Woman at center of TikTok's #TattooGate finally got her fox tattoo

The woman at the center of TikTok's TattooGate has finally got her full-sleeve fox tattoo after the saga went viral.

Courtney Monteith, from Ontario, Canada, took to the video-sharing platform last month to reveal she had spent $2,600 to get an initial sketch of a fox surrounded by leaves and flowers.

She claimed that the rough drawing she received from Lindsay Joseph, of Lucid Tattoos, looked nothing like what she wanted and, after deciding not to go through with it, was refused a refund.

But now Monteith has given an update on the body art debacle and revealed she finally has her 'happy ending' after being inundated with messages from artists offering to do it for free.

Courtney Monteith, from Ontario, Canada, who was at the center of TikTok's TattooGate, has finally got her full-sleeve fox tattoo after the saga went viral

She first showed off the initial outline of the intricate design (left) before then finally giving a glimpse of the finished tattoo (right) in all its glory 

Monteith uploaded a clip on Thursday which has so far been viewed more than 384,000 times.

In it, she documented her progress as she traveled to see award-winning artist Matt Vaught who flew her out to his design studio in Newport Beach, California. 

She first showed off the initial outline of the intricate design before then finally giving a glimpse of the finished tattoo in all its glory.

Monteith uploaded the video alongside a caption that thanked Vaught and added: 'A happy ending!' 

And other social media users who had been following the saga were quick to flood the comments with praise as many expressed relief that the issue had been resolved.

One wrote: 'All is right in the world. So beautiful to see humans being selfless for others. so happy for you!'

Another added: 'Glad you brought this situation to light and we’re able to get what you finally deserved! Excellent job to the artist!'

And a third said: 'The closure we all needed. Thank you for sharing. It is gorgeous!'

And other social media users who had been following her for updates were quick to flood the comments with praise with many expressing relief the issue had been resolved

Monteith first sent the internet into a frenzy after posting a video on May 10 which explained how she had consulted with tattoo artist Joseph and sent her examples after agreeing to upfront fees. 

The sketch turned out nothing like she wanted but the artist wanted more money to change it - ultimately denying her a refund - which left Monteith feeling ripped off. 

The unhappy customer then turned to TikTok to share her nightmare experience, with her first video receiving more than five million views that was later dubbed #tattoogate.

Monteith told her followers that she sent Joseph two photos of what she wanted her tattoo to look like: A full body image of an orange fox surrounded by different plants or butterflies.

Joseph agreed and Monteith booked a consultation with her for a non-refundable fee of $180. 

Monteith first sent the internet into a frenzy after posting a video on May 10 which explained how she had consulted with tattoo artist Joseph and sent her examples after agreeing to upfront fee 

She wanted a full sleeve tattoo on her arm of a fox surrounded by leaves and flowers (above), but what she got was a rough drawing that she said looked nothing like what she wanted 

During the consultation is when Joseph explained her other fees - which social media users said were red flags. 

The first option was to pay $1,500 for a concept sketch to which she could request one change, a second option of $3,500 to have a few changes, or $6,000 for multiple sketches, reviews and changes, all plus tax. 

Monteith settled on the first option, forking over $2,695, remaining 'confident' that Joseph would design a beautiful piece for her. 

But things started to go wrong for Monteith when received the first sketch of the fox tattoo and it wasn't anything like what she asked for. 

She told her followers that she wanted the full body of the fox like in the reference images she had provided. 

When she emailed the artist for changes, Joseph balked pointing at the price options and the fees she had agreed on. 

Monteith turned to TikTok to share her nightmare experience, with her first video receiving more than five million views that was later dubbed #tattoogate

Lindsay Joseph, of Lucid Tattoos, has since made her accounts private after reportedly getting flooded with bad reviews and death threats after the ordeal

She explained that she would have to pay the difference between option one and option two — which was an extra $2,260.

'She said it was my fault that I wasn't clear that I wanted a full fox,' Monteith said. 'I don't know how much clearer I could have been.'

The artist also reportedly emailed Monteith explaining that a tattoo of a full fox would've looked like the animal was 'scooting when they get an itchy back end.'

A disappointed Monteith gave up on her fox tattoo and asked for a refund. To her shock, Joseph refused. 

'No. I'm not refunding you anything, I have given you options of moving forward, I have been kind, patient, and have fulfilled my duties to you this far,' she wrote in a screenshot Monteith shared.

'If you don't want to move forward, that is your choice, but I'm not giving you my time, expertise, and creativity for nothing.'

Monteith booked a consultation with Joseph for a non-refundable fee of $180 and then Joseph explained her other fees - which social media users said were red flags

When Monteith posted her story on TikTok, some social media users pointed out red flags that were apparent from the beginning.

'I'm 70 per cent covered in ink,' one person wrote. 'I've never had an artist charge for a concept or a consultation. RUUUUN!!'

There was also backlash against the tattoo artist as people flooded Google with bad reviews. 

Joseph, who set her social media accounts to private, told Insider that she had also received death threats because of the ordeal, including messages 'telling me my children should die, my mother should get cancer, the list goes on.'

Several other people shared similar experiences across the country as part of the hashtag #tattoogate.