Honestly, if you’ve spent any time looking at Kaley Cuoco’s back, you’ve probably noticed that massive moth perched between her shoulder blades. It’s hard to miss. But the story of how it got there—and the "mistake" it’s hiding—is way more interesting than the ink itself.
People love to over-analyze celebrity tattoos. They look for deep, spiritual meanings or hidden messages about the universe. With Kaley, she’s the first to admit that sometimes a tattoo is just a very permanent way of saying, "Oops."
The Moth That Saved Her Back
Back in 2013, Kaley married tennis player Ryan Sweeting after a whirlwind romance. We’re talking three months of dating before the "I dos." In the heat of that honeymoon phase, they both got their wedding date—December 31, 2013—inked in Roman numerals (XII. XXXI. XIII). Kaley’s was right on her upper back.
Fast forward 21 months. The marriage ended, but the Roman numerals didn't.
Instead of going through the long, painful process of laser removal, Kaley headed to Studio City Tattoo in late 2015. She sat down with an artist named Nero and decided to cover the date entirely. The result? A giant, grey-and-black moth.
When fans started asking about the "deep, symbolic metamorphosis" of the moth, Kaley shut it down with her trademark bluntness. She posted on Instagram that the "meaningful" reason she chose the moth was simply that it was big enough to cover the old numbers.
"Note to self: do not mark your body with any future wedding dates," she joked. She even added the hashtag #under30mistakes. It’s that kind of honesty that makes her feel like someone you could actually grab a beer with.
That Script on Her Side
If you’ve seen her in a bikini or a crop top, you might have spotted the vertical script running down her left ribcage. This is one of her older pieces, and for a long time, it was a bit of a mystery.
It’s actually Chinese symbols. Now, there’s been a lot of internet chatter about whether it translates correctly—because let’s be real, celebrity kanji tattoos are a minefield—but Kaley has stated on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that it means "Faith."
It’s a stark contrast to the moth. Where the moth is bold and reactionary, the side script is delicate and personal. It’s also famously painful. Rib tattoos are no joke; the skin is thin, and the needle vibrates right against the bone.
The New Era: Tom and Matilda
The "no wedding dates" rule seems to have stuck, but that doesn't mean she’s done with romantic ink. Since getting together with Ozark star Tom Pelphrey, Kaley’s tattoo collection has grown in a much more settled, intentional way.
In 2022, shortly after they went public, she got a tiny, minimalist heart on her pinky finger. It was a subtle nod to being "heart on a sleeve" (or finger, in this case). But the real "aww" moment came after their daughter, Matilda, was born in 2023.
Kaley and Tom actually got matching tattoos to celebrate their new family. They each have a small, stylized amalgamation of the letters K, M, and T (Kaley, Matilda, Tom). Kaley chose her wrist for this one. It’s small, fine-line work—very trendy right now—and a far cry from the heavy blackwork of the moth.
The "Boop" Bond
Not all her ink is about romance or family. Kaley is notoriously close with her Flight Attendant co-star Zosia Mamet. To commemorate their friendship and their time on the show, they both got the word "Boop" tattooed on their forearms.
It’s a silly, inside-joke kind of tattoo. And honestly? Those are often the best ones. They remind you of a specific time and a specific person without needing to be a grand artistic statement.
What We Can Learn From Kaley's Ink Journey
If you’re thinking about following in her footsteps and getting some ink, there are a few "Kaley-certified" lessons to keep in mind:
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- Cover-ups are a valid Plan B. You don’t have to live with a reminder of an ex forever. A talented artist can turn a regret into a piece of art (even if it is a giant moth).
- Placement matters. Rib tattoos look great but hurt like hell. Wrists and fingers fade faster but are easier to hide if you’re an actor—or just have a conservative job.
- Don’t overthink the meaning. If you like the look of a moth because it covers up Roman numerals, that’s a good enough reason to get it.
- Wait on the "forever" stuff. Notice how she waited until after the baby was born and a year into her relationship with Tom before getting the initials? Experience is a great teacher.
Kaley Cuoco’s tattoos are basically a map of her life. They show the impulsive mistakes of her 20s and the grounded, family-oriented joy of her late 30s. She doesn't hide them, and she doesn't pretend they're all perfect. That’s probably why her fans love them so much.
Next Steps for You
If you're considering a cover-up like Kaley's, your first move should be finding an artist who specializes in "blackwork" or heavy illustrative styles. Traditional fine-line tattoos won't hide old ink. Look for portfolios that specifically show "before and after" shots of successful cover-ups to ensure they can handle the opacity needed to mask your old design.