Lady gaga has mourned the death of Rick Genest, a.k.a. Zombie Boy, in a post on Twitter.
She described the death as “beyond devastating”.
Rick died outside his home in Montreal after he fell from his third-floor balcony. He had told his girlfriend that he was “going for a cigarette” before the accident occurred.
Rick’s nickname came from the skeletal and internal organ tattoos on his face and body. He had once been the face of Jay-Z’s Rocawear label as well as appearing in Vogue Japan and modelling for French fashion designer Thierry Mugler.
https://twitter.com/ladygaga/status/1025171911138004992
The model and actor had appeared in Lady Gaga’s Born This Way music video in 2011. Gaga posted pictures from this video shoot on Twitter along with a message about mental health.
She wrote:
“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.”
She follows this up with a photo of herself and Rick, along with more encouragement to fans to continue their fight against mental illness, whether it be their own or someone else’s.
https://twitter.com/ladygaga/status/1025173295539335169
“[I]f 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.”
