Zyzz Was the Original Looksmaxxer. His Rise and Untimely Death Feel More Relevant Than Ever

Aziz Shavershian, better known as Zyzz, was a once-shy and skinny teenager from Sydney, Australia who transformed himself into a fitness icon through relentless dedication to his physique. After moving from Russia as a young boy, he immersed himself in bodybuilding, spending countless hours at the gym and engaging with fitness communities online. Zyzz's transformation and newfound confidence led him to develop an online persona that was sharply different from his real-life personality.

This persona, a brash raver who posted videos of himself flexing and engaging with viewers on platforms like Bodybuilding.com and 4chan, quickly made him an Australian celebrity by 2010. He became a global sensation, despite his untimely death at just 22 years old in Thailand. His life and tragic end is the central focus of the new documentary, Poster Boy: Becoming Zyzz, now available on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Poster Boy is more than just a tale of a young man chasing fame at all costs; it also delves into the digital forces that produced Zyzz and how his instincts for navigating a new media landscape anticipated a generation of masculinity influencers. The film portrays Zyzz as a cautionary tale, offering insights into the impact of his rise and death on Australian millennials. His legend continues to resonate today, prompting questions about why his story has had such a profound effect on men.

Zyzz's online persona was built on values of inclusion and mutual support for men seeking self-improvement. However, he also thrived on conflict, often responding to insults and maintaining fake social accounts to amplify online disputes. His rhetoric became increasingly homophobic and misogynistic, reflecting the darker side of his online presence.

Despite his bravado, Zyzz struggled psychologically with the pressures of fame, using steroids and Xanax to cope with the stress and paranoia that came with being idolized in public.

As the documentary reveals, Zyzz was at the cusp of a lucrative manosphere economy, reportedly earning around $20,000 in the final months of his life. While he inspired many with his transformation, his methods became increasingly extreme, including the use of performance-enhancing drugs like clenbuterol. Poster Boy leaves the viewer to decide the extent to which Zyzz served as a template for modern influencers like Andrew Tate, a controversial misogynist who is currently facing charges of rape and sex trafficking.