Ryan Ashley Malarkey Responds On Instagram After ‘Controversial’ ‘Ink Master’ Win

Ryan Ashely Malarkey, the first woman to win “Ink Master,” took to Instagram Wednesday after her historic win the day before. Malarkey showed off her 24-hour chest piece tattoo, which ultimately won her the coveted Season 8 title.

Each artist in the final three was forced to tattoo a style that wasn’t their specialty. Malarkey was given '90s new school, competitor Gian Karle Cruz had watercolor and Kelly Doty was given traditional. Some viewers complained Cruz’s tattoo was superior. Malarkey addressed those accusations.

“It was a close race, and a controversial decision, and there are a few things I'd like to say,” Malarkey wrote. “If you think Gian should have won, that is completely justified. If you think Kelly should have won, you are equally as justified.”

She continued to praise Cruz and Doty. “What I would like to say is that ‘Ink Master’ is a competition where artists play a game to get to the end, but tattoos are ART and art is completely subjective,” Malarkey penned. “In no way does winning this competition make me a better tattooer than any of these other artists. Just as any of the eliminated artists aren't any worse than those who lasted longer during the competition.”

The artist, who specialized in fine line black-and-gray tattoos, continued to compliment her competitors. “Thank you so, so, so much to @kellydotylovessoup for being the most amazing, inspiring friend,” Malarkey wrote. “Thank you to @giankarle for being so positive, and so supportive.”

The only regret Malarkey had was not being 100-percent positive while the reality tattoo series filmed. “My only regrets from the show were all of the moments I was negative or unkind, and would like to make it clear that I have nothing but respect for every person that got to be a part of this experience,” she said.

The post garnered more than 36,000 likes from Malarkey’s 420,000 followers. Aside from title of “Ink Master,” Malarkey won $100,000, a guest spot at Oliver Peck’s tattoo shop in Dallas, a feature in “Ink Magazine” and a 2016 Dodge Charger.

Here is the 24 hour 90's new school "chromed out dueling hot rod" tattoo that won me the title of Inkmaster last night. It was a close race, and a controversial decision, and there are a few things I'd like to say. If you think Gian should have won, that is completely justified. If you think Kelly should have won, you are equally as justified. The two chest pieces that they completed were AMAZING, and any one of them would be equally as deserving of the win. What I would like to say is that Inkmaster is a competition where artists play a game to get to the end, but tattoos are ART and art is completely subjective. In no way does winning this competition make me a better tattooer than any of these other artists. Just as any of the eliminated artists aren't any worse than those who lasted longer during the competition. SO MANY of the artists who got eliminated before the finalé deserved a spot in the top 3, it could have gone so many different ways and they would have kicked ass just as much as we did! What we all went through together was a once in a lifetime experience that you can't really understand unless you were there with us day in and day out. So please, remember that we all worked our asses off and pushed as hard as we could both as artists and competitors, and that nothing good ever comes from negativity or putting another person down. My only regrets from the show were all of the moments I was negative or unkind, and would like to make it clear that I have nothing but respect for every person that got to be a part of this experience. Thank you so, so, so much to @kellydotylovessoup for being the most amazing, inspiring friend. Thank you to @giankarle for being so positive, and so supportive. Thank you to my witch bitches @giarosetattoo and @nikkisimpsontattoos for being my ride or dies during this entire experience. Thank you @oliverpecker for believing in me from day 1 and encouraging me to stay positive and strong. Thank you to @davenavarro and @chrisnunezhandcrafted for the constructive and honest criticism that will make me a better artist each day. And thank you to all of the season 8 artists AND behind the scenes producers for this experience❤️
A photo posted by Ryan Ashley Malarkey (@ryanashleymalarkey) on Dec 7, 2016 at 7:14pm PST

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