Plea as Lady Gaga mourns ‘Zombie’

FOLLOWING the death of her Born This Way video co-star Rick Genest, Lady Gaga has urged people suffering mental health problems to seek help.

In a series of tweets, the pop star, right, paid tribute to Rick, 32, the heavily tattooed model and artist who became a star in his own right.

“The suicide of friend Rick (left), aka Zombie Boy, is beyond devastating,” 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. Reach out if you’re in pain, and if you know someone who is, reach out to them too.”

Gaga, 32, also encouraged

her followers to sign up to her charity, the Born This Way Foundation.

Rick was found dead in his apartment in Montreal, Canada, from an apparent suicide on Wednesday.

In a 2016 interview, Rick revealed he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour aged 15 and had been told he could die or be left disfigured.

He admitted this led to his obsession with the morbid and despite the operation being a success, at age 16 – after running away from home – he pursued his interests in tattoos and body modifications.

He said: “I became addicted to tattoos and now have a complete body suit, minus my privates, and a full facial tattoo of a skeleton-style face and zombie-like brain.”