'Ink Master: Turf War': Jerrel Larkins's canvas Nathan who was bullied for his helmet gets support from fans
Tonight's episode of 'Ink Master: Turf War' is making viewers cry and for good reason. The flash challenge saw specially-abled canvases in their protective gear arrive on the sets. The tattoo artists were tasked to paint their helmets in a way that would highlight their composition skills.
As the canvases shared their stories, everyone had tears in their eyes. Later, the contestants sat with them to understand their situation better and to get a grip on what they were expecting to be drawn on the gear.
Nathan, Jerrel Larkins' canvas, is a 16-year-old boy who has had 40 surgeries and the first time he wore the helmet, a bunch of kids bullied him to the point where he went hysterical.
Jerrel assured him he was awesome and the strongest person he had ever met. The finished product had a basketball hoop and a label that read "warrior," which was in line with Nathan's bold, brave spirit.
Host Dave Navarro and judge Oliver Peck announced that even though everyone is a winner, Bob Jones' work stood out and therefore, he won the challenge. Jerrel may not have emerged victorious, but his canvas Nathan and his story won hearts on social media.
"These guests may have physical deficits but bullies have deficits in their moral character. I couldn't have picked a favorite or a more inspiring flash challenge!," a viewer tweeted.
Another shared: "I have one disability which I can't drive because I have no peripheral vision but I was bullied in 8th grade however I just ignored the bully and stayed positive #InkMaster so the beginning of this episode brought tears to my eyes."
"Goddamn man, how much of a despicable person do you have to be to pick on a 16-year-old, all because they have a helmet that protects him? F**k them, bullies. That kid is gonna have an awesome future and those bullies will eat his dust," a viewer posted.
"Remembering middle school and high school, some kids just think being cool means making someone feel small or making ppl laugh. My worst years were 7th-10th grade. Unfortunately, there will always be a*****s in life," another shared.
Catch all the new episodes of 'Ink Master: Turf War' on Paramount every Tuesday.