'I fight trolls by tattooing their insults on my body – it's good turning hate into ink' – Daily Star

He has become a digital force to be reckoned with. Known as The Internet Sweetheart on social media, this 28-year-old has built a reputation for turning the tables on internet trolls, taking revenge in ways no one else would dare—by tattooing their insults, names, or even loved ones onto his body. With over 12.7 million likes on TikTok before his controversial transition to Instagram, Ethan, from Tampa, Florida, has become an online vigilante, tackling bullies with an unrelenting sense of humour and a permanent commitment to his craft. His recent move to Instagram wasn’t born out of a love for Meta, but out of necessity. TikTok, he claims, has been suppressing his content for months. From hiding his videos from the For You page to removing followers without their consent and even disabling interactions on his posts, the platform made it increasingly difficult for Ethan to reach his audience. Frustrated, he made the leap to Instagram, addressing criticisms from fans who questioned his decision.
“This isn’t political,” Ethan, who likes to use just his first name, explained in a video. “This is survival. If you’re a true supporter, you’ll follow me wherever I go.” By day, Ethan, 28, works at a call center for an AC company. By night, he transforms into a professional troll slayer. “I’m not just clapping back at trolls,” he says. “I’m making a statement. I’m holding up a mirror to their bad behaviour and saying, ‘This is who you are.’”
His journey into trolling began innocently enough. When he first joined TikTok, he was a recovering addict documenting his sobriety journey and showing off his tattoos. But his heavily tattooed appearance made him an easy target for internet bullies. “I wasn’t trying to be controversial,” he recalls. “But the trolls came anyway, with comments like, ‘You’ll never get a job,’ or ‘Your tattoos are hideous.’ At first, I ignored them. Then one day, I clapped back—and everything changed.” Ethan’s first troll tattoo was a name: Gregory. The mother of one of his critics, Rita, had mocked his tattoos, claiming they were shameful. Ethan responded by tracking down Rita’s son on Instagram and tattooing his name on his back.
“I made a video showing the tattoo,” he laughs. “I told her, ‘I have your son’s name on me now.’ She was furious.”
What began as a one-off joke quickly spiralled into a phenomenon. Ethan now boasts a “Wall of Shame” on his back—a collection of troll-inspired tattoos that’s grown so extensive, he’s started expanding to his legs. From the name of a hater’s ex-boyfriend to a Grim Reaper portrait of a troll’s deceased father, no insult is too petty, no tattoo idea too outrageous.
“I’ve spent over $10,000 on these tattoos,” Ethan admits.
“I go to different artists, and they either think I’m a genius or a lunatic. But it’s worth every penny. It’s my way of saying, ‘Think before you type.’” Of course, Ethan’s antics have made him a polarising figure. He’s faced legal threats, death threats, and relentless criticism. His TikTok account has been banned over 20 times, forcing him to rebuild his following from scratch. “People say I go too far,” Ethan acknowledges.
“But these trolls come for me first. If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out.” Not all of Ethan’s troll tattoos have gone over smoothly. In one instance, he targeted a conservative TikToker who had made harmful comments about the LGBTQ+ community.
While Ethan’s tattoo—a humorous depiction of her—was meant to be lighthearted, it led to her receiving threats at her job as an elementary school teacher. “I took the video down because I don’t want anyone to feel unsafe. My goal is to call out bad behaviour, not to ruin lives.”
Ethan’s love for tattoos goes deeper than his trolling antics. After struggling with a 10-year addiction to opiates, he got sober and replaced his substance dependency with a passion for body art. “My first tattoo was at 18, but my real journey didn’t start until I got clean at 26,” he says. “Getting tattooed became a new addiction—but a healthier one.”
Now covered in ink, Ethan has embraced his unconventional appearance. “People used to tell me I looked terrible,” he says. “But I’ve learned to love myself the way I am. If someone doesn’t like it, that’s their problem, not mine.”
With space on his body running out, Ethan is brainstorming new ways to keep his trolling content fresh.
“I’ve thought about making posters or t-shirts featuring the trolls,” he says. “Maybe even a coffee table book of all my troll tattoos. The possibilities are endless.” Ethan also has dreams of turning his online fame into a full-time career. “I’d love to host a podcast or have my own show,” he says.
“Something where I can continue to entertain people while spreading a message of resilience and self-acceptance.” Ethan has one final message for his fans—and his critics. “To the haters: comment at your own risk. I’m not someone you want to mess with. To my supporters: I love you guys. You’ve stuck with me through everything, and I couldn’t do this without you.” As Ethan continues his crusade against online bullies, one thing is clear: love him or hate him, you can’t ignore him. From his ink-covered body to his razor-sharp wit, Ethan is rewriting the rules of internet fame—and having a blast while doing it.
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