Jose Vargas
Joel Madden, the renowned Good Charlotte singer and current host of the reality competition series ‘Ink Master,’ recently revealed a particularly unforgettable moment from the upcoming Season 15 that holds a special place in his heart. In an exclusive interview for the Reality Stars of the Year Issue, Madden shared his unique experience with Us Weekly.
As a devoted ‘Ink Master’ fan and now the show’s host, Madden disclosed that this new season has a distinct significance for him. “I got tattooed on the show this year. It was a surprise for me, because I’ve always watched the show and wanted to get tattooed, but thinking about getting tattooed in front of everybody … it’s weird,” Madden told Us Weekly. However, when the opportunity arose for him to get involved in this manner, he enthusiastically agreed. This experience was an exceptional moment for Madden during the season, and he described it as his “favorite part of the season, selfishly.”
While the prospect of getting inked on national television was exciting, Madden confessed that it was also nerve-racking. Tattooing is an intensely personal experience, and having it done while cameras rolled was entirely new for him. He explained, “Getting tattooed is very personal between you and the tattoo artist, and you’re in pain while you’re doing it. To do it in front of the cameras was a new experience for me.”
The tattoo itself remains a well-kept secret, with no spoilers given, but Madden did reveal that it holds deep significance related to his childhood and siblings. He expressed his satisfaction with the end result, stating, “I was very happy with the tattoo.”
Madden’s involvement as a host offered him a unique perspective on the competition. He was captivated by the dedication and talent displayed by the contestants, who faced a variety of challenging tasks. He described the competition as a labyrinth of difficult challenges, where the artists must adapt to various obstacles thrown their way.
However, as a host, one of the most challenging aspects of his role was providing constructive criticism. “It’s really hard for me because in my mind, anybody — especially if they’re good enough to be on Ink Master — they’re a good tattoo artist,” Madden shared. Judging the artists’ work and offering feedback, especially when they didn’t perform as expected, was a tough part of his role.
Finding flaws is an inherent part of the competition, and Madden explained, “In a group of good tattoos, we have to find the worst one because at the end of every week, somebody’s going home.” This can be an emotional experience, as the competition is a pivotal moment in these tattoo artists’ careers, and their emotional investment is palpable.
Joel Madden believes that Season 15 of ‘Ink Master’ will be a truly memorable one. He assures fans of the show that they will be introduced to some extraordinary new tattoo artists and potential superstars. Madden, who is a devoted ‘Ink Master’ fan himself, anticipates that this season will become a favorite among the show’s followers.
The upcoming Season 15 of ‘Ink Master’ is set to return on Wednesday, November 1, exclusively on Paramount+. For fans of tattoo art and competition, this season promises to be a must-watch event.
