Plus, she gave us some insight into the making of “Black Ink Crew” Season 10.
What was that transition like?
I wasn’t a tattoo artist when I moved to New York, I was a fine art artist.
I didn’t have money to buy paints and stuff, so I got into tattooing then.
That’s when I moved to this country.
How do you feel like you’ve grown through your experience since joining the crew?
I’ve grown, definitely.
Now, I’m a mom, I own three businesses, so I better act right.
I’ve got things to lose.
Before, I didn’t really care about anything.
What [did] I have to lose?
I didn’t have anything.
Now, I got businesses, and I got my son, and I better act right.
Your priorities are surrounding your son, Nico.
How do you balance working at the shop and managing your career as an entrepreneur and an artist?
Every time people ask me this question, I don’t know how I do it.
I do it by doing it.
I can’t explain it because …
I make it happen because that’s what moms do.
We make it happen.
Diamond Tattoos is my shop, and that’s how I got on “Black Ink.”
They know my shop and the bang out of artist I am, so they reached out to me.
I really don’t get to do anything else.
It’s work, work, work.
There’s no having fun.
There’s no partying.
The only time I have fun, really, is when we film for “Black Ink.”
That’s when I get to do stuff.
[We] do fun stuff.
It’s a fair exchange.
Isn’t that life?
Tune in to find out.
You’ve mentioned your athletic brand 2one2.
What was your motivation?
It started when I became a mom.
I already had 20 jobs.
All that at once.
It could be sexy, comfortable, cute, at once.
I knew that wasn’t just my struggle.
I made the clothing line for everyday women who’re just struggling to hold it together.
That’s so cool.
You had someone designing?
I design everything, and I have a seamstress making it for me.
Has your social media been really helpful in growing your brand or securing more opportunities?
I have a big following on Instagram.
In the beginning stage of my business, all my followers, they would buy my stuff from me.
From then on, Foot Locker reached out and everything else.
I went to Foot Locker around the corner from my shop and bothered them.
“I feel like you need my stuff here.”
After two months, they reached out and that’s how I got in.
Do people recognize you on the street?
That started as soon as I got on TV.
The next day, people started noticing me in the street.
I was like, “Is this for real?”
The power of TV and my social media people say, “I follow you on Instagram.”
I get that every day.
Is it a little overwhelming or is it kind of fun still?
I’m freaking out because of my baby.
I want to protect him.
I don’t know what these people are going to do.
Sometimes, they [get] too close.
That’s the only time I freak out.
Other than that, I love it.
It used to be wild.
There used to be fights all the time, every day, but it’s not like that anymore.
We’ve grown a lot, and that’s good.
Also, I’m like, “Wow, I used to be skinny.”
Do you think you’re going to watch Season 10 as it’s coming out?
It’s my show.
I’m going to watch it and support.
A lot of people don’t like watching themselves.
But I like that you do.
You know what, you’re right.
Let’s not even.
The only reason why I don’t watch is because I feel a little insecure.
After the baby, I gained so much weight.
I’m like, “Ugh.”
I feel insecure watching it.
Sometimes, I do stupid stuff.
That’s out there for everybody to see.
I do not [need] a reminder of how stupid I am sometimes.
You’re being real.
That’s the point of the show, right?
I’m being too real, and that’s uncomfortable to watch.
Let’s be honest.
That’s the only reason.
I’m embarrassed of myself.
“Why am I like that?
I think your fans are going to love it.
“Why did I say that?
Why did I have an argument?”
Ugh, let’s not.”
And then, people want to come judge me.
“Yeah, you’re stupid.”
Sometimes, but sometimes I’m like, “I talk s***, whatever.”
Are you getting more into the art world as you get settled and get more of a following?
The reason why I started tattooing was to support my art.
I’m trying to go back to paint, because I always paint.
I want to do that again.
What was your initial reaction, and how did that affect the filming process?
I was really surprised to see that.
Bed-Stuy, that’s his dog.
When he got Bed-Stuy, he didn’t let me touch Bed-Stuy.
He loved the dog so much.
He was like, “Don’t touch him.
You got to go wash your hands first.”
That’s the Ceaser that I know.
Seeing that, it was unbelievable because that’s not the Ceaser I know.
I didn’t know what to think of it.
It was a lot.
With filming, we were almost done with filming Season 10 when the video came out.
It really didn’t affect [that season] too much because it was already almost done.
Have you heard any word about Season 11?
It’s up in the air right now?
We don’t know, because who knows?
How would your life change if you aren’t filming a Season 11?
Will you have more time to do your other ventures?
I will have a lot more time.
I really can’t imagine my life without “Black Ink” yet.
You’re in the shop and you’re doing interviews, or you do the interviews later?
It all looks really time consuming.
When we go to “Black Ink,” cameras are there.
It’s there filming us.
No matter how you look, how you are, it’s there.
We do that, and then after that we do green screen and all that after.
Yes, because you have to.On TV, don’t you want to look cute?
One time, people are going to be like, “You look crazy.
You look like this.
You look like that.”
I wear 2one2 a lot.
I’ve been to other locations.
New York, you could’t have anything huge.
It’s already expensive as it is.
In New York, we don’t play.
The rent is crazy.
The big biggest difference is the space.
I’m sure you’re inspiring a lot of people.
Do you get messages like that?
I get messages like that a lot.
It’s crazy to me, because I feel like I’m a person trying to make a living.
People are so inspired by the story of my life and everything.
It’s crazy to me that people think I’m an inspiration, because I don’t think that …
I always look past my greatest moments and I don’t give myself credit.
No, not at all.
[I get the messages] a lot.
Email me, DM me, and I’m really thankful for that.
I’m grateful for “Black Ink” for letting me tell my story, my authentic story.
Do you have advice for young artists, tattooed artists, young moms?
Work hard and play hard.
Don’t think too much, and you’ll be where you want to be at, eventually.
Black Ink Crew airs on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on VH1.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
