I am sure you have heard of them, the walking dead, the zombies. Flesh falling off there limbs, drained of blood, intellectually dull and hungry for brains – a walking dead horror story phenomena. But have you seen one or met one? Would you really want too? Looks can be deceiving, I had the pleasure of interviewing a Mr Rick Genest a.k.a. Rico the Zombie. This zombie art collecting gentlemen is full of heart, phenomenal inner strength (he survived a brain tumor at age 15), and intelligence to boot. With the majority of his body covered in ink inspired by the rotting corpse, you may know him as ‘Zombie boy,’ a Canadian artist and tattoo clad fashion model.
Aadie Suicide: Where did you grow up?
Rick Genest: From the ground, from the grave; alive with no pulse but a craving for brains. Growing up happened in different places and in different ways. I loved spending the better half of my time keeping it in the streets of Montreal.
AS: How do you like to spend your free time?
RG: Getting high on rooftops and low under bridges. Telling jokes and lighting smokes.
AS: Do you have any pets?
RG: My shadows were twin sister and brother Rottweiler cross German Sheppards, Skullz and Bonez. When they passed, I became more involved in circus…I recently gave away my 8 foot Albino Boa, Lucifer, due to excessive traveling and lack of time for her.
AS: What did you want to be when you where little?
RG: I do believe I did become what I wanted to be. I still want to creep more in horror movies, as well as freak more at sideshows. Asides from these things, I would like to spend more down time on taxidermy projects.
AS: If you weren’t the Zombie Boy that you are today, what career path would you be on and why?
RG: I always thought that zombies could do anything. Just more dead-ish.
AS: I understand your artwork is a tribute to the horror movie genre, what is your favorite director and film?
RG: There are so many masterpieces, it would be hard to choose. Ultimately, Tobe Hooper’s 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
AS: What was the first horror movie you can recall seeing and how old where you?
RG: The earliest I can remember, Tremors, was the first to traumatize me. But it was The Adams Family and Batman that got to me first. As for comic books, Morbius The Living Vampire and Ghost Rider were my favorites.
AS: When you were 16 you got first Tattoo; What was it?
RG: My first tattoo was an outline of a Jolly Roger, but instead of a skull, a living zombie’s head.
AS: You were featured in Lady Gaga’s music video for “Born This Way.” How did that come about?
RG: As an illustrated man, street busker, and performing artist, I had not been a stranger to photography. Being tattooed as a living skeleton, I found work easily that way. I’ve preformed in stage shows, carnivals, landed small parts on TV, worked once as a talent on a movie named Carny staring Lou Diamond Philips. I worked at a pirate themed bar and often get stopped in the street for pictures. I had already been published in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Bizarre, and National Geographic, as well as others. One afternoon, a man named Ludo stopped me in the street and offered me a sum to model one afternoon for a fashion magazine named Dressed to Kill. This was the shoot that got the attention of Nicola Formichetti. Thierry Mugler is the brand name that Nicola Formichetti hired me to work for, and soon after, he offered me an appearance in Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way” video. I love showbiz, and it makes it so much more fun when you get to work with positively charged people like Gaga. She is one down cat – passionate about what she does, very head on earth, and treats everyone with respect.
AS: What is the general reaction you get from people who see you in public? Positive, negative or mixed?
RG: Most people can tell I’m just a tattooed man, but, previous to working with Gaga, often authority figures, the old fashioned, the elderly, and the upper class, would be quick to judge.
AS: Have you had to cover up any work you no longer favored or just to complete the art of the rotting cadaver? And if so, what was it?
RG: Many years ago I got my hyena head- Baphomet covered with a biohazard symbol.
AS: Since GaGa’s discovery of you, you have kind of exploded. How does that feel?
RG: I have a lot of work to do and Gaga gave me the chance to get things done. If any of you creeps out there are reading this, I’m the right monster for the job!
AS: Are you enjoying your new found fame?
RG: I have always loved entertainment and have been entertaining since I first discovered I could pick my nose. I’m grateful I’ve still got blood left.
AS: I saw a video clip of makeup artists completely covering over your tattoos. When you looked in the mirror, what was that like for you? How did that feel?
RG: The job was fun, and the people’s reaction funnier. I love practical jokes!
AS: You have your own Character Figure! That for me is basically one of the highest honors. What was that like for you?
RG: I have been turned into a metal statue and also a wax statue. Honestly, I was waiting for a downsized plastic guy. He is very well made; I thank the good people at Tonner.
AS: Any words of wisdom for people who have never had a tattoo but are thinking of getting one?
RG: Chewing gum helps with the tough spots.
AS: Do you have anything else you would like to say?
RG: Stay fresh or smell bad J
Photos by Colin Singer. For more info visit RickGenest.com/.
