Yuliana Betancourt

What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo is a peony. I chose it because it represents strength, healing, and beauty that grows through difficult seasons. Just like the flower, I’ve learned to stay soft in a hard world, to bloom even when life gets heavy. It’s a reminder that there’s power in being gentle, and that real beauty comes from growth, resilience, and staying true to your light.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could speak, it would say she’s been through a lot but turned every moment into something beautiful. It would tell stories of healing, strength, and growth. It would remind me to stay grounded like my Buddha, to bloom like my peony, and to embrace the contrast of life like the skull with flowers. My ink would speak with honesty, softness, and light. It’s a reflection of my soul, my journey, and the strength in staying true to myself.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’d use the $25,000 to create a tattoo-inspired Airbnb in my hometown of Puerto Rico — a space where art, healing, and culture meet. I’d invite admired tattoo artists to collaborate and decorate the home with their work, making it a living gallery. My goal is to inspire visitors to own their stories through art, while showcasing the beauty, resilience, and authenticity of both ink and island life.