Van Johnson. If you watched VH1 during the mid-2010s, you know the name. He wasn’t just a face on a screen; he was the Chicago powerhouse with a temper as sharp as his tattoo needles. For years, fans watched him navigate the chaotic hallways of 9Mag, but then, he just... wasn't there anymore.
People still ask. They want to know why Van from Black Ink Crew Chicago actually walked away from the franchise that made him a household name. Was it the drama? Was it Ryan Henry? Or was it just the inevitable reality of reality TV burnout? Honestly, it was a mix of all three, seasoned with a healthy dose of legal trouble and personal growth that the cameras didn't always capture fairly.
The 9Mag Blueprint and the Van Johnson Era
To understand why Van matters, you have to look at the early days of Black Ink Crew Chicago. It wasn't like the New York spin-off. It felt grittier. 9Mag was built on a foundation of brotherhood—or at least, that was the sales pitch. Van Johnson was a "day one." He helped establish the shop's reputation as a premier spot for high-end ink in the Midwest.
He was the "Grand-Hustle" guy. His style was bold, much like his personality. While Ryan Henry was the face and the "boss," Van often felt like the heartbeat of the shop’s street credibility. But that dynamic is exactly what caused the friction. You can't have two kings in one shop, especially when one of them feels like he’s being sidelined in the edit.
Drama sells. We know this. But for a professional artist, the drama started to overshadow the art. Van's portfolio is actually insane—his realism work and ability to saturate color on darker skin tones set him apart long before the cameras started rolling. Yet, most fans remember him for the blow-ups. That’s the "Reality TV Curse." Your talent becomes a footnote to your latest argument.
Why Van From Black Ink Crew Chicago Left the Show
The exit wasn't a single event. It was a slow burn.
If you go back to Season 6, the cracks were turning into canyons. Van’s relationship with Ryan had deteriorated to a point of no return. There’s a specific kind of hurt that happens when you build a business with friends and then realize you’re just an employee in their narrative. Van felt he deserved more respect for his role in the 9Mag legacy.
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Then there was the 2021 incident.
Van was involved in a legal situation that complicated his filming schedule and his public image. For a while, his social media went dark. Rumors swirled. Some people thought he was done for good. But Van is a survivor. He shifted his focus away from the VH1 cameras and back toward his own brand, Chicagoland Tattoo.
The Chicagoland Transition
Walking away from a steady TV paycheck is terrifying. Most reality stars cling to the fame until they’re forcibly removed. Van did the opposite. He realized that the "Van from Black Ink" persona was limiting "Van Johnson the Entrepreneur."
He leaned into his own shop. He started focusing on his clothing line, Chicagoland. He started prioritizing his daughter, who fans saw grow up on the show. Life became less about "what will the producers think?" and more about "how do I keep my legacy intact?"
The Truth About the "Fake" Feuds
Let's be real for a second. Reality TV is structured. It’s not "fake" in the sense that the people aren't real, but the situations are often manufactured for maximum stress. Van has been vocal about how the pressure of the show affected his mental health.
When you're Van from Black Ink, you're expected to be the aggressor. You're expected to be the loud one. If you have a quiet, productive day at the shop where you just do great tattoos and go home to your family, the producers have nothing to air.
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- The fights? Often real emotions triggered by planned "surprises."
- The business disputes? Usually rooted in real ego clashes.
- The "betrayals"? Frequently amplified by a filming schedule that forces people together who shouldn't be in the same room.
Van’s departure was essentially an act of self-preservation. He chose his peace over a "villain edit."
Where Is He Now?
If you check out his current work, it’s clear he hasn't lost his touch. He’s still tattooing. He’s still deep in the Chicago scene. But he’s also expanded into the "lifestyle" space.
Van Johnson today is a different man than the one who threw chairs in the early seasons of 9Mag. He’s more calculated. He’s more business-oriented. He’s a mentor to younger artists who are trying to navigate the same traps he fell into.
He didn't just leave a show; he outgrew it.
The most impressive part of the post-show journey? He didn't let the "Black Ink" brand define his ceiling. He used it as a floor. He took the platform, gathered the following, and then redirected that energy into ventures he actually owns. 100%. No production company taking a cut. No editor making him look like the bad guy.
The Legacy of Van Johnson on 9Mag
Looking back at the series, Van’s impact is undeniable. He represented a specific era of Chicago tattooing—one that was unapologetically black, fiercely competitive, and incredibly skilled. He helped prove that a tattoo shop could be the center of a cultural movement.
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Even though he and Ryan had their public fallout, the history they built is still there. You can’t tell the story of 9Mag without Van. You can't tell the story of the rise of Black tattoo culture on television without mentioning his name. He was the catalyst for some of the show's most memorable moments, both good and bad.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Artists
If you’re an artist or an entrepreneur looking at Van’s career, there are some very real lessons to take away from his trajectory.
First, protect your brand. Van eventually realized that being a "TV personality" was hurting his reputation as a "Master Artist." If your side hustle starts to damage your primary craft, it’s time to re-evaluate.
Second, ownership is everything. The reason Van survived leaving the show is that he had his own shop and his own merchandise. He wasn't entirely dependent on the VH1 checks. If the show disappeared tomorrow, he still had a chair and a needle.
Lastly, don't be afraid to pivot. Van changed his environment to change his outcome. Sometimes you have to leave the room that made you famous to find the room that makes you successful. He’s proof that there is life after reality TV, provided you have the talent to back it up.
The era of Van from Black Ink might be over in terms of new episodes, but the career of Van Johnson is clearly just entering its second act. He’s still the Grand-Hustle. He’s just doing it on his own terms now.