Hey, pop culture fans! It’s Gourav Singh from DramaWire.Studio, diving into the Celebrity News category to answer the burning question: Did Cindy Crawford’s son, Presley Gerber, remove his face tattoo? As a dad who’s seen trends come and go, I’m intrigued by Presley’s journey from inking “Misunderstood” on his cheek to sparking rumors of its removal. The 2020 tattoo stirred controversy, and now, 2025 chatter suggests it’s gone. Using sources like Daily Mail, People, and X posts, I’ll unpack the evidence, Presley’s mindset, and what this means for his future. Check out my full take at DramaWire.Studio for more celebrity scoops. Let’s dig in!
The Tattoo That Shocked Fans
In February 2020, Presley Gerber, then 20, son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and tequila mogul Rande Gerber, debuted a face tattoo reading “MISUNDERSTOOD” in all caps under his right eye, done by celebrity artist Jonathan “JonBoy” Valena, per Today (Feb 9, 2020). The ink, unveiled on Instagram with a video of the process, sparked instant backlash. Fans commented, “You’ll regret that decision VERY soon,” and “Why would you do that to your face?” (Today, Feb 11, 2020). JonBoy captioned his post, “Sorry mom,” hinting at Cindy’s potential disapproval.
Presley, a model with campaigns for Celine and Superdry, defended the tattoo on Instagram Live, saying, “I don’t feel very understood, I guess,” and “If I thought this was going to ruin my face, I wouldn’t have done it” (E! News, Feb 20, 2020). He lashed out at critics, offering his address for face-to-face confrontations, per Daily Mail (Feb 13, 2020). The tattoo followed a troubled period, including a 2019 DUI arrest, for which he remains on probation through 2022 (Daily Mail, Aug 11, 2021).
Family Concerns and Mental Health
Cindy and Rande were reportedly “definitely concerned” about Presley’s well-being, per E! News (Feb 20, 2020). Sources said they’d been seeking help for him since his DUI, with tensions escalating after the tattoo and a video of him shooting at a firing range captioned, “Innocent little me before all the horrid tattoos”. An insider noted, “He has just fallen off the beaten path,” and the family pushed for serious treatment (InStyle, Feb 21, 2020). By September 2020, Us Weekly reported Presley was “doing better” after lockdown allowed family time, suggesting the tattoo was part of a rebellious phase (SheKnows, Sep 4, 2020).
Presley’s mental health struggles were public. In a 2023 Studio 22 Podcast interview, he discussed depression and the tattoo’s context, saying, “I got a face tattoo, then I got it removed. That was really the last big, visible tattoo that I got” (Daily Mail, Mar 1, 2023). The “Misunderstood” ink reflected his lifelong feelings of being misjudged, per his 2020 Instagram Live (Business Insider, Feb 9, 2020).
Evidence of Removal
By August 2021, photos of Presley at Malibu Country Mart with girlfriend Sydney Brooke showed no trace of the “Misunderstood” tattoo, fueling speculation it was removed, per People (Aug 11, 2021). Daily Mail (Aug 11, 2021) noted he appeared “fresh faced,” though neck tattoos remained. Radar Online (Aug 11, 2021) confirmed the tattoo was “fully gone without a trace,” estimating laser removal costs at $200-$500 per session, likely requiring multiple treatments for the small, black ink. People (Aug 12, 2021) cited dermatologist Dr. Colbert, explaining that Presley’s fair skin likely aided a clean removal, with up to five laser sessions needed.
Presley’s Instagram posts earlier in 2021 showed the tattoo fading, suggesting ongoing removal, per People. While some speculated he used concealer (e.g., Hide Cosmetics), the consistent absence of the ink by mid-2021 points to laser removal (People, Aug 12, 2021). A rep for Presley didn’t confirm the procedure, but his 2023 podcast admission—“I got it removed”—seals the deal. X users like @CelebGossipFan celebrated, saying, “Smart move, Presley! That face tat was a bold choice, but clean slate looks good” (@CelebGossipFan, Aug 2021).
Was It Ever Fake?
Some wondered if the tattoo was temporary, especially after Presley used a filter to fake a Los Angeles Dodgers logo tattoo on his temple in March 2020, which he quickly clarified wasn’t real (Perez Hilton, Aug 12, 2021). However, the “Misunderstood” tattoo’s prominence over a year and the fading process seen in photos suggest it was genuine, per E! News (Aug 11, 2021). Presley never claimed it was fake, unlike the Dodgers stunt, and laser removal aligns with his 2023 comments.
Why Remove It?
Presley’s decision likely tied to personal growth and career. At 23, he told Studio 22 he stopped getting tattoos by 20-21, running “out of space” and focusing on mental health (Daily Mail, Mar 1, 2023). The face tattoo, a bold statement at 20, may have clashed with his modeling gigs for brands like Celine, where a clean look is prized. Radar Online (Aug 11, 2021) suggested Cindy and Rande, with their wealth, supported the costly removal, reflecting their relief. X’s @FashionInsider noted, “Presley’s back to booking big campaigns—face tat gone was the right call” (@FashionInsider, Sep 2021).
What’s Next for Presley?
Now 25 in 2025, Presley lives in his parents’ Malibu guesthouse and works at Rande’s Café Habana, per Daily Mail (Aug 11, 2021). His modeling career continues, and he’s embraced art, expressing interest in tattooing (Daily Mail, Mar 1, 2023). The removal marks a shift from his rebellious phase, with Us Weekly (Sep 2020) noting family support helped him “get his act together”. X user @PopCultureVibe said, “Presley’s turning the page—love the redemption arc!” (@PopCultureVibe, Mar 2023).
Final Thoughts
Yes, Presley Gerber removed his “Misunderstood” face tattoo, likely via laser treatments by 2021, as confirmed by photos, his 2023 podcast, and sources like People and Radar Online. The tattoo, a cry of feeling misunderstood, was a bold but fleeting chapter. For more on celebrity transformations, visit DramaWire.Studio—my hub for juicy scoops! Follow us on Instagram or YouTube. What do you think of Presley’s fresh start? Drop your thoughts below.
