Kat Von D's Inflammatory Photograph

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Lisa.

That's probably how a whole bunch of germans dealt with the beginning of the holocaust. It's just stress and they're just taunting....they don't REALLY want the jews to burn in hell, do they??

just saying.

As a gay, if an employee handed me a card that said something to the effect "you deserve to die from aids you F*ing Fag", I don't know if I'd be willing to chalk it up to workplace stress. Maybe, but i doubt it.

Uh, yeah, anti-semitism is definitely a way to piss someone off.

Please don't try to make excuses for hate speech.

hey s,

i'm not trying to diminish how offensive i find her photo to be--i was just trying to be objective since i think that there's a lot of immature behavior going on with a lot of the individuals of that show, which i've seen from watching multiple episodes. i did call it "dumb and unprofessional"

also, though, someone has pointed out to me her last name is von drachenberg and her family comes from argentina, which is kind of an unnerving coincidence.

lisa t.

Uh, yeah, anti-semitism is definitely a way to piss someone off.

Please don't try to make excuses for hate speech.

If she said it, she should be fired. Lots of other "celebrities" have been called out for this type of language. Her intent or what might have provoked it is irrelevant. If she didn't do it someone really wants to make her look bad.

You host a gossip website which at the heart is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek and kind of funny. It can be mean-spirited, too. But when it comes to words that represent hate you should be a bit more responsible when excusing or explaining away that kind of language. Grossly irresponsible on your part.

If she said it, she should be fired. Lots of other "celebrities" have been called out for this type of language. Her intent or what might have provoked it is irrelevant. If she didn't do it someone really wants to make her look bad.

You host a gossip website which at the heart is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek and kind of funny. It can be mean-spirited, too. But when it comes to words that represent hate you should be a bit more responsible when excusing or explaining away that kind of language. Grossly irresponsible on your part.

ok, the last thing i'm adding to this...on my last comment, pointing out the german connection...shouldn't have been adding fuel to the fire.

and...i'm done here!

lisa t.

I, who am Jewish myself, do not appreciate anti-Semitism comments with no excuses!

I, who am Jewish myself, do not appreciate anti-Semitism comments with no excuses!

Yeah, she used an anti-Semitic remark. She's Kat Von D - a woman with the intelligence of a grape. Are we really surprised she didn't think before she wrote the note. Stupid people make stupid mistakes.

the picture is clearly offensive and hurtful, but to compare the holocaust--the systematic genocide of a people--to a hateful postcard that may or may not be a hoax, clearly trivializes the gravity of the holocaust itself.

if someone did forge the note like kat's claiming on her myspace blog, then it looks as if they got exactly what they wanted by pushing the right buttons.

He didn't even receive the card directly from her, how do we know she even wrote it? I'm thinking Ami is a little jealous of how popular Kat has gotten and wants to bring her down a big ole notch.

I think that until we hear from Ms. Von D, we should refrain from judging.

serves you right for dedicating any time at all to this twit, i saw her show once and she talks like a grade 8 boy. she's is a write off, why people choose to accept such crappy television i do not know, you have a tattoo i get it ok?!?. so ya she's not below anti-sematism to get her point across. Anyways, in case you needed to be told , Kat Von Dee(nice name btw) was a huge jobber from day one, seeing her stoop to pathetic childish levels is no surprise here, did you think she was moral upstanding individual or something. she's classless and weird. i wouldn't let her draw on me if she paid me.

I'll just say that I've met Ami James (I got a tattoo at Miami Ink - wasn't filmed, so don't get all excited) and he was extremely nice to me, even though, as you say, on the show it looks like he has a short temper. I was really nervous to ask him for a picture, but he was very sweet about it, and even put his arm around me for the picture. He hung around the shop for a while, chatting with some of the artists working on clients, and he seemed to be really chill. Sometimes, people just clash, and I hate to think that Kat von D would stoop so low and do something so ridiculous. We'll see what happens.

Stupidity, immaturity, lack of professionalism... um, sorry, but there are simply NO EXCUSES for this. The woman is at best a total moron, and at worst, a racist piece of sh*t. Either way, I'll be contacting TLC immediately after this posting and letting them know that I will not support their network as long as this woman is on the air.

Kat Von D is f***ing cool!! I luv and admire her, I could never think or talk anything bad against her.
xoxo

Lisa's giving an opinion. Sorry it's not the one you want. "Grossly irresponsible?" She can write whatever the hell she wants.

This is misleading: "the systematic genocide of a people"... A PEOPLE were not just slaughtered, many types of people died in the holocaust, not just Jews.

@Giada:

Are you out of your fucking mind? I suggest you take a serious, honest look at yourself and this situation. Unless you happen to agree with KVD, it's not in your best interest to defend her here.

