If you were anywhere near the internet in 2014, you didn't just see the Luke Hemmings lip ring—you experienced it. It was a cultural reset for a specific corner of the pop-punk fandom. Honestly, it’s wild how a tiny piece of silver hardware could define an entire career stage for the 5 Seconds of Summer frontman.
People still go feral over it.
Even now, years after he retired the look, "Lip Ring Luke" remains a frequent search term and a pillar of 5SOS nostalgia. It wasn't just about the jewelry. It was about the transition from the "fetus" era of YouTube covers to the global superstars who were suddenly touring with One Direction and selling out arenas.
The Birth of an Icon: When Did Luke Get Pierced?
Luke Hemmings first started rocking the lip ring around late 2013, just as the band was gaining massive momentum. Most fans remember it becoming his signature look throughout the Self-Titled and Sounds Good Feels Good album cycles. It sat on the left side of his lower lip. Basically, it gave him that "rebellious but sweet" edge that drove the Tumblr era absolutely insane.
It's funny looking back. He was this tall, lanky kid from Australia—often called "the tall breadstick" by fans—who suddenly had this edgy accessory. It grounded his look. It made him look less like a choir boy and more like the rockstar he was becoming.
Was the Luke Hemmings Lip Ring Even Real?
This is a question that pops up a lot. Yes, it was 100% real. It wasn't a clip-on or a "for the music video" prop. There are plenty of candid photos and videos where you can see the actual piercing hole.
However, as any fan who spent hours scrolling Instagram in 2015 knows, he didn't always wear a ring. Sometimes he’d swap it out for a small silver stud. The ring was the fan favorite, though. It had this way of catching the light when he sang "Amnesia" or "She Looks So Perfect," and honestly, the fandom has never quite recovered.
The Struggles of a Pierced Rockstar
Being a lead singer with a fresh lip piercing isn't all glam. If you look closely at some old 2014-era photos, you can tell the piercing gave him some trouble.
- Healing issues: Some fans noticed it looked a bit irritated or "embedded" in certain photos.
- Microphone mishaps: Imagine hitting your lip ring against a heavy metal Shure SM58 microphone while jumping around on stage. Ouch.
- Maintenance: Luke once mentioned in an old interview that he had to be careful with it, though he mostly just let it be.
Why Did He Take It Out?
By 2016, the lip ring started making fewer appearances. As the band moved toward the Youngblood era, their style shifted. They went from skinny jeans and flannels to high-fashion leather, Saint Laurent, and a more "LA rock" aesthetic. The lip ring just didn't fit the vibe anymore.
There’s also the practical side. Lip piercings are notorious for causing dental issues, like receding gums or chipped teeth. While Luke hasn't explicitly blamed his dentist for the removal, many fans speculate that after years of wearing it, he just grew out of it.
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He’s a different person now. He’s married to Sierra Deaton. He has a solo career with albums like When Facing Things We Turn Away From and Boy. His style is more ethereal, filled with glitter, tailored suits, and 70s-inspired silhouettes. A chunky 2014 lip ring might look a little "costumey" on the 2026 version of Luke.
The Cultural Impact: "Lip Ring Luke" as a Subgenre
It’s hard to overstate how much this look influenced the "5SOS Fam." If you go to a 5SOS concert today, you’ll still see fans wearing fake lip rings as a tribute. It’s a shorthand for a specific time in their lives—a time of 1D Day, Keek videos, and the "Hemmo1996" YouTube channel.
"Lip Ring Luke is no longer with us, but forever in our hearts," as the popular fandom saying goes.
It represents the peak of the pop-punk revival of the mid-2010s. It was the era when 5SOS proved they weren't just another boy band; they were a group of guys who grew up on Good Charlotte and Green Day.
How to Channel the Era Today
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to recreate that 2014 energy, you don't necessarily need to go get a needle through your lip.
- Faux Rings: You can get high-quality clip-on lip rings that look identical to Luke’s silver hoop.
- The Style: Pair it with a sleeveless band tee, super skinny black jeans, and some beat-up Vans.
- The Hair: Luke's hair back then was all about the "quiff"—lots of volume and probably way too much hairspray.
The Luke Hemmings lip ring might be retired, but it’s cemented in the hall of fame of celebrity accessories. It was a small detail that helped define a generation of music fans.
If you want to keep up with Luke's current evolution, the best thing you can do is dive into his solo discography. His sound has matured significantly, trading the pop-punk angst for lush, psychedelic textures. It's a long way from the "tall breadstick" with a piercing, but it's a journey that's been incredible to watch. Check out his latest music videos to see how his style has shifted from silver hardware to high-fashion elegance.