In today’s world, most people have the freedom to express themselves in various ways (within reason).
While there are exceptions, individuals can generally explore trends, hairstyles, clothing, and other forms of self-expression more openly than ever before in history.
This is a positive development: no one should face persecution for their choice of attire or personal decoration, and no one should encounter stigma or condemnation for choosing a specific piercing or tattoo (as long as it isn’t hateful or deliberately provocative).
That being said, whether we acknowledge it or not, there are boundaries to what most of us are willing to accept regarding body modification and self-expression. One individual, 35-year-old Anthony Loffredo, might have pushed those boundaries.
Whenever Anthony goes out to eat or take a stroll, he attracts the attention of nearly everyone he encounters. Reports indicate that he struggles to even secure a job interview, let alone a position; taxi drivers refuse to pick him up, and some places won’t even allow him inside.
Why is that, you might wonder? It largely stems from his quest to transform into a character he refers to as the “black alien.”
While the most adventurous among us may be satisfied with extravagant tattoos, unconventional piercings, or bright, unnatural hair colors, Anthony Loffredo from France has set his sights much higher. He has undergone a nose amputation, had both ears removed, tattooed his eyeballs and skin black, split his tongue, filed his teeth, and surgically removed two of his fingers.
Additionally, he has burned demonic symbols into his flesh and implanted horns under his skin to enhance his monstrous appearance.
According to the Daily Mail, Loffredo, a former nightclub bouncer, claims he is only 65 percent done with his planned modifications. One future procedure involves amputating one of his legs to replace it with a biomechanical limb.
Reflecting on his body before starting these surgeries (the number of which he has lost track of), the 35-year-old shared with the UK’s Channel 4 last year: “Yes, [I was] happy, but not in the right body. It [wasn’t] my body, my real body.”
In an interview with the Club 113 podcast, he remarked, “I’m fascinated, it fascinates me — everything, the human body.
“[My look is inspired by] a bit of everything, because no one knows what is out there.”
Despite his unconventional look, Loffredo states that his parents eventually became supportive of his choices after an initial shock. Additionally, he has found love; it was revealed last December that he is dating model and tattoo enthusiast Melina Shakur.
Loffredo often travels to other countries for specific procedures that are illegal in his home country. According to the Daily Mail, these surgeries have taken place in questionable underground clinics and tattoo shops, where he received general anesthesia.
However, according to recent reports, the member of the extreme body modifications community stated earlier this year that he doesn’t plan to undergo any further procedures for now.
“Right now, I am going to focus on something real,” he stated in Spanish, “not more on how to live life.”
Additionally, he and his girlfriend, Melina Shakur, have even talked about the possibility of Loffredo having some of his tattoos removed.
Regardless, we wish him all the best in the future. His appearance is certainly unique, and while it may be unconventional— to say the least— the most important thing is that he feels content.