@Lisa, I know you're trying to diminish how blatantly atrocious KVD's behavior is by chalking it up outright ignorance, but I think people aren't going to necessarily agree as your tone seemed flippant and dismissive. It's hate speech, whether she's obscenely ignorant or not. I don't think you were actually defending her actions though and I don't think that's fair to you. I understand that you're trying really hard to say "this person did a horrifying thing, probably because she's fucking retarded." Any act of racism and bigotry is obviously going to be committed by an extremely ignorant and insensitive person - that much is obvious. Thing is, KVD has done something truly vile and hate-inspired and she needs to be called out on it.

@Honey Pot. Yes, Ami didn't receive it directly from Kat. But Kat personally handed it to Chris Garver, and apparently there were witnesses.

As a regular viewer of the two shows (Miami Ink and LA Ink), I can honestly say that Chris Garver would never lie about anything like this.

So if Garver said she handed him that picture to give to Ami, then she did hand him that picture.

Besides, the handwriting analyst commissioned by TLC said it is 99% her handwriting.

There is no ifs or buts here. She wrote it, and whether she meant it or not, it doesn't make a difference. She should face the consequences instead of going around granting interviews and making herself appear to be the victim.

Her ego needs to be inflated for her own good.

yall are some bullshit bitches.

For one thing, even if Kat's last name is German, it doesn't mean her family history is Jewish. Plus, did Ami ever say he was Jewish? I never saw it on camera, if so.

Secondly, if Kat wrote this, why do you think she'd admit it? Of course she'd take her cue from Bill Clinton and DENY DENY DENY.

Third, if Ami actually took this seriously, and he has the temper he does, he wouldn't go through TLC to take action against her. He'd sue or even press charges because that type of thing is outlined as AGAINST THE LAW in our judicial system. He'd want that whole saga to play out on her show so her career would go down the drain completely. Being black, that would be my course of action...I'd Al Sharpton the shit out of her.

Lastly, if Kat actually wrote that, I think her second-to-last episode on Miami Ink showed that she wouldn't go through a third party to piss of someone. She told that girl from OCChoppers on the phone directly that her tattoo idea was stupid.

I didn't even know about this crap until I saw that bulletin "she" posted on her MySpace and only saw this because I didn't know what the heck she was talking about.

That photo and this whole ishkabibble is PRE-MEDITATED and PLANTED for all youse to fight over.

Congratulations, American consumers. I consider myself 10% stupider even putting in my 2-cents.

"Congratulations, American consumers. I consider myself 10% stupider even putting in my 2-cents."

That certainly was reflected in your nonsensical comment.
Particularly, "For one thing, even if Kat's last name is German, it doesn't mean her family history is Jewish."
Does that even make sense to you?

We should all feel free to submit a question regarding what TLC is doing about this.

You can do so here: http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations

For example:

What is your network doing in regards to allegations of Kat's anti-Semitic remark towards a former employer?
http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com/2008/02/08/kat_von_ds_inflammatory_photograph.php

The writeing was analized to be 99% by her hand.
I have no sympathy for her than I did for "Dog the Bounty Hunter".
Garver has no reason for telling a lie.
Her denial is her own undoing, I much rather she had admitted to her bigotry and asked for an apology.
I will watch no longer, her way of dealing with her departure from Miami was a sad way for her reputation to end.
Even Britany Spears and Paris Hilton have never been called on the carpet for such a remark.

This is completly untrue if any of you had her as a friend on myspace you would of read this post she made a few days ago...

" I AM NOT A RACIST.
Body: I cannot begin to tell you how disgusted and disappointed i am with the recent rumors that started circulating around town, all of which are COMPLETELY FALSE.

Against the advice of my publicist, agent, and others, I have decided to be completely open and honest about the following, because you guys deserve that:

For quite some time, on my personal website, I had a section for "Autograph Requests". At any time, ANYONE could go on there, type in their name and mailing address, and my assistant and I would send you an 8x10 photograph of me signed, free of charge.
Honestly, we started getting an average about 2,000 per day, and couldn't keep up, so we took that option down. Now, when people send us gifts to the shop, fan art, or write us from jail, we send out an autographed 8x10, usually personalized as a gesture of thanks and appreciation. Anyone, could get their hands on one of these 8x10s.

Unfortunately, one of these 8x10's got in the hands of an evil, insecure, and spiteful person, who thought it would be a good idea to FORGE this kind of trash.

For those of you that HAVE received signed 8x10's from me in the past, you can CLEARLY see that this is a slanderous case of FORGERY, FRAUD, and attempt at getting attention.

