Kat Von D
Kat Von D | |
|---|---|
| Born | Katherine von Drachenberg March 8, 1982 Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico |
| Occupation(s) | Tattoo artist, television personality, entrepreneur, singer |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Known for | LA Ink, Kat Von D Beauty (now KVD Beauty) |
Katherine von Drachenberg (born March 8, 1982), widely recognized as Kat Von D, is an American tattoo artist, television figure, entrepreneur, and singer originally from Mexico. She rose to fame through her role as a tattoo artist on TLC’s reality series LA Ink (2007–2010) and previously led the Kat Von D Beauty brand, now known as KVD Beauty. In May 2021, she debuted her first single "Exorcism" from the album Love Made Me Do It, followed by the release of her second studio album, My Side of the Mountain, in 2024.
Early life
Katherine von Drachenberg was born in Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico, to René and Sylvia (née Galeano), missionaries affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church who possess Argentine ancestry alongside German, Italian, Spanish, and Indigenous lineage. Relocating to the United States at age four, she was raised in Colton, California. Von D has one sister and one brother. Beginning piano lessons at six, she developed classical training and is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Her artistic inspiration stemmed from her paternal grandmother, while the cultural environment of San Bernardino County shaped her tattoo artistry. At 12 years old, she became interested in punk rock bands like the Ramones, obtained her first tattoo at 14, and left high school at 16 to embark on a professional tattooing career.
At 15, Von D spent six months at Provo Canyon School, an institution within the troubled teen sector where she reported experiencing abuse. This facility has also been associated with similar claims made by Paris Hilton.
Career
Von D featured in two seasons of Miami Ink, a reality program filmed at 305 Ink in Miami for TLC. She joined the cast after fellow tattoo artist Darren Brass suffered an elbow injury that prevented him from working. A disagreement with Ami James eventually resulted in her exit from the series.
Following this, she created her own TLC show titled LA Ink, which chronicled her tattoo work at High Voltage Tattoo in Hollywood. During the program, she set a Guinness World Record by tattooing 400 individuals within 24 hours to support the Vitamin Angels charity. The series aired for four seasons before concluding in 2011; Von D stated that she opted not to continue.
Her debut book, High Voltage Tattoo, showcasing her artwork and featuring a foreword by Nikki Sixx, was published in 2009 and reached number six on The New York Times Best Seller list. The following year, she released The Tattoo Chronicles, an illustrated journal documenting a year of her life, which attained number three on the same bestseller list.
In 2008, Von D launched a cosmetics line through Sephora, introducing new collections annually and expanding into fragrances. By 2016, she announced that all products had been reformulated to be entirely vegan. The brand also released limited-edition items supporting charitable initiatives such as Project Chimps.
Von D established the MusInk Tattoo Convention and Music Festival in Southern California in 2008, merging tattoo artistry with live music performances. Two years later, she opened Wonderland Gallery adjacent to High Voltage Tattoo and introduced clothing brands KVD Los Angeles and Kat Von D Los Angeles across North America before expanding internationally.
She provided vocals for Finnish gothic rock band The 69 Eyes’ 2012 album X and collaborated musically with artists including Dave Grohl and electronic duo Prayers (duo). In 2018, she narrated the animal rights documentary Dominion, receiving an Award of Excellence for Narration.
Additionally, Von D contributed to three tracks on IAMX’s 2018 album Alive in New Light and appeared on synthwave group Gunship’s album Dark All Day.
On January 16, 2020, Von D sold her beauty company to Kendo Brands (an LVMH subsidiary), which rebranded it as "KVD Vegan Beauty", emphasizing principles of Kindness, Vegan Beauty, and Discovery. In March 2021, it underwent another rebranding to "KVD Beauty," highlighting "Value," "Truth," and "Beauty."
In October 2021, Von D announced that High Voltage Tattoo would close as she relocated with her family to Indiana. By February 2022, she began covering many of her tattoos with black ink.
Controversies
Von D's cosmetics brand encountered significant criticism following the launch of a lipstick called "Selektion," a word linked in Germany to the Nazi-era selection procedures during World War II. The product name was swiftly changed to "Beloved" in response to the backlash. This episode brought attention to other alleged insensitivities; The Forward described her as "anti-Jew." Additionally, Von D faced reproach for naming a lipstick "Celebutard," which Sephora quickly withdrew and issued an apology for.
In June 2018, Von D ignited further debate after declaring on Instagram her intention not to vaccinate her future child and to raise them on a vegan diet. However, by March 2020, she revised her position, acknowledging she had been "completely uninformed" and emphasizing that she is "not an anti-vaxxer at all."
Personal life
Von D ceased alcohol consumption in July 2007 after it began interfering with her professional commitments, reflecting on the challenging withdrawal period and emotional struggles she endured.
