Ariana Grande has a lot of tattoos. Like, a lot. By the time 2026 rolled around, the "eternal sunshine" singer had easily surpassed the 50-mark, turning her skin into a living, breathing scrapbook of her life's highest highs and most public lows. But if you're looking for the ink that really carries the weight of her journey, you have to look at the side of her torso. Specifically, the rib cage ariana grande tattoo collection—because it isn't just one piece. It’s a literal timeline of her evolution from a Nickelodeon star to a woman who has survived some of the most intense scrutiny of the decade.
Most people see a celebrity tattoo and think it’s just for the "aesthetic." With Ari, that’s never the case. Her rib cage is home to some of her most intimate pieces, including the famous "Bellissima" and the ever-evolving "Always" vine.
Bellissima: The Heartbeat of the Collection
The very first piece of the rib cage ariana grande tattoo story started back in 2014. It’s a tiny, cursive word on her left side: Bellissima.
Honestly, it’s one of her most heartbreakingly sweet tattoos. It isn't a reference to a song or a brand. It’s a tribute to her grandfather, Frank Grande. He used to call her "Bellissima," which means "really beautiful" in Italian. She got it during a time when she was just starting to blow up globally, a small reminder of her roots and the man who supported her before the world knew her name.
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It’s small. It’s discreet. But for fans who have followed her since the Yours Truly era, it’s basically the "OG" rib tattoo. It set the tone for everything that came after—ink that feels like a secret shared between her and the people she loves most.
The "Always" Evolution and the Pete Davidson Era
Then things got complicated.
In 2018, during the height of her whirlwind romance with Pete Davidson, Ariana added the word "Always" to her rib cage. It was widely reported to be in Pete’s handwriting. He actually had a matching one on his back. At the time, it felt like a permanent seal on a forever kind of love.
But as we all know, "forever" ended a few months later.
Most celebrities go straight for the laser removal when a high-profile relationship ends. Not Ari. Instead of erasing the past, she chose to "evolve" it. In March 2019, right before she kicked off the Sweetener World Tour, she hit up her go-to artist, Mira Mariah (better known as @girlknewyork).
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The result? A delicate, sprawling branch of leaves that wraps around and through the word "Always."
"Not a cover up, just evolvin," she told fans on Instagram at the time.
It was a total vibe shift. She didn't hide the word; she nested it inside something growing. It turned a symbol of a specific person into a symbol of her own resilience. It’s probably the most famous example of the rib cage ariana grande tattoo because it showed the world how she handles trauma—not by deleting it, but by growing over it.
Why the Rib Cage?
You’ve gotta be tough to get inked there. Seriously. Ask anyone with a rib tattoo—it’s one of the most painful spots because the skin is so thin and sits right over the bone.
Ariana choosing this spot for her most personal tributes—her grandfather, her growth, her "Wicked" journey—says a lot. It’s a place that’s usually hidden by clothes, reserved for her or for when she’s on stage in specific silhouettes. It’s a "for me" spot, not a "for them" spot.
The Technical Side of Ari’s Ink
If you're thinking of mimicking the rib cage ariana grande tattoo style, you should know she almost exclusively sticks to "Fine Line" work.
- Artist: Mostly Mira Mariah (@girlknewyork).
- Style: Very thin needles, light shading, and a "sketched" look.
- Color: Almost always black or grey wash. She rarely goes for full color.
This style is beautiful, but it's tricky. Fine line tattoos on the ribs can blur or "blow out" if the artist isn't careful, or they can fade faster than traditional American traditional tattoos. Ariana’s "Always" vine is a masterclass in how to use negative space to make a design look airy even though it covers a decent amount of skin.
The Glinda Influence and Beyond
As she moved into her Wicked era, her tattoos changed again. We started seeing more ethereal, whimsical designs. While the butterfly on her arm gets a lot of the spotlight, the leafy, floral motifs on her rib cage have continued to grow.
Some fans speculate that recent additions to her side-body collection are nods to her time in London filming Wicked. She spent years there, and the transformation she went through—personally and professionally—is reflected in the way she keeps adding to that specific "vine" on her ribs. It’s like a garden that never stops growing.
Misconceptions About Her Rib Tattoos
Let's clear some stuff up because the internet loves a rumor.
- No, she didn't "delete" the Pete tattoo. As mentioned, "Always" is still there. It's just part of a bigger picture now.
- They aren't all "matching" tattoos. While she has a lot of shared ink with friends (like the "H2GKMO" on her hand), the rib pieces are largely solo ventures.
- The pain factor. People often ask if she used numbing cream. While she hasn't explicitly confirmed it for the ribs, she did famously mention the "7 Rings" palm tattoo was so painful she couldn't finish the original design correctly (leading to the whole "charcoal grill" debacle). The ribs are likely just as brutal.
What You Can Learn From Her Ink
If you're looking at the rib cage ariana grande tattoo as inspiration for your own, there are some actual, practical takeaways here.
First, think about longevity. Fine line work looks amazing when it's fresh, but on the ribs—where your skin moves every time you breathe—you need a top-tier artist who knows how to depth-control.
Second, consider the "Evolution" approach. If you’re worried about getting something you might regret, look at how Ari handles it. She views her body like a canvas that isn't finished. A tattoo doesn't have to be a static image; it can be the first draft of something that turns into a masterpiece five years later.
If you’re planning on getting your own "Ari-inspired" rib piece, start small. Maybe a single word in a fine-line script or a tiny sprout of leaves. You can always add the rest of the garden later.
Pro Tip: If you're going for the rib cage, wear a loose button-down shirt or a zip-up hoodie to your appointment. You’ll need to leave that side exposed, and you definitely don't want a tight bra rubbing against fresh ink for the first 48 hours. Trust me on that one.
Check out Mira Mariah’s portfolio if you want to see the exact needle-work style Ariana favors. It’ll give you a better idea of how those delicate lines are actually achieved without turning into a blurry mess over time.