Zyzz

Zyzz

I started this project wanted to explore recreational image and performance enhancing drug use. So I googled “Australia steroids”. I found Zyzz on the first page of results. I had never heard of him before. His popularity and impact, even though it had been years since his death, blew me away.  

So I thought ‘I’ll spend a year looking at the place of image and performance enhancing drugs in the community of Zyzz fans’. I did this, and the results are described here: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27768997

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJbk3CiV8dM

But within minutes of starting my research I could see there was MUCH more to Zyzz than alleged drug use*. 

In this project I attempt to answer the question: ‘why is Zyzz popular and what impact does he have?’. It didn’t take me long to realize that the answer is very complex. 

But it didn’t take me long to realise that a year was not long enough, and that there was much more to this community. 

Body ideals and display 

I am currently putting together my ideas about the particular aesthetic ideal that Zyzz represents, and the ways that bodies are displayed in the Zyzz fandom. I welcome input one these issues. 

Relations between men 

I am currently thinking about how men relate to each other (aka ‘homosocial relations’), in the Zyzz fandom. I think Zyzz role-modelled somewhat revolutionary homosocial relations. My preliminary thoughts on this are presented in this video which discusses the two dominant forms of masculinity in the Zyzz fandom: the alpha and the sick c**t. I welcome feedback. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGolMiq_Siw&t=146s

The popularity and impact of Zyzz is complex, and that the year that I thought would be enough was nowhere near. My quest for understanding is ongoing. If you are a Zyzz fan, or have a perspective on Zyzz fans, please talk to me. 

* All Zyzz fans that I have talked to during my research believe that Zyzz took image and performance enhancing drugs, so regardless of whether he did or not it was of interest to investigate their idolization of someone they identify as a drug user.