Oliver Peck leaves 'Ink Master' after blackface controversy; Paramount Network weighs in

Oliver Peck is saying goodbye to "Ink Master" following 13 seasons after photos emerged of the TV personality in blackface.

"The producers and I have decided it’s best to part ways," Peck said in a statement, provided to USA TODAY by "Ink Master" spokesperson Rachel Villegas. "The offensive photos of me which recently surfaced from many years ago can only be a distraction to the amazing show I have loved being a part of and its many talented artists."

In a company statement to USA TODAY, Paramount Network condemned the images but praised Peck for apologizing and taking responsibility.

Peck has served as a judge on "Ink Master" alongside musician Dave Navarro and tattoo artist Chris Núñez since the show premiered in 2012. A replacement has not been named. 

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The photos of Peck stirred backlash on Twitter when they emerged last week. TMZ reported on the photos Thursday, noting Peck donned blackface on multiple occasions for different Halloween costumes. In one of them, Peck appears to wear dark face paint, a wig and the letter "N" on his chest.

"I hope @paramountnet has NOTHING more to do with him!!!!!" wrote Twitter user @MsSMoss Thursday.

"Oliver peck in black face? If you’re surprised you’re not paying attention," wrote user @TomatoSandwichh. "Ink master has always been incredibly racist to the dark skin clients and even the artists. So many of them 'don’t want the dark canvas' and the artists of color are treated like they aren’t as good too!"

User @witchy_woman924 said the photos were taken too recently to "plead ignorance."

"A tattoo artist that I’ve always looked up to had been caught RECENTLY doing blackface," she wrote. "If it was 50+ years ago I feel like you could plead ignorance, but there’s no excuse for doing that (expletive) with the knowledge of black people’s oppression at our fingertips. (expletive) Oliver Peck."

On Friday, the former "Ink Master" judge issued an apology on Instagram for his "completely inappropriate, insensitive, and immature behavior."

"I look at those photos and it's hard for me to believe I could have been so clueless, insensitive and dumb," he wrote. "I hope that I've matured a great deal since then and I'm deeply sorry for everyone I've offended."

It's unclear when the offending photos were tak

Peck added he was "100% wrong" and takes "full responsibility" for the images.

"Those of you that know me know my heart, and I am grateful to my friends, family, colleagues, clients and fans who have allowed me to apologize and learn from this mistake," he continued. "I can only hope that those of you I don't know, and anyone I have offended, can also find it in your hearts to accept my sincere apology."

USA TODAY has reached out to Peck's rep for further comment.

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