Since its 2013 debut, VH1's Black Ink Crew (later retitled to Black Ink Crew: New York) has been one of the network's highest rated reality shows. The series, which is currently filming the second half of its ninth season, focuses on the daily lives and drama of tattoo artists in Harlem. The show's success has led to VH1 creating spin-offs of other black-owned tattoo shops located in Chicago and Compton.
Like many long-running reality shows that revolve around businesses and a variety of personalities, many cast members come and go, while some stay for quite some time. Furthermore, it is also not uncommon for cast members to return after a few seasons in order to boost drama or ratings. Below is a list of who has left and who is still standing on the hit reality show.
7 Ceaser Emanuel Owns The Shop
Considering he owns and manages the Black Ink tattoo shop, it's highly unlikely Ceaser Emanuel will be stepping away from the show anytime soon, as he is the only cast member to remain on the show throughout all seasons, where he has often verbally and physically clashed with various cast members. Due to the show's popularity improving his business, Emanuel has developed Black Ink into a franchise, opening a second New York City-area location in Brooklyn, as well as locations in other cities such as Atlanta, Houston, Orlando and most recently, Milwaukee.
6 Puma Robinson Left After Season Four (But Came Back)
Formerly the public relations manager of Black Ink, Puma Robinson departed from the show after season four to focus on opening his own Art2Ink tattoo shop, though he returned for season eight in 2019. The opening of his own shop made him a rival of his former workplace and further fueled his feud with Emanuel, however the two have since buried the hatchet after posting pictures together on his Instagram. Outside of work, Robinson devotes his life to his wife and two children. He and his wife starred on WEtv's Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars to overcome their marriage issues, which appear to have helped.
5 Young Bae Owns Diamond Tattoos
Besides being a part of the Black Ink Crew, South Korean-born tattoo artist Young Bae has also been the owner of Diamond Tattoos, a tattoo shop in Times Square she's owned since 2009. Away from her tattoo works, she has her own clothing line called 2one2 Apparel, which aspires to please customers with clothing options "from day, workout, to evening." One of her main storylines on the show was her journey to motherhood and marriage to a man named Rob, however as of 2021, it was reported that he was no longer in his son's life.
4 Richard 'O'S**t' Duncan Left The Main Cast After Season Five
During his early time on the show, Richard 'O'S**t' Duncan struggled with addiction and later clashed with Ceaser Emanuel. A year after leaving the show in 2017, Duncan relocated to the Atlanta area, where he opened the Drip Tattoo Collective shop. Regarding his personal life, he married recurring Black Ink Crew cast member Nikki Duncan, whom he shares two children with. In addition, he has three other children from previous relationships.
3 Dutchess Lattimore Left After Season Five
The former fiancée of Ceaser Emanuel, Dutchess Lattimore left the show after five seasons due to calling off their engagement. She has since been enjoying life away from the drama, as she has seemingly left her reality TV days in the past in order to focus on her own endeavors. Like some other cast members, Lattimore also ventured into her own tattoo business, opening the Pretty N Ink tattoo shop in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2 Karis 'Miss Kitty' Phillips Became A Main Cast Member In Season Eight
Another romantic fling of Ceaser's, Karis 'Miss Kitty' Phillips served as the brand ambassador for the Black Ink brand. After making recurring appearances, she was promoted to the main cast by season eight, though departed after the season's conclusion after her and the Black Ink owner's messy breakup. Though some believed she would be done with the show for good, she ended up appearing on the spin-off Black Ink Crew: Chicago's seventh season, which is currently airing Monday nights.
1 Sky Days Left After Seaon Eight
Known for being unafraid to speak her mind and get vocal, Sky Days became one of the stars of the show, and eventually a celebrity of her own. Her time on the show showcased her complicated relationship with her estranged sons she gave up for adoption years prior. Like Ceasar, she as well has had a a fair amount of clashes with co-stars, including a few physical altercations with castmate Donna Lombardi. After leaving the show in 2020, she relocated to Los Angeles. According to her Instagram, she can be seen doing nightclub appearances and hanging out with other VH1 reality show stars such as the stars of Love & Hip Hop and Basketball Wives, as well as celebrities like Chris Brown and Cardi B.
