Top Stories· August 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Poster Boy: A Documentary Explores the Rise and Fall of Fitness Influencer Zyzz
Key takeaways
- Zyzz was an Australian fitness influencer who rose to fame in the early 2010s
- His life and death are the focus of a new documentary titled Poster Boy
- The film explores Shavershian's transformation from a shy teenager to a brash internet personality
The life and death of Aziz 'Zyzz' Shavershian, an Australian fitness influencer who rose to fame in the early 2010s, is the focus of a new documentary titled Poster Boy. The film, now available on Apple TV and Prime Video, delves into Shavershian's transformation from a shy teenager to a brash internet personality, while also examining the digital forces that shaped his meteoric rise and eventual downfall.
Shavershian's chiseled physique and online persona, which he developed on platforms like Bodybuilding.com and 4chan, made him an international celebrity by 2010. However, behind the bravado, Shavershian struggled with stress, paranoia, and addiction, leading to his death in Thailand at the age of 22.
Director Selina Miles sees Poster Boy as a cautionary tale, noting that Shavershian's story continues to resonate with many people. The documentary features archival content and interviews with Shavershian's friends and family, including his older brother Said 'Chestbrah' Shavershian, a professional bodybuilder.
The film explores how Shavershian's methods for gaining fame and fortune anticipated the current influencer economy. While he promoted values of self-improvement and mutual support, he also fed off controversy and used social media to amplify his brand. His rhetoric turned homophobic and misogynist, and he took dangerous substances like clenbuterol to enhance his physique.
Poster Boy raises questions about the impact of digital media on masculinity and the potential risks associated with fame and self-promotion. It leaves it up to the viewer to decide the extent to which Shavershian served as a template for contemporary influencers like Andrew Tate, who is currently facing charges of rape and sex trafficking.
The documentary also delves into Shavershian's final days, revealing that he traveled alone to Thailand in July 2011 and underwent multiple facial surgeries. His cause of death was acute respiratory failure brought on by a combination of morphine, cocaine, and benzodiazepines.