I worked at Miami Ink for quite some time, before friction began between Ami (the owner) and I started, all of which was fueled by insecurity, jealousy, and lack of work ethic, ALL ON HIS PART. After endless counts of trying to make it work, it was clear that shit wasn't working out, and we all decided it was best to go our ways. I guess the old saying is true, "You can't shake hands with a fist."
But I always saw this as a positive new beginning... for the both of us! NEVER, have i wished the Miami Ink crew any harm - quite the opposite. In every interview after me leaving Miami, up until this very day, I always say how its a bummer things didn't work out, and even though I don't stay in contact with any of the guys, I wish them the best. And personally, I'm not the kind of girl that could harbor bad feelings inside. That always ends up making you a miserable human being, and i refuse to be that person. Shit happens, and you move on.

I did move on, and really focused on my tattooing, new shop, new crew, family, and myself. Consequently, La Ink was a success, and all the hard work truly paid off. But while everyone around us was supportive and happy for us, jealousy and fear grew in others, causing a feeling of desperation.
the next thing you know this fake 8x10 thing pops up, with much surprise to me. I mean, the first time I saw the actual photo with the writing on it, I almost puked, considering, those are things I would NEVER even think about, let alone write!
After serious investigation, all conclusions proved that it was NOT ME who wrote that junk.

And to think, the people I once loved and cared for like family, are the ones responsible for all of this. I've heard about strategic press, like a sex tape before the launch of a new season "magically" surfacing to the public, BUT THIS IS TRULY A SAD, SAD ATTEMPT.

I am in no way, planning on discussing this topic any further with press, and refuse to feed into this drama. this is what they want, attention. But I have always felt like my MySpace was a place where true fans go, and we can stay connected through my blogs and bulletins. This is why I feel this inclined to let you guys be aware of the truth.

Personally, I STILL don't wish anything bad upon the REAL culprit in this crime, but hope that one day, they come to the realization that living a life fueled by hatred will only make them unhappy in the end.

Thanks for those of you who took the time to listen to me, and continue to support everything good that we are trying to get across, because from the bottom of my heart, i love EVERYONE.

Yours truly,

Kat Von D"

Wow....I SMELL A BAD CASE OF JEW ENVY.

this shit i all blown out of proportion.
1) i agree anti-semetic jokes are totally wrong, no exceptions. but,
2)Kat von D used to mail these autographed pics out via her website, it is highly likely that someone could have added the insult above her signature.

to elizabesth b your on her myspace whatthefuck who cares! anyone can be on myspace
and let us not forget her grandparents where nazi's .
and as far as her silly little myspace note she sounds like a cry baby-wahwahawh, what a whiney self absorbed little bitch kat is.
by the way are those of you who deny kat did this saying that chris garver is a lier? i believe ami and garver over that child of nazi family anyday.
quote:
"No one witnessed Kat write the message, but Chris Garver, another tattoo artist on "Miami Ink," tells TMZ Kat personally handed him the photo."

TLC tried to cover it up to protect their new star, until Ami brought in the lawyers. At that point, TLC "went to a handwriting analyst who concluded "there is a 99% probability that Kat Von D" wrote the message. In early July 2007, Avi's lawyer went to TLC with the analysis. They simply sent him a letter back that acknowledged receiving the results and said, "We trust that this information will be kept strictly confidential.".

it would seem this is the reason it was kept quite for so long.

The MySpace message posted from Kat Von D failed to formally accuse Garver of lying. Even if some crazy person did take her autographed photo and took the time to get one of those silver autograph markers and copy her handwriting (so meticulously that it passed the muster with a handwriting expert)...how did it get to Ami? If you're gonna have the balls to lie, go full throttle and accuse Chris Garver of lying. So everyone can laugh at you.

And I'm not at all surprised at TLC's response. I WAS actually surprised they would hire a legitimate handwriting expert until someone brought up Ami getting a lawyer involved. Of course TLC wants to kill this controversy. They're making money off of all of these people and their hit shows; they don't want to take sides, they just want it to go away.

she totally wrote it. there's a tattoo book that just came out that features a page w/ a handwritten note she did explaining one of her tats. the writing is totally the same!!!!

I watch LA Ink for the cool other artists. Cory is by far the best. Kim is a cutey and what's the other's name?..she's cool too. I like all three of them. Pixy and Kat, they have the personalities of bricks...Kat is especially stupid.

HI I WAS A FAN OF KAT FOR A LONG TIME BUT KNOW THAT I FOUND OUT SHE DONT LIKE JEWS AND I AM WELL I DONT LIKE HER NOMORE I GET RID OF ALL HER THINGS I HAD THATS ALL ELENA

As I watch both miami and l.a. ink religiously, i can honestly say that if garver said kat handed him the postcard with the racist remark, i totally 100% believe him.

