Johnny Depp got a broken arrow tattooed that symbolizes new hope, on his wrist when Norwegian tattoo artists were allowed to get close to the superstar at the Grand Hotel.
Less than 20 minutes ago
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For six hours, Aleksander (24), Jonathan (34) and Tomas (24) from Attitude Tattoo Studio in Oslo had an exclusive experience with the world star who has been on everyone’s lips in recent weeks.
It’s not just any tattoo the Norwegian tattoo artists have made. The broken arrow, which symbolizes new hope, is placed in a very exposed place on the body of the controversial artist and actor: On the underside of the wrist, visible on many future concert photos, selfies with fans, press photos and paparazzi photos.
– The artists who did it were super happy to have the opportunity to tattoo a fucking legend, says Aleksander Stubberud Aas, who is a handyman in the shop.
WATCH VIDEO: Here he gets the tattoo
– I could see a little Jack Sparrow in him. Some attitudes, a few sounds, and his motor skills were quite similar often. But he was very down to earth …
Aas stops himself before continuing.
– It’s a little weird to say down to earth type about Johnny Depp somehow. It’s very buzzing, he says and laughs to himself.
– But you sit there and talk, you do not think so much that it’s fucking Johnny Depp. He was a very laid back type, there was no stress and everything worked out, he says.
–Cryptic phone
Just after 2 pm on Wednesday last week, a cryptic phone call arrived from the Grand Hotel Attitude Tattoo Studio, which is Norway’s largest tattoo studio. A person who stayed at the hotel would like to get a tattoo.
– We got a little “pækkern”, says Aas about the first minutes.
Their thoughts quickly went to two names: Johnny Depp or 50 Cent, who was also in town these days.
– We get some such phones from time to time. It has happened before, and we have had some other superstars in the studio, adds owner and general manager Marius Kristiansen.
When it turned out to be Depp, it was just a matter of getting around and getting down to the hotel, one of the most exclusive in Norway.
–Changed socks on Karl Johan
All necessary equipment was packed together in a hurry.
They threw a mini-printer, telephones, ipad and tattoo equipment with them and moved down towards the Grand Hotel from the studio in Pilestredet, a ten minute walk away.
But first, the young boys had to make sure to do one last thing so as not to risk making a bad impression on the superstar: In case their feet smelled sour, they made a spontaneous decision.
– We managed to buy some socks as well. We stood in the middle of Karl Johan and changed socks before we went to Grand, me and Tomas. We had a complete over-ignition, laughs Aleksander.
When they arrived in the luxury suite in a private elevator just before 3 pm, about 45 minutes after the first phone call, they were well received by the superstar and his management.
– It was a good atmosphere. They sat on the balcony, played music and relaxed. We were taken out there and greeted them, says Aas.
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Trial
At the beginning of June, Depp won one of the most talked about celebrity lawsuits In recent years. Ex-wife Amber Heard was sentenced to pay Depp close to NOK 100 million in compensation for defamatory allegations.
Last week the country Depp in Norway to play concerts with Jeff Beck, recognized as one of the world’s best guitarists. But the concerts in Oslo and Kristiansund was postponed as a result of corona disease in the band.
This weekend Jeff Beck is back in Norway to play concerts in Oslo and in Bergen.
According to the tattoo artists, the trial was not a topic at all during the six hours. On the other hand, they talked about a lot of other things.
Asked if Depp wanted to tattoo him
– It is a completely unrealistic lifestyle, completely silly, says Aas.
Loud music, cigar smoke, champagne and cocktails. The atmosphere in the suite was worthy of a real rock star, according to Alexander.
When they first came in, there were five or six people there: Two security guards, a manager, another person in the crew – and Depp himself. Jeff Beck, with whom Depp is touring and releasing a record, also stopped by for a little tour before they started tattooing.
Eventually it became clear that the whole gang wanted matching tattoos, and they had to bring in an extra tattoo artist.
– The broken arrow symbolizes burying the battle ax, a new start, and it is a new hope, says Aas.
In addition, they filled in ink on some of Depp’s older tattoos.
– But when I asked if he wanted to tattoo me, he said no, laughs Aas.
–Told about being frozen out
Tattoo artist Tomas sat with Depp almost all the way while the 59-year-old told stories about art, music, film and much more.
– It was all possible. He told about his guitars, why he started with music. He told about how it felt to be frozen out of Hollywood for six years and all that, but now it was “back to business” again. It was really boy talk, all sorts of strange things imaginable, says Aas.
It took a while before he dared to ask to take pictures with Depp, but Depp did not mind asking when they first asked. But the resolute security guard, about whom Aas had heard stories, had not been notified.
– I just started filming without telling the security guard first. Then suddenly I noticed that he came towards me from behind quickly. Depp just had to, no, no, it’s going well, they have been allowed by me, says Aas.
He thus escaped cheaply a meeting with the security guard that could have been rude.
–Sick hotel room
While the tattoo artists focused on their job and tattooed Depp and the others, Aleksander had the task of keeping the conversations going, the atmosphere good and dealing with the practicalities.
– It was a huge suite, so we had to hunt for people a bit. It became my job to pull a little on the strings and organize, says Aas.
– I’ve never been to a sicker hotel room in my life. It was at the very top of Oslo with a view of Spikersuppa, he says.
Were they hungry or thirsty, it was fixed. Room service came and went with champagne and other refreshments. On the move, the tattoo artist forgot latex gloves, but it was fixed in ten minutes. When Aleksander was going for a quick trip back to the studio in Pilestredet, he was strictly told to take a taxi when he himself suggested taking an electric scooter.
– The things that are life-threatening said Depp, according to Aas.
Broad musical taste
The music went more or less constantly for six hours at “pig-high volume, full guffe sort of”, according to Aas, while Depp embroidered on the lyrics and gestured to the notes.
According to Aleksander, it wasn’t just rock that went on: Pop, hip hop, folk music and much more also thundered out of the speaker.
– There was steady and constant something with the music, either that it was low or that it was the wrong song, says Aas.
–As part of the agreement, they had to keep quiet and not talk about the meeting or post on social media. When they now go out with the story and photos, it has been clarified with Depp’s team.
Got a hug and a kiss on the cheek
When they finished the tattoos at 9pm, Depp asked if they would stay and get some gin tonics. But when Depp left the room, the manager came and politely announced that he did not really have time and was going to have dinner with Jeff Beck.
– We said there was zero stress, even though it was a bit awkward. It would have been cool to stay another hour and take a GT with Johnny.
– Then he came back, gave us a hate hug, kissed on the cheek and said he was super happy, says Aas.
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