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Follow UsCanadian artist and model Rick Genest, popularly known as the Zombie boy, passed away on Thursday afternoon. The Canadian Zombie boy was found dead in his house at Montreal. Reports suggest that the model committed suicide.
The famed Zombie boy came into the front pages of stardom when he was featured in Lady Gaga’s video ‘Born This Way’. The demise of the tattoo boy has left many personalities of the glamour world, including Lady Gaga in utter shock and grief.
Lady Gaga took to twitter to talk about the suicide of Genest and also raised concerns regarding mental health issues.
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The suicide of friend Rick Genest, Zombie Boy is beyond devastating. We have to work harder to change the culture, bring Mental Health to the forefront and erase the stigma that we can’t talk about it. If you are suffering, call a friend or family today. We must save each other. pic.twitter.com/THz6x5JlpB
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 3, 2018
Science tells us that it takes 21 days to form a habit, if you are suffering from Mental Health issue I beckon for today to be your first day or a continuation of the work you’ve been doing. Reach out if you’re in pain, and if you know someone who is, reach out to them too. pic.twitter.com/4pVR5xyoH6
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 3, 2018
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A not so happening start
The Zombie boy was born in the Montreal borough of LaSalle, lived in the off-island suburb of Châteauguay and has spent a very crucial time of his life living on the streets. The first tattoo was inked to his body when he was 16. Genest left his home the following year.
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Escaping Death
At the age of 15, Rick Genest was diagnosed with brain tumour. There were no certain chances on whether the young boy would live or die. This diagnosis triggered his obsession with morbid and macabre and as soon as the boy was treated, Genest gifted himself his first tattoo. The first ever tattoo to be inked on the zombie boy was ‘a skull and crossbones’ on his left shoulder.
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The Tattoo Addiction
Once initiated, the tattoo addiction became a never-ending game. As time flew by, Genest got a complete body suit and a full facial tattoo of a skeleton-style face and a zombie-like brain. By the time he was 21, he had his hands covered, a spiderweb in his ear and tattoos on his neck.
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The Guinness Book of World Records
Rico, the Zombie boy, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the greatest number of bones tattooed on his body. Genest has a total number of 139 human bones tattooed on his body, reproducing part of his skeleton.
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Welcome to the Stardom!
Bizzare magazine were the first to do a photo shoot of Rick under the title ‘Zombie boy’, which glued with him for the rest of his life. Once a stranger walked up to him and offered to do a photoshoot at his place. Genest was broke and took the offer, which ended up in a few small fashion magazines. This was the beginning when Rico’s stars started showering glamour on the famous Zombie boy. The photoshoot was followed by a whirlwind modelling trip. What came next was purely a dream shining bright, when Genest got a chance to feature with Lady Gaga in her ‘Born This Way’ video.
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The Saddened demise
Rick Genest passed away at the age of 32 on August 2, 6 days before his 33rd birthday. According to the reports, Zombie boy killed himself, dealing with a depression.