Q&A with Deanna James about Ink Master Experience

Eden Body Art owner Deanna James recently went back on Ink Master. We sat down with her for a quick Q&A about her experience on one of the hottest tattooing shows on TV.

Eden: Deanna, this is your second time on Ink Master. (Congrats!) What made you say yes to a second appearance? How did they reach back out to you?

DJ: I wanted another chance to do something new and fun in my tattoo career and compete again. They called me just about a week and a half before I was supposed to leave, so it was also very spontaneous.

What about the experience on the show do you like most? 

DJ: I didn’t have the greatest time on the show this year because of the intense pain I was in from my sciatica. But if I had to choose the best thing about the show, it was meeting my good friends, Holly and Katie.

What are some of the most challenging things about the show? (Other than, you know, the actual challenges themselves.)

DJ: It’s very challenging having to explore your abilities on national television when there’s $250,000 on the line. It’s very nerve-wracking. 

Ink Master and the women on the show’s various seasons have always been a point of discussion in the public eye. (Especially when Ryan Ashley became the first woman to win after 8 seasons of the show.) Have you seen any changes in women being on the show from the first time you went on to the most recent time? 

DJ: The fact that there’s a woman judge now is pretty phenomenal. But also, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. Women have been ruling the tattoo industry for a little while now after being underdogs, and it’s about time people recognize us as serious competitors and serious artists. 

You’re someone who’s big on showing women they can be successful in creating a space of their own in this industry. Can you talk a little bit about how important representation is on shows like Ink Master? 

DJ: It’s important to represent really good artists who happen to be women because it normalizes it. Hopefully one day we won’t even think about the gender of a tattooer, but instead, recognize them for the artists that they are.

Lastly, what was your favorite part of filming/the process in general?

DJ: Making new friends was really the best part!