Ink Master: OGs vs Young Guns is the sixteenth season of tattoo reality competition show, Ink Master which was announced on October 2, 2024. It premiered on October 23, 2024, with the first three episodes premiering on Paramount+ and the following episodes being released weekly. Good Charlotte vocalist Joel Madden returns as host, while season 8 winner Ryan Ashley and Nikko Hurtado return as judges for their third season and three-time champion, DJ Tambe, returning for his second.
Like the previous season, artists competed against each other for the title of Ink Master as well as a $250,000 cash prize. The season contained 16 new artists competing, which were unveiled before the season premiere. The season saw artists who had been in the industry for more than a decade and a group of newer artists who had only been tattooing for a few years.
James Tex was crowned the winner of the season, with his son, Anthony Tex, being the runner-up.
Judging and ranking Judging panel The judging panel is a table of four primary judges. The judges make their final decision by voting to see who had best tattoo of the day, and who goes home.
Jury of Peers Whoever wins Best Tattoo of the Day, their team will be able to put one artist up for elimination, regardless what team they are on.
During the finale, six eliminated contestants returned to form a jury and voted one artist to the top two.
Contestants The two episodes featured 16 artists competing to be one of the 12 artists that were split into two teams of 6. Two OGs and two Young Guns were eliminated if they do not earn a spot on a team.
Names, experience, and cities stated are at time of filming.
Contestant Name Years ofexperience Hometown OutcomeJames Tex26Calgary, CanadaWinnerAnthony Tex13Calgary, CanadaRunner-upCat Castro8Riverside, California3rd placeStephanie Heffron14Tucson, Arizona4th placePony Lawson22Chicago, Illinois5th placeJade Olivia3Everett, Massachusetts6th place Lucy Hu20Alhambra, California7th placeTrevor Burtz9San Clemente, California8th placeJoseph Serrano4Puerto Rico9th placeJorell Elie15Atlanta, Georgia10th placeJenna Coffin5Edmonton, Canada11th placeAlena Wedderburn 10 New York City, New York12th placeAndy Pho13Hutto, Texas13th placeManny Fernandez13Las Vegas, Nevada14th placeJohnny Angel4Sacramento, California15th placeLove Duncan6Alexandria, Virginia16th place Notes
Chosen OGsJames TexAnthony TexStephanie HeffronLucy HuPony LawsonJorell Elie
Young GunsAlena WedderburnJoseph SerranoJade OliviaJenna CoffinCat CastroTrevor Burtz
Not chosen Contestant NameLove DuncanJohnny AngelManny FernandezAndy Pho
Contestant progress Indicates the contestant was a Young Gun. Indicates the contestant was an OG. Contestant Episode12345678910SAFELOWBTM4TOP3TOP2ADV WinnerSAFETOP4LOWHIGHSAFEHIGHBTM3ADVRunner-upBTM4SAFEHIGHTOP3TOP2TOP3BTM3ADVEliminatedSAFETOP4TOP2LOWSAFESAFEBTM3ELIM GuestSAFEWINTOP3HIGHHIGHSAFEHIGHELIM GuestTOP4SAFEBTM3SAFESAFEHIGHBTM3ELIM GuestSAFETOP4SAFELOWSAFEBTM4ELIM GuestBTM4SAFESAFEBTM3BTM3ELIM GuestTOP4SAFELOWBTM3BTM3ELIM GuestSAFEWINBTM3SAFEELIMTOP4SAFELOWSAFEELIMSAFEELIMSAFEELIMELIMELIM
The contestant won Ink Master. The contestant was the runner-up. The contestant was eliminated during the finale. The contestant advanced to the finale. The contestant won Best Tattoo of the Day. The contestant won their Head-to-Head challenge. The contestant was ranked at the top by the judges during the Blind Critique. The contestant was among the top. The contestant received positive critiques. The contestant received negative critiques. The contestant was in the bottom. The contestant was put in the bottom by the Jury of Peers. The contestant was eliminated from the competition. The contestant quit the competition. The contestant returned as a guest in the episode.
Episodes
No More Ink For the season's after show, No More Ink, contestants from previous seasons, veteran artists, and various celebrities are interviewed about their careers and opinions on the episode's tattoos by the contestants. The show is hosted by judge, Ryan Ashley. A segment called "Ink Remastered" is introduced, which gives a past contestant redemption on a tattoo they were sent home on.
Episode 1: Nikko Hurtado (aired: October 23, 2024) Episode 2: Nikki Simpson (aired: October 23, 2024) Episode 3: Loosey LaDuca (aired: October 24, 2024) Episode 4: Megan Massacre (aired: October 30, 2024) Episode 5: Darren Brand (aired: November 6, 2024) Episode 6: Mandii B (aired: November 13, 2024) Episode 7: Natalie Cuomo (aired: November 20, 2024) Episode 8: Andrea Richter (aired: November 27, 2024) Episode 9: Maino (aired: December 4, 2024) Episode 10: Bang Bang (aired: December 11, 2024)
References
External links Official website