A TikTok famous tattoo artist responded to backlash from firing his apprentice: 'She knows exactly why I had to let her go'

• A TikTok-famous tattoo artist addressed growing criticism about firing his apprentice.
• Matt Vaught said he had to let Jenna Grace go for reasons he didn't share.

A TikTok-famous tattoo artist addressed a backlash that had been building since firing his apprentice from her job.

Matt Vaught, who has 1.2 million followers on the platform, shared a video on Tuesday where he said he wanted to "address the news that had exploded on TikTok."

Vaught had been working with an artist called Jenna Grace, who grew a following for her cute designs and persona as the "blueberry apprentice," at his studio based in Newport Beach, California.

On Monday night, Grace announced she would no longer be working with Vaught. She said he pulled her aside the previous week and told her it "wasn't going to work out anymore" with him being her mentor.

(California's at-will employment law means bosses can fire people any reason, or no reason at all, as long as it isn't discriminatory.)

"It was totally unexpected, and I've had a very emotional couple of days processing it," Grace said. "But I wanted to come online and be honest and give you guys an update and let you know I'm not going anywhere."

Grace said she was grateful for everything she had learned with Vaught and his colleagues over the past few months, and that she was "so committed to this career."

She said she had learned the process of getting an apprenticeship was hard, and her content was likely going to be shifting as she hunted for a new one.

"I just want you guys to know I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to be sharing the steps along the way," she said. "I just ask that you like, you comment, and you share my video, and get it out there to other artists so that I can get in front of as many people as possible moving forward."

Her video exploded, amassing 2.2 million views.

People who had been following Grace's journey posted messages of support in the comments, telling her not to give up.

"I don't know why they would let you go when you've built them so much exposure," on person wrote.

"I absolutely thought this was a joke," wrote another. "You are amazing."

Vaught's videos were also flooded with questions from followers demanding answers, and speculating about the reasons for Grace's departure.

On Tuesday, Vaught decided to respond.

"It's with a heavy heart and a lot of deliberation that I had to let Jenna go as my apprentice," he said. "This was not an easy decision."

"The only person I owe an explanation about this is Jenna, and Jenna got that explanation," he said. "She knows exactly why I had to let her go."

He said he wouldn't be stating the explanation publicly because that would be airing Grace's "dirty laundry."

"So for all of you pretending to support her by demanding it, you need to see all you are doing is hurting her chances of moving forward," he said. "As for all the other speculation and mud slinging, I think you guys should try to get your timeline and your facts straight."

Vaught added that he didn't care about followers or "clout" and pointed out that social media in the tattoo industry is merely "a tool."

He also told everyone listening to support Grace with "love and kindness."

"And no, this is not all on Jenna," he said. "A failed student is a failure as a teacher. So I don't take this lightly."

In the video's caption, Vaught said he had "a lot of love" for Grace, and he wanted the best for her moving forward.

"Beyond that, nobody is entitled to any further explanation," he said. "And if you are someone who spews hate on the internet for any reason, you can take your toxic ass down the road #unfollow byeee."

Grace also came online again and asked people not to "harass anybody." She said the colleagues she had met during her apprenticeship had been supportive, and there was "no tea."

"Life just happens, and sometimes things don't work out, or they're not the right fit," she said. "And I have nothing but respect and love for the people that I've gotten to work with."