Viral videos are a dime a dozen these days, but back in 2012, they were still relatively novel, often springing up organically from the depths of the internet. One such sensation that year was the now-infamous “Butthole Tattoo Girl” video, a clip that spread across the web like wildfire, sparking reactions ranging from shock to amusement. As a content creator immersed in the tattoo world at tattooat.com, I’ve seen my share of extreme body art, but this particular story, involving an unexpectedly placed Asshole Tattoo, remains a fascinating case study in internet virality and human behavior.
At the time, I was working as a music editor for a local publication, always on the lookout for engaging video content. My colleague, Jacob Katel, and I found ourselves at the South Florida Tattoo Expo, armed with a camera and a mission to capture interesting stories. We were initially there to film a different interview, but fate had other plans. Suddenly, a woman approached us, asking if we wanted to see her tattoo. Before we could fully process the question, she lifted her skirt, revealing an asshole tattoo, freshly inked and undeniably attention-grabbing. My initial reaction was surprise, even a bit of horror. It wasn’t exactly the kind of body art one expects to encounter unexpectedly in a hotel lobby. However, the crowd around us was clearly entertained.
It turned out this woman, Maria, was getting her asshole tattoo covered up with another design. Jacob, ever the journalist, recognized the story immediately. He navigated us through the growing crowd of onlookers to get closer and urged me to interview her while the cover-up was in progress. Despite my initial hesitation, the journalistic instinct took over, and I approached Maria for an impromptu interview. To my surprise, she was enthusiastic and seemed to revel in the attention.
After a brief interview, as I was about to leave, Maria asked for my name. Embarrassed that I hadn’t introduced myself, I told her, “Liz!” and asked for hers in return. “Maria,” she replied, “like in West Side Story.” This simple comparison humanized the situation in a way I hadn’t anticipated. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about a shocking asshole tattoo; it was about Maria, a person seeking attention and perhaps connection in her own unique way. While I initially assumed she was under the influence, Maria later admitted in a follow-up interview that she had consumed “ten shots of Jäger” before getting the tattoo. Her on-camera exclamation, “It feels so good!” only added to the video’s sensational nature.
The video exploded online. It was 2012, and the internet was captivated by this raw, unfiltered moment. The “Butthole Tattoo Girl” became an overnight sensation. The video landed on Real Time With Bill Maher, Comedy Central, MTV, and countless blogs and news sites. BuzzFeed even declared the butthole tattoo incident the “number one insane thing to happen in Florida” that year, quite a feat considering the infamous “Miami Zombie” incident also occurred in 2012.
For a brief period, I experienced a taste of internet fame. People recognized me, and the video became a defining moment in my early career. It sparked reflections on the nature of fame itself. Could this be the thing I was remembered for? Was that a good thing or a bad thing? These were the questions swirling in my mind as the video continued to rack up views. Returning to the tattoo convention the following year with Jacob felt surreal. We were greeted like minor celebrities, embraced by the tattoo community.
Looking back five years later, as the Miami Tattoo Arts Convention approached again, the “asshole tattoo” video remains a significant, albeit unusual, moment. It highlights the unpredictable nature of virality and the human desire for attention. Maria’s willingness to display such a provocative tattoo, coupled with her unexpected “West Side Story” reference, created a perfect storm of internet fascination. While some might view an asshole tattoo as shocking or distasteful, it was undeniably Maria’s choice, a form of self-expression, however unconventional. The video’s success, in part, stemmed from a non-judgmental approach. The interview wasn’t mocking; it was simply documenting a moment, allowing Maria to tell her story. Jacob’s editing skills further shaped the narrative, crafting a compelling and shareable piece of content.
The legacy of the “asshole tattoo” video is complex. It’s a reminder that fame can be fleeting and often comes from the most unexpected sources. It also raises questions about exploitation and the line between documenting reality and sensationalizing it. However, Maria herself seemed to embrace the attention, even appearing on Tosh.0 and getting engaged to someone she met online. Ultimately, the “Butthole Tattoo Girl” video is more than just a shocking clip of an asshole tattoo; it’s a snapshot of internet culture in its early viral days and a testament to the enduring human desire to be seen, even if it’s for something as unconventional as an asshole tattoo.
