Actress steps out with bandage on her arm, with “Mel” written on it in ink

Jul 30, 2014 06:53 GMT  ·  By
Melanie Griffith erases all traces of marriage to Antonio Banderas by having her tattoo removed
2 photos
   Melanie Griffith erases all traces of marriage to Antonio Banderas by having her tattoo removed

Melanie Griffith was convinced that her romance with Antonio Banderas, who was her husband for 18 years (which is basically an eternity in Hollywood time), would last for ever. Unfortunately, that didn’t turn out to be the case, so when she was left with his name inked on her arm, she had to think what she’d do next.

Sometime during the marriage, considered one of the most solid in showbiz, she got a large heart on her arm, with the name Antonio inside it. In May this year, Melanie and Antonio announced their decision of getting a divorce.

For a while, she continued to make public appearances with the tattoo in full view, but towards the end of June, she began to cover it up: first she covered up only Antonio’s name in foundation, then the whole tattoo, heart and all.

Meanwhile, reports were saying that she had already looked into the possibility of having it erased, but until she found the time to start the sessions, she would continue to make do. One particular rumor even said that she wanted editors from a magazine she’d posed for to remove the ink in Photoshop because she was “embarrassed” by it.

It looks like she won’t be feeling this way for much longer: just recently, Melanie was photographed out and about, looking fit, healthy, and happy and with her tattoo covered by a large bandage. Yahoo! Celebrity believes that this isn’t just a cover-up of the piece, but rather a necessary “accessory” because she’s already started laser therapy.

On the bandage, as you can see in the photo above, Melanie had the word “Mel” written in black ink. The other photo in the gallery below is of the original tattoo, from back in the day when Melanie and Antonio were still one of the most loved-up couples in Hollywood.

However, it seems that Melanie isn’t having the entire tattoo lasered off, which would probably be a lengthy, rather unpleasant, and scarring experience, because, in some photos available online, you can still see the edges of the heart peeking out of the bandage.

So, she’s only removing Antonio’s name from it, which makes sense, seeing how they’re no longer a couple. She will probably add something else in its place, to cover the scarring.

Melanie isn’t the first celebrity to have a bad case of post-divorce tattoo regret, and she will definitely not be the last.

Other notable examples include Angelina Jolie and her Billy Bob Thornton piece, which has now been replaced by coordinates of her children’s birth places, and Eva Longoria and her two Tony Parker tattoos, “Nine” on her neck and the wedding date on her wrist, both of which are gone.

Melanie Griffith's Antonio Tattoo (2 Images)

Melanie Griffith erases all traces of marriage to Antonio Banderas by having her tattoo removed
Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas were married for 18 years, announced split in May
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