THEY’RE ALL SET MAKE A MARK ON REALITY TV SCENE
ASPIRING Gold Coast tattoo artists could win a share of $250,000 in cash and prizes as well as a highly sought after tattoo apprenticeship with worldrenowned Celebrity Ink when a tattoo reality show begins filming later this year.
Pre-production on the show, Celebrity Ink Young Gunz, has begun with filming of the 10-12 episode series to be done in Sydney in November.
The show will be hosted by industry bigwigs Ami James and Bernadette Macias, with Gold Coasters Mitch Costello and artist Tiki Laddawan appearing as potential guest judges.
The pair co-own the Celebrity Ink brand.
“We want to find the best of the best, we’re looking for raw talent,” Mr Costello said.
“We’re scouting and looking for 20 of the best apprentices possible — including from remote parts of the country for the show.”
“The series will follow the trials and tribulations of apprentice tattoo artists, as they navigate challenges and rigorous tests.
“There will be weekly challenges and pressure challenges, but we’re going to get the apprentices to get back to the basics of how to make a machine, how to make a needle, teaching them skills they might not know already.
“The winner will travel between all our studios around the world to learn from the best.”
Celebrity Ink is in the throes of a major expansion: a Coomera location will open soon there are plans for parlors in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Bangkok, Kata, Koh Samui and Ho Chi Minh City.
“We started with two or three artists in Phuket,” Mr Costello said. “We now employ 120 artists at 17 studios worldwide.”