Joaquin Explains His Hobo Makeover

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posted: 174 DAYS 23 HOURS AGO

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(Feb. 9) - Joaquin Phoenix's extreme makeover is as deliberate as it is bizarre. The Oscar-winning actor tells reporters that his new look -- usually comprised of wild beard, unwashed hair and sloppy clothes -- is all part of his plan to exorcise the "sex symbol" from his public persona.

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Joaquin Phoenix Snapshots

Joaquin Phoenix performs at the LIV nightclub at the Fountainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Fla., early Thursday, March 12, 2009 for a Belvedere 1X Party. Phoenix jumped off the stage during the short performance and confronted an audience member who was heckling him. Security guards dragged him back on stage and escorted Phoenix away. (AP Photo/Seth Browarnik) ** MAGS OUT, NO SALES **

** RECROPPED VERSION OF NY115 ** Joaquin Phoenix performs at the LIV nightclub at the Fountainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Fla., early Thursday, March 12, 2009 for a Belvedere 1X Party. Phoenix jumped off the stage during the short performance and confronted an audience member who was heckling him. Security guards dragged him back on stage and escorted Phoenix away. (AP Photo/Seth Browarnik) ** MAGS OUT, NO SALES **

*** FILE *** Actor Joaquin Phoenix poses for a portrait in Beverly Hills Calif., on in this Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009 file photo. Phoenix jumped off the stage during a short performance at a Miami Beach nightclub early Thursday morning March 12, 2009 and confronted an audience member who was heckling him. Security guards dragged him back on stage and escorted him away. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Actor/musician Joaquin Phoenix arrives at LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on March 11, 2009 in Miami Beach, Florida. Joaquin Phoenix Performance At LIV Nightclub - Arrivals LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Miami Beach, FL United States March 11, 2009 Photo by John Parra/WireImage.com To license this image (56957677), contact WireImage.com

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MIAMI BEACH, FL - MARCH 11: Joaquin Phoenix arrives at LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on March 11, 2009 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joaquin Phoenix

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"It's been important for me to just do something that's extreme -- that really separates me from that public Joaquin Phoenix persona, whatever the f--k that is."

He has another idea as to why he's let himself go: "Maybe I'm just lazy."

In a chat with the Associated Press, the actor adds that his appearance is also about distancing himself from Johnny Cash, whom he portrayed in 'Walk the Line.'

"I'm not going with a look. Part of it is in some ways, it's very hard, especially when you're talking about music, to get away from Johnny Cash," he says. "In some ways, I'm aware that I need to kind of, I need to alter that persona. I need to alter my public persona in some ways so that people are going to be open to receiving me for what it is that I'm doing now ... .

"I don't know that this is my look ... I mean, I just have a beard."

The actor has in recent weeks launched a rap career that many believe is an elaborate hoax and, moreover, meant to be the subject of a documentary by Casey Affleck. He's insisted publicly that his clumsy shuffle to music (our readers have dubbed him 'Young Pheezy') is sincere. Actually, 93% of PopEater voters polled recently indicated they never believed Phoenix was being serious.

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Young Pheezy on the Mic

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