Seth Meyers had never had a tattoo before a Late Night segment with Dua Lipa. They planned a matching dot each; by the end, both had a small star.

His first tattoo came from that one-off on-air moment rather than a plan to build a collection.

Seth Meyers’s matching star tattoo

Meyers’s confirmed tattoo is a small star on his leg. Lipa’s matching star is on her foot, and Keith “Bang Bang” McCurdy did both. Session photos show Meyers seated with his lower leg extended as Bang Bang works near the ankle; Lipa is beside them. They show the process more clearly than the finished star.

The reports identify the design as a star, but the photos don’t establish its exact points, line weight or size. There’s no public evidence of lettering, extra shading or a symbol inside it, so there’s no reason to add those details.

PEOPLE reported that Meyers chose his leg because he wanted the option to forget about the tattoo. Lipa’s was placed on her foot. Meyers wasn’t looking for a prominent statement; he wanted a small reminder of a night he found memorable.

A star is easy to recognize at a small scale and doesn’t rely on tiny lettering. Its size can be adjusted to the body, rather than forcing a fixed graphic into a particular spot.

How the tattoo happened on Late Night

The tattoo came out of a “Day Drinking” follow-up with Dua Lipa on Late Night with Seth Meyers. They had agreed to matching tattoos, but the starting idea was a plain dot. Keeping the design small made sense for Meyers, who had never had a tattoo before.

Lipa suggested changing the dot to a star. Meyers joked that she was trying to talk him into something bigger, though the finished design stayed small. Bang Bang tattooed Lipa first, then Meyers, with the studio audience watching.

This story comes with more context than a typical photo: reports name the artist, explain why Meyers chose his placement and describe how the pair settled on the star.

There’s a separate distinction between the permanent star and the marker tattoos Meyers wore in an earlier segment with Post Malone. PEOPLE reported that Malone drew a Pittsburgh Steelers logo, a Flash logo and a picture of Meyers’s Italian Greyhound, Frisbee, on his face. Those were part of a comedy bit, not permanent tattoos.

A small symbol with a shared meaning

A matching tattoo can share a symbol without placing it in the same spot. Lipa chose her foot; Meyers chose his leg. The star connects the two designs, while each placement suits the person wearing it.

The star can call back to their friendship, the television appearance or the night itself. The people who were there know the full story; everyone else can still read the image without a long explanation.

Names and dates make a memory explicit, but they can tie a tattoo to one moment. A simple symbol leaves more room for the meaning to evolve while keeping the design easy to read.

If you’re planning matching ink, decide what should be shared and what can remain individual. You might use the same symbol in different places or vary the line and color.

Why the leg placement makes sense

A leg piece is easier to cover than a hand, neck or forearm tattoo. Meyers could show it when he wanted, then keep it out of sight. That made it a practical choice for a first tattoo and for someone who wasn’t already covered in ink.

The leg gives a small design a little more room than a finger or the side of a wrist. An artist can size the star so its points stay distinct instead of crowding them together.

A leg tattoo sits between highly visible arm ink and a placement that is usually covered, such as the ribs. It may show with shorts or at the beach, but it doesn’t have to be part of every interview or photograph.

That discretion suits a tattoo tied to one public night.

Seth Meyers’s on-screen style

Most photos of Meyers focus on his desk, monologue, studio or guests. A small tattoo on his leg stays out of those shots and doesn’t compete with his work on screen.

A familiar star shape can read quickly, even in a passing glimpse. Its clear outline is part of why a simple design can work at a small size.

If you like the idea, decide how you want the star to look: a fine outline, a heavier line or a filled shape. View it at the size you’d actually get; details that look clear when enlarged can blur when reduced.

What to ask for if you like the idea

The points also change the feel. A symmetrical star looks crisp, a hand-drawn one feels looser, and five-point, eight-point and sparkle designs each read differently. Bring references, then let the artist draw a stencil for your body.

If you’re getting matching tattoos, talk through what needs to match before choosing the final details. A shared design can still reflect each person’s taste and fit a different placement; the connection matters more than identical copies.

Check the placement with your leg relaxed, bent and standing. Skin shifts as you move, so a design that looks centered while seated may sit differently when you walk. An artist can help find a spot that keeps the shape balanced.

Healing a small piece

Small tattoos still need careful aftercare. Follow the artist’s cleaning and moisturizing instructions, don’t pick at peeling skin, and give the area time to settle before judging the result. Fresh ink can look darker and sharper than healed ink.

Clothing, chairs and exercise can rub a leg tattoo while it heals, so loose, breathable clothes may feel more comfortable. Once it’s healed, sun protection helps limit fading. A simple design has few details to hide softened lines, so basic care matters.

Don’t assume a small tattoo will be quick or painless; placement, skin sensitivity and the artist’s process all affect the appointment. The Late Night segment made the moment playful, but the work still calls for a clear stencil, good hygiene and realistic expectations.

The takeaway from Seth Meyers’s star

Meyers and Lipa’s matching idea began as a dot, became a star and ended up in two different placements. Bang Bang did the tattoos during a very public segment, while Meyers kept his on his leg so he could cover it.

The takeaway isn’t that everyone needs the same star. Meyers’s tattoo fits a shared memory and stays discreet when he wants it to. A small design can carry a specific story without changing someone’s whole look.

Borrow the approach if it suits you: choose a symbol with personal meaning, pick a place you’ll be comfortable wearing it, and let an artist adapt the design to real skin scale.

undefined