When Tattoo Artists Tell the Truth Over Tequila

There are some questions tattoo artists usually won’t answer.

Not because they don’t have opinions, but because diplomacy is part of the job. Ask them which tattoo trends have run their course. Which clients test their patience. Which celebrity has bad tattoos. Most artists know the answers. They just don’t usually say them out loud.

That’s what made Inked’s latest episode of Truth or Sip with Tequila Corrido so entertaining.

The rules were simple: answer the question honestly or take a sip of tequila.

For Corrido, it was a fitting premise. Named after the traditional Mexican corridos that celebrated the stories of everyday people, the independent tequila brand has built its identity around authenticity instead of celebrity. That philosophy extends to what’s in the bottle as well. Corrido is committed to additive free tequila, letting the agave and craftsmanship define every expression rather than relying on ingredients added later. A game built on honest conversation felt like a natural place to start.

It didn’t take long before the conversation loosened up.

When asked which celebrity had bad tattoos, one artist didn’t hesitate.

“Justin Bieber,” she laughed. “I love you so much. Some of your tattoos are so bad.”

It was exactly the kind of answer the game was designed to uncover.

From there, the questions kept coming.

The artists debated the tattoo equivalent of a “Live, Laugh, Love” sign before the conversation drifted to tattoo trends that seem to cycle through every generation. Angel numbers, lions with crosses and roses, butterflies, and chrome script all made the list as the artists reflected on the designs they see again and again.

The conversation wasn’t just about trends. It also became a reflection on how tattooing changes with experience.

The artists admitted there were tattoos they confidently recommended early in their careers that they wouldn’t suggest today. Experience, they agreed, changes the way you approach consultations, placement, and even the conversations you have with first time clients.

As the game continued, the questions became more personal. The artists talked about difficult clients, awkward direct messages, and the mistakes they’ve made and learned from throughout their careers.

Some answers came quickly.

Others were answered with another sip.

That’s what made the episode work.

It didn’t feel like a formal interview. It felt like sitting in the corner of a tattoo shop after hours, listening to artists tell stories they normally keep between themselves.

For anyone who has spent time around tattoo culture, those conversations feel familiar. They’re honest, unfiltered, occasionally sarcastic, and usually followed by a laugh.

That’s also what makes Corrido feel like a natural partner for the series.

Tattooing has always been a craft built on authenticity. The best artists don’t build lasting reputations through hype or trends. They earn them one client at a time through honesty, consistency, and years of refining their craft. Corrido approaches tequila with that same philosophy, choosing additive free production and craftsmanship over trends and shortcuts while building its identity around genuine stories instead of celebrity endorsements.

In the end, Truth or Sip isn’t really about tequila.

It’s about creating the kind of environment where honest conversations happen naturally.

The tequila starts the conversation.

The artists make it worth listening to.