THE RETURN OF HIT REALITY COMPETITION SERIES "INK MASTER" TO PREMIERE WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7, EXCLUSIVELY ON PARAMOUNT+

Artist-Entrepreneur Joel Madden Joins as New Host, with Industry Icons and Tattoo Experts Ryan Ashley, Nikko Hurtado and Ami James as Judges

Former Host Dave Navarro Returns as "Master of Chaos"

August 5, 2022 - Paramount+ today announced that the return of the hit reality competition series INK MASTER will premiere exclusively on the service Wednesday, Sept. 7 and roll out internationally where the service is available. Additionally, it was also announced that Joel Madden, lead vocalist for the pop/punk band Good Charlotte and co-founder of music companies Veeps and MDDN, will join the series as host, with former INK MASTER winner Ryan Ashley, celebrity tattoo artist Nikko Hurtado and industry veteran Ami James serving as judges.

In the new season of INK MASTER, hosted by artist, entrepreneur and culture enthusiast Madden, legendary fan-favorite artists return to compete in the ultimate tattoo competition. The artists will battle it out and face some of the biggest, most exciting and epic challenges seen in the history of the competition, all for the biggest grand prize yet: $250,000 and the title of "Ink Master."

From MTV Entertainment Studios and Truly Original, the 10-episode season also introduces three new judges: Ryan Ashley, the first female tattoo artist to win INK MASTER (season eight); Nikko Hurtado, one of the world's best color realism artists; and Ami James, a well-known Japanese tattoo specialist and entrepreneur with almost 30 years of experience. Former host Dave Navarro returns to the series as the "Master of Chaos," introducing crazy twists and game-changing bombs to the competition.

The legends will need to prove they possess the high level skills that sets an Ink Master apart: composition, precision, color theory, finesse, stamina and endurance. With stakes higher than they've ever been, a single misstep could send them home and, in the end, only one artist will walk away with the title.

INK MASTER is executive produced by Glenda Hersh, Steven Weinstock and Andrea Richter. Benjamin Hurvitz, Jessica Zalkind and Tim Palazzola serve as executive producers and Donny Hugo Herran as executive in charge of production for MTV Entertainment Studios.

About Paramount+

Paramount+ combines live sports, breaking news and a mountain of entertainment. The premium streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. The service is also the streaming home to unmatched sports programming, including every CBS Sports event, from golf to football to basketball and more, plus exclusive streaming rights for major sports properties, including some of the world's biggest and most popular soccer leagues. Paramount+ also enables subscribers to stream local CBS stations live across the U.S. in addition to the ability to stream other live channels: CBSN for 24/7 news, CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis and ET Live for entertainment coverage. For more information about Paramount+ and Ink Master, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlus and @InkMaster on social platforms.

About Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios

Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios is one of the preeminent youth media companies in the world that connects with global audiences through its nine iconic brands - MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Pop, Logo, Smithsonian, Paramount Network and TV Land - as well as MTV Entertainment Studios which produces acclaimed series and movies and the award-winning, Oscar nominated MTV Documentary Films.

About Truly Original

Truly Original creates a broad range of nonfiction programming for television and streaming platforms. Run by Emmy(R) Award-winning producers Glenda Hersh and Steven Weinstock, who serve as Truly Original's co-presidents and CEOs, the company is a subsidiary of Banijay. Truly Original's robust roster includes The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Real Housewives of Potomac, The Real Housewives of Dubai, Family Karma, Ink Master, Would I Lie to You?, Kandi & The Gang, Basketball Wives, Swamp People, Summer House, Winter House, and The Last Cowboy with executive producer Taylor Sheridan. For more information visit trulyoriginal.com.