The brief life and sudden death of Zyzz
4 hours ago
- Zyzz (Aziz Shavershian) was a 2000s Australian fitness influencer known for his bodybuilding videos and provocative online persona, using early trolling and rage-bait tactics.
- He died unexpectedly in 2011 at age 22, sparking widespread speculation and conspiracy theories among his global audience.
- A new documentary, 'Revealed – Poster Boy: Becoming Zyzz', directed by Selina Miles, reveals the true cause of his death: acute respiratory failure from a drug interaction (morphine, cocaine, and benzodiazepines), not a heart attack in a sauna.
- The documentary traces Aziz's background as a Kurdish-Russian immigrant in Sydney, his struggles with fitting in, and his escape into bodybuilding culture and online communities.
- Aziz was a savvy marketer who used tactics like a fake Facebook page to build his brand, but he also faced significant online hate and personal insecurities, leading to substance use for social anxiety.
- His brother Said reflects on Aziz's character, noting his internal kindness despite the public persona, and believes he would have pursued a more positive path than current looksmaxxing influencers.
- The documentary serves as a cautionary tale, especially after recent deaths of other looksmaxxing influencers, aiming to foster more curiosity and empathy for young men like Aziz.