The Bachelor has changed a lot since Season 1 aired in 2002, but there's one very important change you may not have noticed: These days the Bachelor is much more likely to have tattoos than they were in those early seasons. Chalk it up to a greater acceptance of ink in everyday life (no, mom, my arrow tattoo on my wrist won't get me fired), or the increase in shirtless scenes on the show. (I can't find any pics of Season 1's Bachelor without his shirt on, so maybe he does have a tattoo, but I don't know where.) Ben Higgins isn't the only Bachelor with tattoos. But, only a grand total of four out of 19 Bachelors have ink, (That I could spot. I mean, it wouldn't surprise me if someone had a secret butt tattoo.) And, two of those four men are from seasons 18-20.
Getting a tattoo is not only not as big of a deal now as it used to be, but it's also a way more common way for people to express who they are. Ben and Brad Womack both have religious tattoos, and they are very spiritual Bachelors. Meanwhile, Juan Pablo Galavis used his only ink to honor his daughter with a tattoo of her name. With each symbol carrying a lot of meaning behind it, you probably want to know what these tats look like, right? Well, here you go:
Bob Guiney
The Season 4 Bachelor seems to be the earliest Bachelor with ink. He sports a design on his forearm and when asked about its meaning revealed, "It's an old English 'G' and is something that reminds me of my grandma."
Brad Womack
The repeat Bachelor has a cross tattoo on his back. Maybe he should date Britt Nilsson who has a similar tattoo... although she's lasering hers off.
Juan Pablo Galavis
The Season 18 Bachelor got his daughter Camila's name tattooed on his wrist. Aww.
Ben Higgins
Our current Bachelor has a bible verse tattooed on his side. According to OKHereIsTheSituation, it's from Proverbs 16:3 and says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Do more than these four Bachelors have ink? It's quite possible, but I'll let you speculate the location and content for yourself.
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Image: Rick Rowell/ABC; ABC