Her body art includes tattoos representing bands such as HIM, Misfits, Turbonegro, ZZ Top, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, Kent, Slayer, Mike Got Spiked, and a customized Metallica emblem dubbed "Slutallica." She has appeared in music videos for HIM's "Killing Loneliness," Alkaline Trio's "Help Me," GUNSHIP's "Black Blood Red Kiss," and Prayers' "Black Leather." Among her favorite musicians are Lemmy Kilmister, The Mars Volta, and Selena.
Von D maintained a public friendship with makeup artist Jeffree Star beginning in 2006; she tattooed him and named a lipstick shade in his honor. Their association ended publicly in July 2016 due to concerns regarding his drug use, racial attitudes, bullying behavior, and alleged failure to pay mutual acquaintance B.J. Betts for creative contributions.
By May 2013, Von D resided in Outpost Estates within the Hollywood Hills. By March 2022, she had moved to Vevay, Indiana, living at the Benjamin Schenck Mansion. In March 2023, she sold her Isaac Newton-designed mansion in Van Nuys, Windsor Square, Los Angeles for $7.8 million.
Views
Von D follows a vegan lifestyle, and her former cosmetics line was both vegan and cruelty-free. In recognition of her dedication to animal welfare, she received the "Compassion in Action Award" from Farm Sanctuary in 2016.
Religious beliefs
Approximately one year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Von D embraced Christianity and was baptized in 2023 at the Switzerland Baptist Church located in Vevay, Indiana. In 2024, she became a catechumen within the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Relationships
Von D married tattoo artist Oliver Peck in 2003; they separated and finalized their divorce by 2007. Subsequently, she dated Alex "Orbi" Orbison (2007–2008), Nikki Sixx (2008–2010), and motorcycle customizer Jesse James. She was briefly engaged to James from January until July 2011 before ending the relationship; they reconciled briefly but parted ways again by September 2011.
In September 2012, Von D began a relationship with Canadian music producer Joel Zimmerman (Deadmau5). They split in November 2012 but became engaged following his Twitter proposal in December that year. The engagement concluded in June 2013 amid accusations of infidelity.
On February 21, 2018, Von D wed artist Rafael Reyes. The couple welcomed their son in November of the same year.
Media
Von D receives a mention in the Eagles of Death Metal track titled "High Voltage," which is named after her boutique and appears on the band's third studio album, Heart On. Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal remarked, "That song is for Kat Von D, because she’s truly badass."
Selected filmography
In addition to guest spots and talk show interviews, Von D's acting résumé encompasses:
Movies
| Year | Title | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Bleeding | Portrayed Vanya |
| 2010 | Lemmy | |
| 2018 | Dominion | Provided narration |
Television
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Pimp My Ride | |
| 2007 | American Chopper: The Series | Appeared in 1 episode |
| Bam's Unholy Union | Featured in 2 episodes | |
| 2005-2007 | Miami Ink | |
| 2007-2011 | LA Ink | |
| 2008 | Free Radio | Single episode appearance |
| MADtv | One episode role | |
| Denise Richards: It's Complicated | Appeared once | |
| The Cho Show | One-time guest | |
| Allez à L.A.! | ||
| I Love the New Millennium | ||
| Bam Margera Presents: Where the ♯$&% Is Santa? | ||
| Anytime with Bob Kushell | ||
| 2009 | E.S.L.: Entertainment as a Second Language | |
| Tony Hawk: Ride | Video game character; unlockable skater | |
| 2013 | I Love Jenni | |
| 2016 | Life in Pieces | |
| 2022 | The Lincoln Lawyer | Role: Poker Dealer |
Studio albums
| Album Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Love Made Me Do It |
|
| My Side of the Mountain |
|
EPs
| Title | Year/Details |
|---|---|
| Exorcisms |
|
Singles
| Year | Song Title |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 'Exorcism' |
| 'I Am Nothing' | |
| 'Enough' | |
| 'Fear You' | |
| 2022 | 'Fotos y Recuerdos' |
| 'Lovesong' | |
| '2023' | 'Vampire Love' |
Collaborations and other releases
| Year | Track Title | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 'Rosary Blue' | 'The 69 Eyes' featuring Kat Von D |
| 2017 | 'Black Leather' | 'Prayers' featuring Kat Von D |
| 2018 | 'Stardust' | 'IAMX' featuring Kat Von D |
| 'Stalker' | 'IAMX' featuring Kat Von D | |
| 'The Power and the Glory' | 'IAMX' featuring Kat Von D |
| Year | Track Title | Details |
|---|
| 'The Boy Inside the Skeleton'
Heaven Process featuring Kat Von D and Prayers |
| 'Creatures (Out of Tune)'
Heaven Process featuring Mark Burgess, Kat Von D, Prayers, Chelsey Boy |
| 'Time Stands Stil'
Heaven Process featuring Kat Von D |
| 'Heaven Below (Descending)'
Heaven Process featuring Kat Von D |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|
| 'Black Blood Red Kiss'
Gunship with Kat Von D |
| 'This Murder Takes Two'
The 69 Eyes feat. Kat Von D |
| 'Whispers End'
Dance with the Dead feat. Kat Von D |