Garver and Kat were really close friends back then and Garver even said in the episode where Kat was laid off that he thought Ami was making a huge mistake as Kat's a really talented artist.

Garver really liked Kat and I don't see why he would ever say this about Kat if it wasn't true. Garver is widely-recognized to be one of the best and most popular tattoo artists in the entire world.

He certainly doesn't need publicity and especially not in this manner-by pulling down one of his old friends in the process.

If you watch Miami Ink, you could really tell that Garver is one of the most down to earth and humble guys on the planet.

To even think that he did this out of insecurity or jealousy really doesn't make any sense to me.

As I am Filipino-CHinese, I can honestly say that it doesn't matter what race or religion you come from. Anybody can be racist.

It doesn't matter whether Kat is from German and Italian descent, if she was Spanish or if she was White, anyone could be Anti-Semitic.

It is an irony, and a sad one, too, but it's true.

Being of Spanish heritage, i.e. not being WHite herself, doesn't stop her from saying such a thing.

Although Ami is hot-tempered at times, he is never evil or mean-spirited to his friends. He gets mad only because he wants what's best for his friends, or the shop, and not because he was a jerk.

You guys should remember that it was Kat who disrespected Ami by bad-mouthing him to other people.

She claims she was helping him out with the shop, but it was truly Miami Ink and Ami who helped HER launch her career.

Kat wouldn't be who she is today without AMi's help.

Though I wouldn't put it behind AMi to be jealous of Kat, I don't think he would ever resort to this type of childish, immature behavior.He is very practical, reasonable and mature in delaing with conflicts with anybody in the show.

i Bet Kat just regrets writing it and is, of course, afraid to ruin her rep, that's why she would rather die than admit she ever wrote such a thing.

I stand by Garver and AMi,plus the handwriting analysis that was done for the TLC management.

I am so disappointed with TLC. I'm glad Miami INk is no longer taking any crap from a channel that only cares about earning money.

How unethical.

Even IF she wrote this signature, which I highly doubt, she may do and or say some (considered by cookie cutter normalcy) pretty stupid stuff, But there is no way she would write something like this to give to somebody. But the most important detail about this whole fabrication is, that IF Chris Garver was given this photo as stated by "TMZ" there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY GARVER WOULD EVER CONSIDER GIVING THAT PHOTO TO WHOEVER IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY DESIGNED FOR ESPECIALLY AMI NO MATTER WHO ASKED HIM TOO. Garver would never get himself involved or let himself be a part of something like this. Garver is way to emotional and intelligent.

so watch both shows because they both have alot to offer. No one has ever said that you HAVE to like or respect a person in order to appreciate their talent or art. Would anyone really decide to never buy an album of really great music that you really love just because a member of that band said something you disagreed with or has different extremist views than you? Oasis were total and still are complete pricks and aholes but Im not going stop listening to morningglory because he's called other bands I like names. That's just stupid.

Kat,

I have a lot of respect for you as an artist. Same goes for Ami and Chris (Garver). Ami is an emotional man, you're a sensitive girl (I'm from Holland excuse the writing). Things heat up, people don't think clear and do things they regret later.

I can imagine Ami (being the person that he is), 2 not always be reasonable, same goes for you.

But why would Chris, try 2 hurt you in anyway? He's not the kinda man, 2 get jalous over succes or attention. He's a great artist himself and used 2 be a close friend. Why would he be involved in writing such a comment or forging a note?

First of all, all of this is speculation. It will be speculation until anything substantial is said by either parties involved.

HOW ABOUT....we leave this to the parties involved...appreciate the people for who they are, famous, and on t.v. for an hour, and then...not bother them outside of that?

Its ridiculous. That people are fighting over who did what. Kat Von D is a sweet person, and maybe she ISN'T the brightest, but everyone has said something mean or done something stupid.

EVERYONE has had road rage and if the person who cut you off happen to be black, Jewish, Spanish, Chinese, most everyone has said or thought something derogatory or has rolled down their window to let the other driver know what you think about their driving which has to be because their of said origin, et cetera et cetera, and its only blow out of proportion because she's famous.

That does not mean she needs to be an upstanding citizen because we're all watching her.

I like Kat Von D. I like Ami James.

I think this whole thing is bullshit and maybe its not really any of our business to sit here and speculate. How did this picture get circulated in the first place??? I can't see Ami bothering to scan this and post it online, Sure as shit, Kat or Garver didn't post it, his lawyer?

But either way. This is stupid. People fighting on the internet. Give yourselves a pat on the back.

ALSO, some of the idiotic comments here, are just...amazing. Thank you. C: