British singer Yungblud posted a series of suggestive photographs to Instagram on Sunday that prompted renewed attention from followers and commentary online.
The 28-year-old, born Dominic Harrison, shared a photodump from his week that included multiple shirtless images — some wrapped in a towel or wearing low-slung jeans — and at least one image in which pubic hair was visible. In another black-and-white shot, the singer was photographed with what appeared to be a cigarette tucked into his underwear. The gallery also contained a picture of Yungblud licking a friend’s head and a photograph with on-again, off-again partner Jesse Jo Stark. He captioned the post, "The road with my best friends."
The social-media post came a week after Yungblud drew attention at the MTV Video Music Awards, where he joined Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry for photographs and briefly appeared onstage. Observers noted his animated expressions and a moment in which he exposed his armpits while posing with the rock legends. Backstage at the UBS Arena, he was photographed in additional unconventional poses with members of the band.
At the ceremony, Yungblud performed a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died July 22 at age 76. The singer wore black leather pants and matching boots, accessorized with gunmetal-coloured jewellery and a gunmetal belt buckle. He arrived on the red carpet wearing a black leather sherpa jacket, which he later removed for a shirtless display.
Yungblud has spoken publicly about his relationship with Osbourne, saying they formed a close bond after meeting in 2022. He told The Times that learning of Osbourne’s death was "overwhelming" after being cut off on an island without internet while recording new music. "I told a friend that I thought Ozzy had another five albums in him. And then he did the show and then he died. It's so overwhelming," he said. Holding back tears, he added, "I just love him and right till the very end he supported me. I get emotional, because I've loved him since I was about two. He taught me self-belief and so I'm going to take his spirit and make sure everybody knows for the rest of my life who Ozzy Osbourne was - he meant everything to me."
The singer also reportedly gave a reading at Osbourne’s funeral and performed at a farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park in June. Those appearances, along with his VMAs tribute, followed public accounts of a close, mentor-like relationship between the two artists.
Reaction to Yungblud’s Instagram post was mixed on social platforms, with some followers expressing concern after his VMAs appearance and others defending his right to post provocative material. The photodump added to a week in which his public profile was heightened by both the televised tribute and the behind-the-scenes images with established rock figures.
Representatives for Yungblud did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Yungblud emerged in the late 2010s as a genre-blending performer known for outspoken views and theatrical stage presence. His recent activities — from the VMAs spotlight to social-media posts — reflect a pattern of leveraging high-profile collaborations and viral moments in support of his music and public persona.