In the wake of a high-profile breakup that captured the attention of both the country music and young Hollywood spheres, Outer Banks star Chase Stokes is letting his skin do the talking. The actor, who has become a household name for his portrayal of John B. on the hit Netflix series, recently unveiled a poignant addition to his growing collection of body art. The new piece, a delicate script etched across the back of his shoulders, carries a weight that many fans believe reflects his current emotional landscape following his split from Grammy-nominated singer Kelsea Ballerini.
The tattoo, which was first showcased to the public via social media by celebrity tattoo artist Daniel Winter—widely known in the industry as Winter Stone—reads, "They will judge us by our fruit." The phrase is a direct reference to the New Testament, specifically Matthew 7:16. In this biblical passage, Jesus Christ offers a cautionary teaching to his followers, suggesting that a person’s true character is revealed not through their rhetoric or outward promises, but through the tangible results of their actions and the way they live their lives. For Stokes, the choice of this particular verse appears to be a deeply personal statement on integrity, discernment, and the quiet resilience required when one’s private life becomes a matter of public discourse.
The timing of this new ink is particularly notable, coming just weeks after the news of his separation from Ballerini. The couple, who first sparked romance rumors in early 2023, had quickly become a fan-favorite duo, frequently appearing on red carpets and sharing glimpses of their life together on social media. Their relationship was characterized by a shared sense of vulnerability, which Ballerini explored deeply in her recent musical projects. However, as the dust settles on their partnership, Stokes seems to be turning toward a more spiritual and introspective path.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Stokes has used tattoos to mark the milestones of a relationship. During a candid and widely discussed appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast in November 2023, Kelsea Ballerini revealed to host Alex Cooper that she and Stokes had recently gotten matching tattoos. The design was a small, minimalist representation of the Virgo star sign, which both stars share. At the time, Ballerini joked about the permanence of the ink, quipping that they had secured their bond so they "can’t break up." She explained that the decision to honor their shared zodiac sign came from a place of mutual growth. She noted that she had previously struggled with the "control freak" tendencies often associated with Virgos, but that Stokes had helped her embrace those traits as a foundation for better communication, loyalty, and intentional planning.
Now, as that chapter closes, Stokes’ body art continues to serve as what he describes as a "sketchbook of life." For a man who was once paralyzed by a fear of needles and the daunting nature of permanent marks, Stokes has transformed his skin into a narrative of his journey. In an interview with V magazine, he confessed that his initial foray into tattooing was actually an exercise in courage. He sought to conquer his phobia by turning the very thing he feared into a medium for storytelling.
The majority of Stokes’ tattoos are steeped in sentimental value, often paying tribute to the people who shaped him. On his right bicep, he wears the year "1939," the birth year of his grandmother, who played a pivotal role in his upbringing. Adjacent to the date is a dove accompanied by the words "Love, Joan"—a replication of the final signature his grandmother wrote to him on a Christmas card before her passing. These pieces highlight a man who is deeply rooted in his history and family ties. Of course, not every mark is heavy with meaning; Stokes also possesses a playful side, evidenced by a small smiley face on his wrist that he affectionately named "Frank."
Stokes is far from the only celebrity to use tattoos as a form of therapy or a way to immortalize significant life transitions. The entertainment industry is replete with stars who have turned to the needle to process grief, celebrate success, or honor their roots. Jason Momoa, for instance, shocked fans in late 2022 when he shaved a portion of his hair to reveal a massive, intricate head tattoo. The Aquaman star explained that the design had been "20 years in the making," representing a deep connection to his Hawaiian heritage and his "aumakua," or ancestral guardians.
Similarly, JoJo Siwa recently used body art to signal a major shift in her career. As she transitioned from her child-star persona into a more mature musical era with the release of her single "Karma," she unveiled a bicep tattoo featuring a winged teddy bear. The design serves as a nod to the cover art of her Guilty Pleasure album, marking a definitive moment of creative independence.
For some, tattoos are a way to celebrate the community that sustains them. Elle King, the soulful singer and daughter of comedian Rob Schneider, took a unique approach to commemorative ink in early 2024. She debuted a tattoo on her rear that simply read "brethren." The word was a tribute to the men in her life who have helped her navigate the complexities of motherhood. King expressed her gratitude on Instagram, noting that she wouldn’t want to do life without the "baby daddys" and friends who form her son’s support system.
The world of high-concept art and alternative music also sees its share of symbolic ink. Grimes, the experimental musician known for her "ethereal" aesthetic, spent an entire decade emotionally preparing for a large face tattoo. When she finally debuted the delicate design in 2022, it was seen as an extension of her "alien" persona and her commitment to a life lived on the fringes of conventional beauty standards.
In the realm of resilience, few stories are as powerful as that of Travis Barker. The Blink-182 drummer, who famously survived a horrific plane crash in 2008 that left him with severe burns and a long-standing fear of flying, celebrated a major milestone in 2023. After taking his 30th flight since the accident—a feat he credits largely to the support of his wife, Kourtney Kardashian—Barker added the phrase "Time Flies" to his collection. It serves as a haunting yet triumphant reminder of the fragility of life and the speed with which it moves.
Even the world of prestige television has left its mark on its actors—literally. Following the conclusion of the cultural phenomenon Game of Thrones, several cast members sought out permanent mementos of their time in Westeros. Maisie Williams, who grew up on the show playing the fierce Arya Stark, added ink that honored her character’s journey. Her co-star Emilia Clarke, the "Mother of Dragons" herself, famously had three small dragons tattooed on her wrist, ensuring that her onscreen children would stay with her long after the final "cut" was called.
However, as Stokes and Ballerini’s story illustrates, matching tattoos can sometimes become bittersweet reminders of what once was. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, who were once considered one of the industry’s most solid couples, famously got matching Toy Story tattoos during their engagement in 2018. The ink featured the iconic "To infinity and beyond" quote, split between their wrists. Following their divorce in 2023 after four years of marriage, the tattoos remain as a permanent record of a shared chapter that has since come to a close.
As Chase Stokes moves forward, his new scriptural tattoo suggests a focus on the future and a reliance on internal truth over external perception. By choosing to highlight a message about being judged by one’s "fruit," he is perhaps signaling a desire to let his work, his kindness, and his future actions define him, rather than the headlines surrounding his romantic life. In the ever-shifting landscape of Hollywood, where relationships are often fleeting and public opinion is fickle, Stokes is finding a sense of permanence in the words he chooses to wear. His "sketchbook of life" continues to grow, one meaningful line at a time.
