Joaquin Phoenix recently made the shocking announcement that he was leaving his film career behind and subsequently began growing a wild, untended beard and letting his brown locks hang long. He also seems to be launching a new career as a rapper.

The actor offered some insight into his new look in The Sun.

“It’s been important for me to just do something that’s extreme—that really separates me from that public Joaquin Phoenix persona,” he explained. His look certainly is extreme. But then the actor-turned-something else added, “Maybe I’m just lazy.”

Many have said the Phoenix career switch-up is all a hoax, part of some sort of promotional effort for a documentary which, it’s said, is being created by Casey Affleck and Phoenix. A lackluster performance given by Phoenix seems to confirm the rumors. By the way, the video of Phoenix falling off the stage is still being bandied about the Internet.