was the image that changed my life.” It’s an incredibly appropriate choice for Gaga as the portrait she chose is the rock icon’s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.

 

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The piece itself is based off David Bowie as he appears on the cover of his 1972 album Aladdin Sane. The original is visually striking: Bowie’s milky white skin contrasting against a bright red and blue lightning bolt, soft red eyeshadow and red tinged dark brown hair.

Lady Gaga has chosen to have the whole piece rendered in tasteful black and grey. The exclusion of color adds reverence to the piece. With his eyes shut there’s a visible pathos in his face that fits with the grief she feels for his passing.