Check our exclusive interview with internationally published tattoo artist, that has been featured in multiple tattoo magazines the talented Romeo Lacoste.
Romeo was recently on Best Ink season 3 which aired in Oxygen in the US as well as different channels worldwide. Romeo has tattooed many celebrities and has established himself on Instagram with over 1 Million followers. Romeo recently opened his own tattoo shop in LA called The California Dream.
Romeo also has a full time Youtube career. After moving to LA and tattooing some of the biggest youtubers. Romeo started his own channel and after only a year had already gotten 500k subscribers. Romeo is well known for his “out of the box” tattoo videos and challenges such as “the tattoo pain game” and Disney produced Tattoo Roulette.
Hi Romeo, please tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a tattoo artist in Los Angeles, California who specializes in micro tattoos and work on many celebrities!
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Loves Harry Potter
Who was your role model as a child?
I don’t think I had many as a child. I would say now tho my role model is Elon Musk. As an entrepreneur and visionary I look up to how driven and all he is accomplishing.
How’s a typical day in your life?
I usually sleep in till about 10am, do emails a lil in the morning. Work out. Go to the tattoo shop around 2:30. Do some fun tattoos till 10pm. Go out or do some crazy adventure. And go to bed around 4 am! Typical day!
When did you start tattooing, what was your background and which was the main reason force behind the choice?
I have been an artist my whole life. ever since I was like 9 years old. I used to watch cartoons in the morning and draw the cartoons as O watched them or do portraits in school. Then when I was 17 I was a big fan of the rock music scene and thats what kind of pushed me in the direction of tattoos.
What makes LA so special for tattooing?
I dont think LA is special in a sense. I just think its a big city. Like any big city there is a huge market for it. A lot of celebrities live there and the competition is high. All those things makes it fun and exciting! And a lot of room to grow!
And how this city influences your work?
I dont really let people or things influence my work. I just sort of do my thing and let it go with the flow. I dont follow many artist, I try to have my own style and not let other artists influence me. I just try and do things that will impress the fans.
What are your favorite subjects to tattoo?
My specialty is fine line single needle micro tattoos. Those are also my favorite, it just sort of happened over time. I def love and have a passion for how small and detailed I can make it and try and do things no other artists can.
Now about your micro tattoos, where the idea came from?
I’m not sure exactly. I’ve always had a passion for fine linework and have been good at it. Tho’ I mostly did larger pieces. I remember seeing a tattoo online somewhere that was small and I remember thinking that I could of made it smaller with still the same amount of detail, so I did a couple of them and posted them on my Instagram. They went viral and soon after I was doing more and it sort of became my thing.
Now tell us about your YouTube series “Tattoo Roulette”?
I started my YouTube channel about 2 years ago and no one was doing tattoo videos on YouTube. So I was thinking of cool creative ways I could go viral and do outside the box videos. So I came up with a few series. “Tattoo Pain Game” and my most recent one “Tattoo Roulette” how that works is YouTube or fans come on the show and do various challenges for a chance to win a tattoo they want or if they lose a tattoo picked out by me or my co-host. It’s very exciting and you never know how the show will turn out!
How often do you post videos?
I post usually once a week or once every 2 weeks. I post as often as I can while balancing multiple business and a full time tattoo career
Also we know you are very popular with celebrities. Can you tell us some of the ones you have worked with and also if is there any celebrity you would love to work your art on them?
Most notably known for tattooing Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. I’ve also tattooed many other celebrities such as the Dolan Twins, Rae Shremmurd, Mike Posner, and many more you can see on my Instagram and website.
Where is your studio?
The California Dream tattoo in North Hollywood!
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
Not sure if a single person has. But I would say all of my life experiences have steered my life in the direction it is. I’m deff a huge fan of Elon Musk I would say hes my role model.
What is next for Romeo Lacoste?
i got alot of big things in the works. Working on a possible TV show. More celebrities, more YouTube videos, more awesome tattoos!
And also expanding the tattoo studio and hiring great artists.
Who is your favorite Actor/Actress? And why?
I’m not sure, I don’t watch a ton of movies. I really like Jonny Depp. Huge fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Any advice to new tattoo artists?
Work hard and never slow down because there’s always more and more competition so you have to be ahead of the curve.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 year?
I’m hoping to expand the studio to a bigger location as were constantly growing our clientele and hiring new members to our team!
What was the last book you read?
I’m currently rereading all the Harry Potter series, there’s a new version with art by Jim Kay so it’s cool to read and see more art illustrated in between the pages. Deff would recommend.
How do you stay fit?
I try and work out a couple times a week. I also do regular visits to the chiropractor and get massages, you’d be suprised how much it helps until you actually get it and see a difference. Much needed because of how I have to sit when I tattoo.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I’m vegan but I eat lots of vegan junk food. Fav place to eat is Veggie Grill. It’s vegan but tasted just like real meat.
And your favorite cheat food?
Not sure on cheat food. I try and stay pretty healthy.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Every year I visit Tokyo in april and Canada in July. I’m not sure where id like to go next. I think somewhere tropical would be awesome. I would take my girlfriend and my brother with me. I always take them everywhere I go.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to play video games a lil, go surfing, snowboarding, my 2 favorite things to do fur sure. And of course take part in intellectual conversations with friends about science and life.
What do you like to watch on Tv?
I’m a big anime fan. I watch alot of anime, I like Stranger Things also, oh and Shark Tank! Great show as well!
Do you support any charities?
I’m not currently taking part in any charities but I do love to devote time for troubled teens. Growing up I had a hard life as a teenager. Parents going thru a divorce and we didnt have much money. Dealt with depression. So for me I have a strong passion for being there and helping kids that are going thru tough times.
What do you think of Social Media for your business?
If you’re not using social media for your business in todays age you’re deff wayyyy behind. Social media is the #1 factor in if your business will be successful to not. It’s just the way its, what I used and it has made all the difference for me.
Best advice ever given?
I dont know about best advice ever given but something I strongly live by: “anything in life is possible if you want it bad enough” that has changed my life and has pushed me to make my dreams come true.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Hanging out by the beach or pool, surfing or swimming. Just enjoying life and relaxing. Can’t beat that really. Oh and doing a BBQ.
What’s your favorite music?
Right now I listen to a lot of Drake and The 1975 prob my 2 fav ever. Really get my in the groove and in my feels.
Where we can follow you?
You can follow me on instagram @RomeoLacoste and on Youtube.com/RomeoLacoste thanks!
