[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Ink Master Season 15 Finale]
With unpredictable twists at each flip and next-level challenges, Season 15 of Ink Master examined its artists like maybe by no means earlier than. The finale on Paramount+ got here right down to Freddie Albrighton, Bobby Johnson, and Jon Mesa.
They have been tasked with creating three consecutive leg tattoos over 12-hour periods. One final wrench was thrown by host/choose Joel Madden. The three wouldn’t solely must earn the votes of himself, DJ Tambe, Ryan Ashley, and Nikko Hurtado. They additionally needed to impress a jury panel of Ink Master winners: Anthony Michaels (Season 7), Joey Hamilton (Season 3), Josh Payne (Season 10), Bubba Irwin (Season 9), and OG Shane O’Neill (Season 1).
Thanks largely to his general work and Japanese snake, Johnson was named the most recent Ink Master. Here the San Diego tattoo titan opens up about his journey by means of the competitors.
(L to R) DJ Tambe, Joel Madden, Nikko Hurtado, Bobby Johnson, Ryan Ashley, Nikko Hurtado (Angel Lynne/Paramount+)
Congrats on profitable Ink Master. How does it really feel to have that title now?
Bobby Johnson: It’s every little thing. It’s tremendous cool as a result of there’s loads of crossover with Ink Master and loads of the stuff I like. Even simply competing is a giant deal. Meeting everybody there. To win and go all the way in which with the individuals I did was tremendous particular to me.
How do you look again at that tremendous intense ultimate problem?
I used to be actually excited. I don’t know if I really thought I might win. I went into the finale and had loads of enjoyable, however once I came upon it will be three designs, it felt like three alternatives to crush three consecutive tattoos. I simply go along with each single piece the way in which I might draw it. Sometimes arduous work and a bit little bit of luck get you a good distance…I’m my very own worst critic. It’s my largest weak point and power. My self-doubt and critiquing myself have led me to continuously need to get higher and higher. I simply went in and did me. As me, I presumably might be. My largest objective was simply to be me.
Angel Lynne/Paramount+
What was your response while you noticed all these previous Ink Master champs popping out and having a job in selecting the winner?
It was surreal. I believe each tattooer is acquainted with Ink Master in some capability. Names that aren’t solely large from Ink Master, however within the trade normally. When these guys got here out, loads of them had each these statuses. It additionally introduced added stress. You get used to the 4 judges, however now you have got one other panel worrying about what their opinion is, which was refreshing. It was a degree enjoying discipline for everybody.
There have been so many twists this season. Among them, having to be on a workforce coached by the three judges. Then the groups have been switched up. What was it like studying from DJ and Ryan?
I’m fairly okay on my own, however I do like being part of a workforce too as a result of it makes you are feeling like you’re part of one thing. I can lead but additionally take route. I favored being on a workforce and dealing with my opponents or judges and getting their insights.What’s loopy is you’re on a workforce for some time and cozy and assume that is going to be the setup. In regards to the workforce switching up, I don’t assume anybody noticed that coming. I used to be thrown for a loop. DJ as my first coach was actually cool as a result of he taught me his perspective. Switching to Ryan’s workforce was fairly fascinating to get her perception too. They each have been within the competitors or concerned earlier than so their insights have been totally different. It was cool I received two totally different insights with having my very own. It was like I received to use all three.
How do you assume your alliance performed out with Jon and Sydney [Dyer]?
It goes a lot additional than what you see on the air and competitors. You get near individuals. Right off the bat Sydney and Jon and I have been actually shut. Before we came upon what was occurring, we wished to be on the identical workforce. We knew we wished to have an alliance with no matter workforce we landed on. Behind the scenes, Jon and I have been actually shut. We lower one another’s hair as soon as per week.
Together on a regular basis, whether or not it was on the way in which to the studio, on the studio, in between. A humorous little perception about alliances is it was the three of us in an alliance and Freddy. We all frolicked after taking pictures on daily basis. That was tremendous particular to me. Then going to the finale with Jon, it’s a disgrace Sydney didn’t make it. But I believe having Jon there actually helped me to get to the finale. Sydney as effectively. Just emotionally having these guys actually helps. The alliance goes a lot deeper than in the event you get a cranium decide, assist me out.
You point out Freddy [Albrighton] is stunning. I assumed you’ll say Bryan [Black] as a pal, given what we’ve seen on the present.
I believe away from the alliance Bryan is my finest pal from the present. Bryan is such a great individual. I don’t assume there’s a single drop of dangerous vitality about him. He didn’t want an alliance as a result of he was an ideal individual, who stored to himself. Everyone would throw him the tattoo bone. Everyone is aware of we have been shut. We speak typically.
(L to R) Jozzy Camacho, Jon Mesa, Bobby Johnson, Freddie Albrighton (Angel Lynne/Paramount+)
You had a formidable begin however have been taken down a number of notches in the course of the Western tattoo problem with visitor choose Jefferson White. How sobering was it to land at that backside?
It’s well-liked on the web to say I all the time do the identical tattoo, which I didn’t perceive. [The human canvas] requested for a black and grey gunslinger, reasonable. After we went again to my store he was open to me doing no matter I wished. I assumed, “No let’s do the ask.” I wished to point out I used to be there to beat the challenges. I did the tattoo and realized it was much more of an endeavor than I assumed. I didn’t do tremendous good and was on the backside and really rattled and emotional. Not solely that however Charlene [Ngo] went house. She is an superior individual.
What lots of people don’t know is I cried two occasions after that occurred. Not solely behind the scenes however to Charlene. I used to be upset, and she or he was calming me down though she received eradicated. It was a bit little bit of survivor’s guilt seeing an ideal tattoo artist go house. I used to be in a tailspin and wished to get again to tattooing the way in which I tattooed…I made a few dangerous selections. That was arduous for me. I needed to discover a approach to overcome that.
During that interval you had a heated second with Jozzy [Camacho] the place you questioned why she stored being vital of you in entrance of the judges. What was occurring in that second?
Jozzy and I knew one another earlier than the present. We have been shut in a manner, however she was snug saying faults about my tattoo. It was arduous to listen to from a pal I believe. That brought on friction between us, which sucks as a result of she is definitely a very nice individual. I speak to her very often. It’s bizarre to observe that friction again. This is how the competitors is designed and what it’s about. They put you within the stress cooker. Cook or don’t. That was a byproduct of that.
You’re $250,000 richer. How do you intend to make use of the cash?
I didn’t ever assume I might win, even up up to now after the finale airs. I by no means thought concerning the cash. If something, I wished to win the title. That is the cool factor. I do know that is boring, and other people need me to say I need to get a ship powered by champagne. Crazy stuff, however I’m plugged into Ink Master. We shot the finale up till 6 a.m. I received and was fairly emotional and every little thing was surreal.
I used to be on the resort with Jon and Freedy. We had a drink and talked and went again to my resort room I used to be nonetheless not realizing what occurred. I used to be pondering, “I wonder what taxes are on $250,000.” It’s going proper into financial savings. I’ve youngsters, I need to be sure they’re effectively taken care of. I’ll make some investments. I simply need to be sure I do one thing with that cash that’s necessary to them. I simply don’t need it to be a kind of cases the place I had an ideal alternative and consequence and blew it. I need to keep away from that.
Would you do Ink Master once more?
I might do something they requested. It was a lot enjoyable. Such a blast. If I had any regrets all season it’s that I didn’t let my full persona free…I did have a lot enjoyable and would do it in a heartbeat. Anything they ask. For a day, a season. I’d be there in a heartbeat. It was superior.
Ink Master, Season 15, streaming on Paramount+