Tattoo artist, entrepreneur, and former reality TV star Kat Von D has taken another public step in her spiritual transformation—announcing she officially joined the Orthodox Church this past Pascha (Easter).
In a heartfelt July 2 Instagram post, the 43-year-old mother of one shared a video montage of her European tour, highlighting her visits to Orthodox liturgies and historic churches across multiple countries. Her young son accompanied her on the journey.
“It brings me joy to share some of the beauty of Orthodoxy within these sacred (and historic) places with you,” she wrote. “Whether you are Orthodox Christian or not.”
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Von D’s spiritual awakening became public in 2022 when she shared a video throwing away books on witchcraft and the occult. She was baptized as a Christian in 2023. A video of her baptism—where a pastor proclaimed, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”—went viral, drawing both praise and criticism.
Despite being a public figure, Von D has chosen to keep many details of her faith journey private—at least for now.
“Since officially entering the Orthodox Church this last Pascha, many of you have lovingly asked to hear more about why I converted from Protestant to Orthodoxy,” she wrote. “And after speaking about it with Archpriest Father Steven, he strongly (and wisely) encouraged me to refrain from going out and doing any public interviews … until after at least a year.”
“Regardless,” she added, “I never want to ‘hide’ where I am, spiritually speaking. But I am OK in waiting until I am better equipped to represent the Church that I love so much.”
Kat Von D’s conversion has not been without its challenges. Some Christians have criticized her past and even her appearance.
“It was just really sad to see this critical display of judgment from Christians,” she once shared. “And I don’t understand what would inspire that aside from something that’s more egoic — because that isn’t Christlike.”
But Von D has remained steadfast in her desire to follow Christ, even as she admits she’s still learning.
“I don’t really feel equipped to be the poster child for Christianity,” she said. “I think that I’m still learning.”
In a separate interview, she acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with being a public believer: “Being public with my faith puts you into this microscopic, critical tank. So, I get criticized from all sides now. I don’t care because at the end of the day, my relationship’s with God, not you.”
Now, she’s using her platform to model her new faith quietly. On tour, she visited Orthodox churches in every country she passed through, thanks to Archdeacon Joseph in Warsaw, who helped her locate parishes and carve out time for prayer.
She’s also changed her appearance, covering tattoos that no longer align with her beliefs. “It’s the biggest part of my life that I most of the time keep to myself and loved ones,” she wrote.
Her update ended with a simple, ancient Orthodox prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”