I just found out that actress Sarah Michelle Geller, who achieved fame for her role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has five tattoos.
1) A Heart on her ankle
2) A Dagger on her ankle
3) A Cherry Blossom on her ankle
4) Matched Dragonflies on her lower back
5) A Celtic symbol of integrity on her hip
I wrote her to ask about them.
Dear Sarah:
My name is Michael Murray and I’m a writer living in Toronto. I’m currently at work on a book about celebrity tattoos. Like everybody, I’m much more interested in the motivating story behind the tattoo than the tattoo itself, and so I’m writing to ask you what the personal prompt was that made you take that step and get the image committed to flesh? Any help you may be able to provide me would be hugely appreciated! You should know that all proceeds from this book are going to be delivered to the charities of the participating celebrities choice, immediately after I’ve purchased a sports car and visited Japan. So far, I have recruited 3 CFL (Canadian Football League) players (all place kickers), Jimmy Carter and Parvati Shallow, winner of Survivor: Micronesia to participate in this book, Tattoos: A Celebrity Journey.
I understand that you have five tattoos: a heart, a dagger, a cheery blossom, a pair of Dragonflies and a Celtic symbol for integrity, could you please explain why you decided to get these?
I am very much looking forward to hearing from you!
Michael Murray
PS: Do you have any idea what Parvati means? It doesn’t sound remotely American to me.
Dear Mr. Murray:
What a strange and interesting project!
I’d be happy to participate and would like my portion of the proceeds to go to PETA. The enclosed attachment, sent by my lawyer, will have all of the legal particulars.
And now on to your questions!
1) I got the heart to commemorate my aunt, who was a huge influence on me, and had just lost her battle with breast cancer.
2) The dagger on my ankle reminds me that I can always look after myself, and will always have a secret weapon with me that nobody else can see.
3) I got the cherry blossoms because I think they’re so pretty, holy even, and because it was the name of my favorite flavor of gum when I was a girl.
4) I got the matched Dragonflies on my lower back because I really like sex from behind. I wanted my partner to see that tattoo and think, “Yeah, that’s me and Sarah, a pair of Dragonflies! We’re in this together!”
5) I do not remember getting the tattoo of “integrity.” I was drinking very heavily during my 20’s and woke up with the tattoo one morning after having passed out at a beach party in Zipolte, Mexico. I think that my producer, after having lost a salary negotiation with me, might be responsible, but I’m still waiting for the true meaning of the tattoo to reveal itself.
Peace,
SMG