In 2008, TMZ reported that Kat Von D allegedly wrote an anti-Semitic autograph to her "Miami Ink" costar Ami James. There were no witnesses to the message being written, according to the publication, though fellow costar Chris Garver told TMZ that Von D handed him the photo. TLC — the network that hosted Von D's reality show — investigated the matter at the time, and Von D called the autograph a "forgery," according to TMZ. She also added that she was proud of the show's editors for not including footage that showed her "wasted." After leaving "Miami Ink" in 2007, Von D began to star in her own series "LA Ink" that same year. In a now-archived 2008 interview with Inked Magazine, the tattoo artist said her show had "triple the amount of viewers" that "Miami Ink" did. She also described the latter program as "monotonous and repetitive," which she felt was different than her spin-off.

She then asked her followers to not "shame" her family for learning how to use guns and "setting up safe storage" in their home to keep firearms. She also said she doesn't believe guns should be "taken lightly," or that people should be able to buy guns without proper training. Speaking to PR.com in 2008, Von D described tattoos as a form of expression: "I didn't do this as an attention-seeking act of rebelling. It was more, I actually just like this and I want to get tattooed, and I want it so much that I don't care if other people treat me differently." In response to those critics, she asked: "How would you feel if a mentally ill stalker who was convinced that they were married to you, with prior felonies broke into your home after already having trespassed onto your property before?" Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.She said in the 11-minute video that an unnamed "Miami Ink" costar felt "threatened" by her popularity and strong women while she was still on the show. Von D said that at the time, this costar sabotaged her tattoo equipment, sent her inappropriate photos, touched her without her consent, and later used the anti-Semitic autograph, which Von D said was forged, in the hopes of canceling her spin-off show.

In response, Von D filmed a YouTube video in March of that year titled "I am NOT a nazi. I am NOT anti-vaxx." She's now seeking unspecified damages, and alleges that she faced retaliation, discrimination in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, unlawful business practices, and wrongful termination, among other issues, while working under the celebrity tattoo artist. We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when You're going to wear a maxi pad on your face?" Von D said to one employee who wore a mask, according to the complaint. At the time, TLC told TMZ that Von D "vehemently denied authoring the text" and that a "full investigation was immediately conducted." It determined that "insufficient evidence existed to conclude that she had" written the autograph, and "no disciplinary action was taken," as TLC told the publication in 2008. Representatives for the network did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Kat Von D's former makeup brand has a new name: KVD Beauty

Von D also said that while she used to give herself tattoos, she later began collecting body art from 30 to 40 artists around the world. According to TatRing, some of her pieces include Beethoven's initials, portraits of her mom and sister, multiple flowers, and numerous nods to her exes. Her most notable tattoo is arguably the string of stars around her left eye. During an appearance on the "Second Life" podcast in January 2020, Von D said the beauty industry has become "a culture thing" filled with influencerswho tell you what to buy and how to look to "be cool." In a lengthy Facebook post shared on March 19, 2015, Von D said she could understand "why some have found reason to be offended" by the name "Underage Red," which she took credit for creating. Still, she wanted to "correct" people who "clearly misinterpreted the name itself, and the inspiration behind it."