January 30, 2026, marked a grand premiere in the streaming world: the debut episode of the video podcast “The Pete Davidson Show” was released on the Netflix platform. The first guest in the studio, located right in the famous comedian’s garage, was his closest friend – musician Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker). During a candid conversation, the 35-year-old MGK and 32-year-old Davidson discussed not only their long-standing “brotherhood,” which began in 2017 on the set of “Wild ‘N Out,” but also deep psychological transformations. The central theme of the discussion was Colson’s radical change in appearance – his monumental blackwork tattoo, completely covering his torso and arms, which the artist himself described as a necessary “torture” for mental rebirth.
The Philosophy of Pain: Why Blackwork Became MGK’s Salvation
To an outside observer, Machine Gun Kelly’s decision to “fill” almost the entire upper part of his body with black pigment might have seemed like an impulsive gesture. However, in his conversation with Pete Davidson, the musician revealed the true background of this step. The process of applying such a massive blackout is not just an aesthetic choice, but an exhausting physical and spiritual experience. MGK directly called this procedure “torture,” emphasizing that it was precisely through this extreme pain that he was able to achieve a state of “rebuilding” his own personality. In the context of modern tattoo culture, this approach is seen as a form of ritual cleansing: when old images and chaotic drawings on the skin are absorbed by a single black space, creating a kind of “clean slate” over lived experience.
Expert Analysis: Blackwork as a Psychological Shield
From the perspective of the professional tattoo community, Colson Baker’s choice reflects a growing trend of “therapeutic blackwork.” Unlike traditional decorative tattoos, dense black fill (blackout) requires incredible endurance from the wearer. It is a test of the limits of one’s own body. For someone who openly talks about bipolar disorder, such a radical image upgrade can serve as a way to establish control over their physical shell. In this case, black is not a symbol of mourning, but armor that cuts off the excess visual noise of the past. It is a manifesto of awareness and readiness for a new stage of life, where old mistakes are literally “buried” under a layer of quality pigment.
Synchronization of Mental Health and the Path to Sobriety
The conversation in Davidson’s garage quickly moved from discussing tattoos to more intimate topics. Both artists admitted that in the past they were convinced they would “die young.” Pete Davidson, who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), PTSD, and bipolar disorder, noted that their friendship became a kind of safety system. MGK, who also lives with bipolar disorder, added that their manic cycles often synchronize in such a way that one is always ready to support the other in moments of crisis. Having gone through rehabilitation centers at different times, the friends have developed a unique support mechanism: they exchange notes from clinics and call each other before making impulsive decisions.
New Roles: Fatherhood as the Main Anchor
Fatherhood became the most important factor in their “redemption.” For the 35-year-old MGK, the stakes rose with the birth of his second child – 10-month-old Sage (the musician also has a 15-year-old daughter, Casie Colson Baker). Pete Davidson also joined the club of young fathers: in December 2025, he and Elsie Hewitt welcomed their daughter, Scottie. The table below presents key facts about the current life stage of the star duo:
| Parameter | Pete Davidson | Machine Gun Kelly |
|---|---|---|
| Age (as of Jan. 2026) | 32 years | 35 years |
| Mental Health | BPD, PTSD, bipolar disorder | Bipolar disorder |
| Children | Daughter Scottie (born Dec. 2025) | Casie (15 years), Sage (10 months) |
| Main Tattoo Project | Removal of old tattoos | Total torso blackwork |
Results of Transformation: From Chaos to Monolith
Concluding the conversation, MGK compared their journey to the metaphor of a phoenix rising from the ashes. If their bodies were previously covered with hundreds of scattered tattoos symbolizing chaotic periods of life, then the current choice in favor of blackwork (for MGK) and the removal of unnecessary drawings (for Davidson) speaks of a desire for conciseness and inner peace. Colson Baker’s blackwork is not just a trend; it is a visual confirmation that a person is ready to bear the weight of their past, transforming it into a monolithic aesthetic form. For the tattoo industry, this case will become a benchmark example of how a large-scale tattoo can serve as a tool for deep psychological rehabilitation and a public declaration of the beginning of a new, “sober” chapter of life.