Elena Yakovleva’s son and the tattoos controversy: social reactions and personal choices

Elena Yakovleva’s son, Denis Shalnykh, drew attention by getting tattoos that depict notorious figures Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. He shared this on the Kadoni Show, a program broadcast on RuTube, explaining his decision in his own words. He said the choice wasn’t about admiration for the subjects but about provoking a reaction from society and watching public perception unfold in real time. When people encounter him with visible portraits on his skin, they often assume he is a loser—an impression he sees as a social feedback loop that fuels his ongoing experimentation with identity. He also noted that the fascination with Dahmer and Bundy’s biographies had drawn him to certain moments from their lives, emphasizing that his interest lies more in the human narratives than in endorsing their crimes. Over time, his mother, Elena Yakovleva, spoke about her wishes to remove the tattoos from her son, citing his maturation and a desire to rectify youthful choices. Yet discussions from a few years earlier suggested that fully removing all facial tattoos could be impossible for some individuals due to how their bodies heal and respond to removal methods. She has indicated that she would like to see changes to his appearance, including reducing the coffin-like shape on his face, in hopes of a softer, less stark expression. The conversation around body modification then extended to other perspectives on skin treatment. On Instagram, Ekaterina Fedina—who is known to criticize certain corporate positions and has faced bans in some jurisdictions—shared a demonstration of a laser procedure aimed at removing ink. She explained that Denis chose not to erase every tattoo because of variations in how his body reacts to the treatment. The broader discourse surrounding Denis’s tattoos touches on personal autonomy, the social risks of provocative body art, and the evolving possibilities of cosmetic interventions. In related remarks, it was noted that a public figure named Timur Rodriguez had previously discussed reasons for appearing less frequently in films, a reminder that celebrity personas and personal choices about appearance can shift over time and in response to audience expectations. [Source: Kadoni Show, RuTube]