The American tattoo artist Mark Mahoney (b. 1957) is probably one of the most popular contact points for many celebrities who want to get new works of art. His clientele includes stars from sports to music, including singer Lady Gaga (37) and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal (51). In an interview with “Welt am Sonntag”, Mahoney reveals that film star Angelina Jolie (47) is one of his “absolute favorites”.
The artist even knew her as a child. “Angelina is so smart and her ideas are always so original,” enthuses Mahoney. Jolie is “just a wonderful person and a good mother”. In addition, it was “something very special to be able to call her a friend”. He also enjoys the privilege of having tattooed some of their children.
It is similar with ex-soccer player David Beckham (47) and his son Brooklyn (24), both of whom are also customers. The Beckham kid got his first tattoo of Mahoney in 2017 at the age of 18.
Lady Gaga is also “fantastic” and feels comfortable “among normal people,” says the tattoo artist. “It’s just like that, little Gaga, she sits and chats with the tough girls from East L.A.”
The stars are usually not particularly self-pitying, but it was “funny” with a celebrity. Shaquille O’Neal, a mountain of a man, told Mahoney “that tattoo hurt him […] When I tattooed him, I kept hearing oohs and ahs.” The former basketball player is said to be 2.16 meters tall, “but he feels the same pain as all of us,” says Mahoney.
