In a world where many people pursue extreme self-expression to feel more aligned with who they believe themselves to be, Anthony Loffredo’s transformation stands out. There are many extreme tattoo enthusiasts and body mod artists, yet his transformation stands apart because of the clarity of his conviction and his fixation on embodying something non-human, something alien. He now describes himself as being “71%” through his evolution into a “Black Alien,” a living project that has captivated and unsettled millions who follow each stage of his transformation.
Who is the man behind the ‘Black Alien ’ project?
Anthony Loffredo is a 37-year-old French social-media figure known globally for extreme body modification. Before this path, he worked as a nightclub security guard and looked indistinguishable from anyone walking past you on the street. Short dark hair, brown eyes, unaltered features. Today, almost every inch of his skin is tattooed in black ink. He removed his ears, his nostrils and even part of his nose. His teeth are sharpened and tinted purple. His tongue has been split down the middle, forked like a snake’s. Subdermal implants along his skull and arms create raised ridges across his skin. He has amputated two fingers, leaving a claw-like silhouette to his hand. His Instagram page, Black Alien Project, serves as both documentation and personal commentary. He occasionally posts comparison photos of himself in his twenties versus now, the contrast is almost unrecognisable. In one caption, he wrote:“Men used to call me crazy; but science has not yet taught us whether madness is or not the sublime of intelligence… if all that is deep does not come from a disease of thought.”He has also acknowledged that his appearance draws judgement. In a 2023 Channel 4 documentary, he said he is regularly confronted or stared at. The Frenchman described the difficulties he faces in everyday situations, even simple acts like sitting for a drink on a terrace or trying to call an Uber. Drivers sometimes refuse to stop for him. He says he is denied entry into certain restaurants and faces major obstacles when trying to find work, as many employers will not hire him based on his appearance alone.
What drives someone to become a ‘Black Alien’?
When asked why he has taken body modification to such an extreme, Loffredo has been consistent. Speaking to El Periódico in 2021, he said: “Because it’s something very personal that I feel.” He explained that becoming the “Black Alien” helps him feel aligned with his inner identity: “It feels very good. It makes me feel more like myself. I compare myself to those that were born in a body that wasn’t theirs.” He has also spoken about his fascination with extraterrestrial life, saying: “My questions about life… Why are there only humans on Earth? Why isn’t there something more? Because it’s something that fascinates me: the extraterrestrial world. It’s something that really captivates me.” In the Channel 4 documentary I Transformed Myself into an Alien, he commented on his relationship with others and solitude: “I’m alone since I was little.” It appears that, for him, the transformation isn’t shocking or grotesque, it is self-realisation.
His transformation journey , and what may come next
Loffredo began modifying himself at age 26. His first major step was splitting his tongue. From there, procedures escalated:
- removal of ears
- partial removal of nose and nostrils
- removal of upper lip
- amputation of fingers and toes
- subdermal implants
- full-body black ink
He once considered amputating half his leg, but later indicated he may have abandoned the idea, as he has recently posted videos of himself running and doing football tricks with both legs. One commenter responded in relief: “Thank goodness he didn’t amputate his leg I heard that’s what he wanted to do crazy.” As for how far he will go, he hinted at future modifications, including even the possibility of splitting his penis, but he hasn’t confirmed whether those plans are active or abandoned. For now, he labels himself at “71%” complete. There is no public roadmap explaining what 100% looks like. Perhaps he doesn’t know yet himself. He has said that his transformation is “a personal evolution and an aesthetic improvement.” His livelihood now comes from modelling, brand content and video work tied to his image. And the lingering question is one shared by his followers: If 71% looks like this, what will 100% look like?
