By now, we've all heard of the phenomenon that is 13 Reasons Why. The YA novel turned addictive Netflix-series has infiltrated our lives and we're not mad about it — not one bit. Besides the powerful message it sends on the effects of bullying, depression, and self harm, there are a few other reasons why we can't stop thinking about the show. For one, the plot holes. Why does Tony beat up that stranger with his brothers? Why won’t Clay’s head ever heal? Then there's the question of whether a season two will really happen. Lastly, we can't stop asking: Why do so many of the characters have tattoos?
You may have noticed the ink when you first met Tony Padilla, Justin Foley, and Skye Miller. Theirs aren’t typical poke tattoos that one needs a microscope to spot on Instagram these days. The ink displayed is large and in charge. For example, Tony sports a giant wolf on his left shoulder (among many other things), while Skye, the Monet’s barista and ex-BFF of Clay, rocks two neck tattoos. As far as we know, most high school students are not rocking that much ink under the age of 18.
The show is set in Northern California, but the state law requires anyone under the age of 18 to have a parent present for such body modifications — and we highly doubt Tony’s father would have let several massive tattoos be etched onto his son’s body before he even graduated high school.
Naturally, we assumed the obvious: They must just be real tattoos the makeup artists didn't bother to cover. Not quite. According to PopSugar, the costume department added the majority to characters Justin and Skye. So, which cast members have tattoos in real life?
After a lot of Instagram snooping, we dug up plenty of real ink — on characters we never expected would have it. Click ahead to check out every actor from 13 Reasons Why who has a tattoo IRL.
Justin Foley
In the show, the basketball player is one of the first characters to reveal his tats. After tackling his friend Zach Dempsey into a sprinkler before a party, Justin has to take of his shirt because it’s soaked. Enter: his chest tattoo. Not only that, but a barbed wire around his bicep and a few on his arms are also revealed.
Photo: Courtesy Of Netflix.Brandon Flynn
Flynn was just one of the cast members to get a semicolon tattooed on his wrist recently as a pledge of love and hope — a message to overcome suicidal thoughts.
Here, Flynn shows off three more tattoos: a stopwatch on his right arm, one on his inner elbow, and another on his left wrist.
A closer look at Flynn's three arm tattoos.
Ryan Shaver
We assumed this character wouldn’t have any tattoos, since we didn't spot it on the show. If we had to predict what he'd get, though, we'd say a quote from E. E. Cummings or T.S. Elliot. He is a poet, after all.
Photo: Courtesy Of Netflix.Tommy Dorfman
Dorfman was one of the original three cast members to get the semicolon tattoo on his wrist.
The actor also rocks three bars on his left arm.
Dorfman also has a triangle on his left shoulder.
Jessica Davis
The ex-best friend of main character Hannah Baker didn’t show off any ink — despite her boyfriend (Foley) having several.
Photo: Courtesy Of Netflix.Alisha Boe
We can't find any other ink besides the semicolon on the actress.
Sheri Holland
The cheerleader who was hiding an incriminating secret wasn’t seen with one tattoo in the entire series, but you might be surprised…
Photo: Courtesy Of Netflix.Ajiona Alexus
While Holland is tattoo-free, Alexus has a music note behind her left ear.
Skye Miller
We thought Tony had an abnormal amount of tattoos for someone who still uses a locker, but then we met Skye. Clay’s ex-best friend is seen with neck tattoos, and nearly two full sleeves on both arms. We get it, she’s meant to be the stereotypical moody, lone wolf, but isn't it overkill?
Photo: Courtesy Of Netflix.Sosie Bacon
The daughter of Kevin Bacon, Sosie plays Skye. In real life, she rocks a tree blowing in the wind on her right shoulder.
Bacon also showed off a newer addition last year: A wave in motion, created by celebrity tattoo artist Dr. Woo.
Tony Padilla
The show's voice of reason loves anything retro — and tattoo parlours. He is seen with a wolf on his left shoulder, two variations of a cross on each forearm, a bird and vine of flowers on his right shoulder, and a trail of stars behind his ear.
Photo: Courtesy Of Netflix.Christian Lee Navarro
Tony had more tattoos than we could count (and more than we could see), and Navarro is no stranger to getting inked, either. In real life, the actor has six tats. One that was actually kept in the show is this orchid drawing with a bird perched on top.
Another real one is found on his left forearm. His caption reads, "#alwaysstruggleforinnerpeace #Intrukrishna."
Back in 2015, Navarro posted this photo to Instagram debuting his "warrior" tattoo. His explanation: "Staying true to yourself and to the mission is the #warrior way."
This photo shows off the tattoo on his right wrist: an x variable over an infinity sign.
On his lower right abdomen, there's some indiscernible ink.
Navarro also has a Leo sign on his left upper chest.
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