It was 2015 in Stockholm. The lights were hot, the energy was vibrating through the Grona Lund theme park, and Lenny Kravitz was doing what he does best—shredding a guitar while wearing skin-tight leather. Then, it happened. He crouched low, the seams of his trousers gave up the ghost, and suddenly, the internet had a new obsession.
People didn't just see Lenny; they saw the hardware.
The "Lenny Kravitz pierced" search query skyrocketed that night, not because people were surprised he was a rock star, but because they weren't prepared for the level of commitment he had to the aesthetic. Specifically, a very visible genital piercing. It was a moment that basically broke the early-era celebrity Twitter (X) and even prompted a viral "text" from Steven Tyler that simply said, "No underwear and pierced... You never showed me that."
Honestly, the mishap—later dubbed #PenisGate—wasn't just a tabloid blip. It was a rare, unfiltered look at a man who has lived his life as a walking piece of art for four decades.
The Piercer Who Knew Him Best
Most people think Lenny just woke up one day and decided to get metal shoved through his skin. Not really.
Elayne Angel, a legendary figure in the piercing world and author of The Piercing Bible, was actually his long-time piercer and friend. She met him way back in 1991 at a studio called Gauntlet in Los Angeles. At the time, Lenny already had one nostril pierced and wanted the other side done to match.
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Elayne has shared stories about how Lenny wasn't just a client; he was a fan of the craft. He’d hang out at her studio in New Orleans, watch her work on other people, and even brought his band members and various girlfriends in for their own "modifications."
There’s this great story she tells about walking through the French Quarter with him. A fan stopped them, and Lenny—thinking he was about to be mobbed—braced himself. Instead, the girl looked at Elayne and screamed, "Are you Elayne Angel, the piercer?" Lenny loved it. He liked that in that world, he wasn't the star; the woman with the needle was.
Not Just the "Nether" Regions
While the 2015 incident is what most people remember, Lenny's relationship with piercings is way more layered. He has been a champion of the "double nostril" look long before it was a TikTok trend.
The Lisa Bonet Influence
He’s been open about the fact that his ex-wife, Lisa Bonet, was a massive influence on his style. He saw her nose piercing, loved how it looked, and decided to go for it himself. It became a signature part of his Let Love Rule era.
The Nipple Piercings
Lenny was also one of the first mainstream male sex symbols to openly show off nipple piercings. Throughout the 90s, in photoshoots for Rolling Stone and during his famously shirtless live performances, those silver hoops were as much a part of his outfit as his dreadlocks or his vintage Gibson Flying V.
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Why the Metal Matters to His Style
Lenny Kravitz doesn't do "subtle." You’ve seen the giant scarf. You’ve seen the heels. The piercings are the permanent version of that philosophy.
In the 90s, a man having multiple piercings—especially "private" ones—carried a weight of rebellion that’s hard to imagine now. Today, every SoundCloud rapper has a face tattoo. Back then, Lenny was bridging the gap between the hyper-masculine world of rock and a more fluid, bohemian sensuality.
He basically gave men permission to be "pretty" and "hard" at the same time.
The hardware isn't just for show, either. For Lenny, fashion is a spiritual experience. He’s mentioned in interviews that he views his clothes and his body modifications as an extension of his music. It’s all one big, loud, soulful vibration. When he’s on stage, the metal catches the light, the leather moves with him, and the whole thing creates this "rock god" aura that feels timeless.
The Aftermath of the Rip
After the Stockholm incident, Lenny didn't go into hiding. He didn't fire his stylist. He didn't even stop wearing leather pants (thankfully).
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He posted the Steven Tyler text with the hashtag #penisgate and moved on. That’s the thing about being Lenny Kravitz: when you’ve been the coolest guy in the room since 1989, a little accidental exposure doesn't ruin your reputation. If anything, it solidified it. It proved that he wasn't faking the "rock and roll" lifestyle. He was living it, right down to the jewelry most people will never see.
What You Can Learn From Lenny’s Aesthetic
If you're looking at Lenny Kravitz and thinking about getting pierced yourself, there are a few "pro tips" to take from his decades of experience:
- Symmetry works: Lenny’s dual nostril piercings balance his face perfectly. If you have strong features, symmetrical piercings can actually make them look more "intentional" and less cluttered.
- Quality is king: You’ll notice Lenny almost always wears high-grade silver or gold. Cheaper mystery metals lead to infections and look, well, cheap. If it’s going in your body, spend the money.
- Own the mishap: If you get a piercing and it snags on something (or leads to a viral moment), handle it with grace. The confidence is what makes the look work, not the metal itself.
- Consult a pro: If you want the "Lenny look," don't go to a mall kiosk. Find someone like Elayne Angel—a dedicated professional who understands anatomy and placement.
The fascination with "Lenny Kravitz pierced" isn't just about voyeurism. It’s about a man who has remained authentically himself for over thirty years. Whether he’s wearing a three-foot-wide scarf or nothing at all, he’s draped in a confidence that most people can only dream of.
Next Steps for Your Style Journey
If you're inspired by Lenny’s commitment to his look, start by researching local APP-certified (Association of Professional Piercers) studios in your area to ensure you get high-quality jewelry and safe placement. You can also check out Elayne Angel’s The Piercing Bible for a deeper look into the history and care of the specific piercings Lenny has popularized.