Yes. Actors can have piercings. You may also land a role for having a piercing; however your casting potential will be reduced.

You are probably scared that you have to get rid of your favourite piercing that reminds you of sweet sixteen. However, before you make any rash decision, take some time to go through our article that answers whether or not actors can have piercings.

Headshots and Piercings

I am sure that you already know that you need a few headshots once you enter the acting scene. These can be used to market and identify you, helping you qualify for several roles. Since our article is in relation to piercings, we will not delve into the intricacies of a perfect headshot. Can you have piercings on your headshots? This is an important question that people keep on evading. Your headshots are meant to reveal who you are. You can leave your piercings on if you are used to wearing or having built a life around them. However, you can also choose to remove them since it does not take as much time.

There are a few other things that you need to know about piercings. We will look at some of the considerations that you need to consider before you decide to get one as an actor. Have a look!

  • Piercings may limit your roles
    Most movie directors and producers drop actors with piercing or body modifications. Even though we live in a free world, society remains biased, and specific roles do not sit well with bodily piercings. You should, therefore, do your research well and establish some of the prevalent roles in the market and whether having a body piercing might limit you from landing them. You do not want to be disqualified for a position just because of a piercing you could have avoided.
  • Can it be easily hidden or removed
    This is an important consideration that you must make before going for a body piercing. You will look good with a piercing, but will it act as an inconvenience to a specific role. To be on the safer side, get a piercing that can be easily removed or hidden. A piercing that is too visible or cannot be hidden will limit you from several roles. You will not land a church role with a big visible nose piercing or a hanging navel piercing that cannot be easily concealed.
  • Getting a piercing can lock you out of your niche
    I am hoping you have identified some of the roles that you love playing. Please have in mind that getting a facial piercing may limit you from playing some of them. Getting a tongue or nose piercing if you love acting as a school teacher will be career suicide, the same way you won’t and a priest role with pierced ears. You should, therefore, first consider your niche before getting a particular body piercing, so that you do not get locked out of your favourite acting roles.
  • How is your brand like?
    You have to consider how the piercing will affect you. If you have built a successful brand that keeps producers reaching out for your services, then getting a piercing might not harm you. Studios and producers will always find a way to hide the modifications or hitch you up with the roles you qualify for.

On the other hand, getting a body piercing when you are just starting on your career might harm you negatively. Most studios and directors will mostly prefer people who are naturally suited for roles and need no cover-up. You can also get a piercing if you are sure that it will not affect your brand negatively. Shifting from the good saint roles to the bad boy roles may not be as easy as people think. Remember, a surprise may be an essential element to sell a movie, but it also backfires at times.

Now that you have seen some of the considerations that you need to make before getting a body piercing, let us look at some of the advantages that they give actors:

  • You’ll be directly qualified for specific roles
    Certain characters, such as the bad boy roles, require distinct people. Your eye or chin piercing will, therefore, elevate you for such roles. You will also be the first person that producers think of when they need a person to act a role that fits your description. Therefore, body piercings eliminate the competition when it comes to specific roles.
  • Identity
    People usually look for distinct features when describing others. Having a distinct piercing on your lip or the eyelid gives you an identity that is important to an actor. Creating your own identity sells you far and wide. Most actors prefer not to look different out of fear of missing out on roles. Having a piercing is, therefore, a bold move that can work to your favour. Some of the characters that you will instantly qualify for include a ritualist leader, fugitive or prosthetic doctor. Keep in mind that such roles also pay more.
  • You will not need to try hard before you are noticed in the acting scene. Your body piercings, especially if they are distinct, will always sell you. You can easily land roles instead of auditioning for roles that you will not land in the end.

Body piercings also have several disadvantages. Even though you will land distinct roles, they narrow down the roles you can qualify for. you will also encounter problems when starting out since most studios and movie directors shy away from distinct piercings.

Lastly, you will be significantly inconvenienced if the role you have landed requires that you conceal your piercings. Imagine spending all that time hiding a piece of art that you love or have taken time crafting on your body.

Actors Takeaway:
can actors have piercings

There is no ban on piercings in the acting scene. You can choose to have piercings or not, but you must be aware of the repercussions that come with it. Therefore, make sure that you consider all the considerations, advantages and disadvantages that come with having a piercing.

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