Rick Genest, 32-year-old fashion muse and self-proclaimed “sideshow performer,” has died. While it was widely reported that he committed suicide, his manager has more recently stated that the family believes the cause of death was accidental. Genest was recognizable for his head-to-toe tattoos, especially the one on his face that made him look like a skeleton. Genest started out in his home country of Canada, eventually starring in his own circus show called Lucifer’s Blasphemous Mad Macabre Torture Carnival, and was widely known as Zombie Boy and Rico the Zombie.
He first came into the fashion world’s consciousness when he was scouted via social media by Nicola Formichetti around 2010. The designer tapped Genest to star in a Mugler campaign the following year and cast him in the menswear show. Lady Gaga also hired Genest to appear in her music video for “Born This Way.” The singer shared a heartwarming tribute to her dear friend and collaborator, writing on Twitter, calling his death, “beyond devastating.”
Likewise, Formichetti expressed his sadness via Twitter. “Absolutely heartbroken,” he wrote. “Rest in Power, Zombie Boy. Sending all my condolences and love to Rico’s family and friends.”