Honestly, if you looked at Selena Gomez back in her Wizards of Waverly Place days, you probably wouldn't have pegged her as someone who’d end up with a collection of nearly 20 tattoos. She had that squeaky-clean Disney image. But fast forward to 2026, and the "Love You Like a Love Song" singer has used her skin as a literal diary of her life’s most intense moments.
So, does Selena Gomez have a tattoo? Yeah, she has sixteen of them—at least the ones we can actually see.
It's not just random art, either. Most of her ink is tiny, hidden, and deeply personal. She isn't the type to get a massive "sleeve" just for the aesthetic. Instead, she gets these delicate "micro-tattoos" that usually celebrate her faith, her family, or the friends who stayed by her side when things got really dark.
The One Everyone Got Wrong
You've probably seen that tiny mark on her right wrist. Back in 2012, when she first got it, the internet went into a total meltdown thinking it was a tiny heart for her then-boyfriend Justin Bieber.
Nope.
Selena eventually had to clear the air with Access Hollywood, explaining it’s actually a musical note. "Music is a big influence in my life," she said. It makes sense. She was named after the Tejano legend Selena Quintanilla, so music is basically in her DNA. It was her very first piece of ink, and it set the tone for everything that came after: small, black, and meaningful.
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That Huge Watercolor Rose on Her Back
If you’re looking for her most dramatic piece, it’s the one on her shoulder blade. It’s a massive, dripping watercolor rose that looks like it’s bleeding down her spine. It’s stunning.
She debuted this one in late 2021, and it turns out it's a matching tattoo with her longtime friend Cara Delevingne. Selena told Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest that Cara calls her "Rosebud," which is just about the cutest nickname ever. While Selena has the rose on her back, Cara has the exact same design on her ribs.
It’s a far cry from the tiny "g" she has behind her ear (which is for her sister, Gracie) or the "LXXVI" on the back of her neck. That Roman numeral stands for 76, which most fans believe is a tribute to her mom, Mandy Teefey, who was born in 1976.
The Tattoos That Tell Her Health Story
Some of Selena’s tattoos are actually pretty heavy when you know the context. She’s been very open about her battle with Lupus and her kidney transplant. On her right arm, just above the elbow, she has a series of numbers.
That’s the date of her kidney transplant.
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She got it to match with Francia Raisa, the friend who actually donated the kidney. It’s a permanent reminder of a moment that literally saved her life.
Then there’s the semicolon on her wrist. If you’ve seen 13 Reasons Why, you know she executive produced it. She got that tattoo with cast members Tommy Dorfman and Alisha Boe to support Project Semicolon, a group dedicated to suicide prevention. It represents the idea that a story isn't over yet—the author could have chosen to end the sentence, but they didn't.
A Quick Breakdown of the Main Hits
- The Arabic Script: Located on her upper right back. It translates to "Love Yourself First." She got this long before she released "Lose You to Love Me," proving she's been on that self-love journey for a decade.
- Rare: A dainty script right under her ear. This was obviously for her 2020 album, but she’s said it’s also a reminder of how she wants to feel about herself.
- The Cross: A very fine-line cross on her left collarbone. Selena is famously spiritual, and this 2021 addition by Bang Bang (her go-to artist) is her most visible nod to her faith.
- God Who Strengthens Me: This one is on her hip. It’s a reference to Philippians 4:13. She actually kept this one hidden for over a year before anyone noticed it during a beach trip.
Why She Always Goes to "Bang Bang"
Almost every single piece of ink on Selena’s body comes from Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy. He’s the guy in NYC who tattoos everyone from Rihanna to LeBron James.
Selena seems to value the privacy and the relationship she has with her artists. Getting a tattoo is a vulnerable thing, especially when the subject matter is your organ transplant or your mental health struggles. She’s been quoted saying she "caught the bug" after the first one, but she’s been remarkably disciplined about keeping them classy and "hidden in plain sight."
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Ink
The biggest misconception is that her tattoos are just "celebrity branding."
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They aren't.
In fact, she’s gone to great lengths to hide many of them for years. She isn't doing it for the "gram" or for a magazine cover. When she got the number "4" on her arm, it was a private moment with three of her best friends. When she got the "1" on her ribs, it was specifically for her best friend Courtney Lopez.
These are markers of her life.
Actionable Takeaways for Selena Fans
If you’re looking to get a tattoo inspired by Selena, there are a few things you should keep in mind about her specific style:
- Placement is Everything: Selena often chooses "fleshy" areas like the ribs, hips, or the back of the neck. These are places that can be easily covered by hair or clothing.
- Fine Line is Key: She almost never goes for bold, traditional lines. Her tattoos are "Single Needle" or "Fine Line" work, which gives them that delicate, jewelry-like look.
- Meaning Over Aesthetic: Don't just get a rose because it looks cool. Think about what symbolizes your "Rosebud" moment or your "Rare" era.
Selena Gomez has proven that tattoos don't have to be loud to be powerful. Whether it's the Arabic script on her back or the tiny "sunshine" on her foot (a tribute to her grandma), each piece of ink is a chapter of her survival story.
Check out the "Rare" music video or her 2022 Emmy Awards appearance to see how she styles her back and neck pieces with high-fashion looks.