Body modification and body art have been accepted and utilized by cultures around the world for thousands of years. Since the early days of civilization, humans have pierced and tattooed their bodies. Considering the age of the practice, the social aversion to any piercing other than women’s ears seems to be a more recent phenomenon. Now, as professional piercer Johnny Pearce explains, “The art of piercing is finally returning to the level of acceptance that it deserves. The stereotypes that have plagued piercing for years are quickly fading.” This exciting trend may spell new growth for piercing and the body modification industry as a whole.
Johnny Pearce is Advancing the Piercing Industry
Originally born Jonathan Lawrence Pearce of North Carolina, Johnny Pearce began his piercing career in 2010. His recognizable piercing style and comprehension for photography eventually gained him notoriety among the international piercing community and became a key foundation for his success. He’s an active member and passionate advocate of the Association of Professional Piercers, a non-profit international health and safety organization dedicated to the dissemination of information about safe body piercing. Johnny Pearce attends and teaches at the APP’s educational conference in Las Vegas each year, where thousands gather to freely share information to help fellow members, piercers, healthcare professionals, legislators, health inspectors, and the general public get the best and most up-to -date information about body piercing.
Pearce’s Passion for Piercing
Pearce has been in love with the concept of adorning the body since he was a child, and it’s easy to see why. It is a fascinating practice with a rich history that stretches all the way back to the early days of human civilization. “It’s a truly beautiful act of creation with different applications across nearly every culture, throughout the entire history of mankind,” Johnny explains. “Even today, it holds meaning in many forms. It can be a rite of passage, a reclamation of your body, a moment of instant gratification, an unbreakable bond of friendship, an unforgettable memory, or that extra boost of confidence when you leave looking and feeling 100%.” Whatever their reason may be, Johnny wants to help make piercing a safe and beautiful experience for his clients.
Pearce also loves the clients and community he works with. In his experience, the piercing community is a very unique, interesting, and accepting group of people. “As in every group as large and diverse as that of piercing enthusiasts, there are outliers, but generally speaking, there is very little judgment and lots of love and support within the community,” he says. Pearce admires the bold and adventurous spirit of many clients he meets. “When we get pierced, it’s a bit like facing the fear of the unknown. And it’s no easy feat, it takes courage. And in exchange for that moment of bravery, you’ll be rewarded with a lifetime of adornment, tailored just for you.”
Reaching the Pinnacle of Success in Piercing
Featured on The Today Show and even as a special guest on Impractical Jokers, his client list includes recognizable names such as Cardi B, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Savannah Guthrie. After settling into a permanent role at Manhattan’s very own Nine Moons Piercing in 2019, he remains a New York City resident, actively piercing in SoHo.
Johnny is humble about the level of success he’s reached. Sir Issac Newton once wrote, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Johnny believes that this sentiment is true of his own career. “I was only able to grow to my skill level by applying the collective knowledge of the great piercers who came before me,” he says. “Those who pioneered, those who developed, those who honored. Without them, body piercing in the western world probably wouldn’t be what it is today. I know I certainly wouldn’t.” Despite Johnny’s modest demeanor, he has earned a reputation as one of the best piercers in the nation, one which he works hard to maintain in his everyday work.
Learn more about Nine Moons Piercing on the official website. Follow Johnny’s work on Instagram (@johnnypearce).
