Jackson White Shares the Story Behind Getting Tattooed by Girlfriend Grace Van Patten Early on
Jackson White and Grace Van Patten.
Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty for SiriusXM; The Drew Barrymore Show/YouTube
Jackson White Reveals Unique Gesture for Grace Van Patten
Jackson White, a lead actor in the Hulu series Tell Me Lies, recently shared a surprising act he undertook to impress his girlfriend, Grace Van Patten. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, White recalled his courtship phase when he let Van Patten "tattoo" him all over his body.
In an Instagram clip from the show, White described the moment, saying, “You know what it’s like in the courtship phase? I let her tattoo me, like, all over my body.” The audience gasped in response to his revelation. Host Drew Barrymore, intrigued, questioned him whether this was done with a sharpie or via stick and poke. White confirmed it was the latter.
He proceeded to showcase some of the tattoos during the interview. “Like [she did] all these hand tattoos,” he said while displaying the ink on his fingers, where an "x" adorned his middle finger and an "o" his ring finger. The visible tattoos prompted Barrymore to express her admiration.
White continued to explain Van Patten’s artistic flair, mentioning lightning bolts tattooed behind his ear and added, “I love tattoos, but I was also like, ‘Yeah, do whatever you want. Here’s my body. Go do it. I’m your canvas.’”
The discussion elicited laughter from the audience, with Barrymore playfully commenting, “On behalf of all women right now, swoon.”
Responses on social media mirrors the audience’s sentiments, with some viewers praising the couple’s creativity and affection, while others questioned the commitment level involved. One user remarked, “That is really sweet of him!” while another found the act “crazy,” suggesting a mix between admiration and disbelief.
White and Van Patten first met while filming Tell Me Lies in 2022 and confirmed their relationship in November of the same year when they were seen together in public.
Jackson White showing off the tattoos Van Patten gave him on The Drew Barrymore Show.
The Drew Barrymore Show/YouTube
As the couple continues their journey, upcoming seasons of Tell Me Lies promise to deliver a blend of their on-screen drama and real-life affection as they navigate their respective roles both as actors and partners.
Grace Van Patten and Jackson White attend the Tell Me Lies Season 3 Screening on Jan. 12, 2026.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
In a recent interview, Van Patten reflected on the complexities of working with White, describing it as "trippy" yet rewarding. “It makes me feel so safe and so comfortable and able to go there and be vulnerable, because I’m so comfortable with him,” she shared, highlighting not only their professional collaboration but also the depth of their relationship.
