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Reality show star will flex muscles, sign autographs in Janesville

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Ryan "Matsuflex" Matsunaga

JANESVILLE — Ryan "Matsuflex" Matsunaga has found fame as a tool.

That's tool as in, "That guy's a tool," not tool as in Black & Decker.

On Friday, May 29, Matsuflex—that's what he wants to be called—will appear at Hollywood Tan, 2510 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville.

Matsuflex first came to public attention on VH1's "Tool Academy," a reality show in which long-suffering women try to get their boyfriends to treat them better.

Here's how the VH1 Web site defines tools: "They parade through dance clubs, preening and posing while they bestow a great gift on womankind—themselves. They live in their own little world where your spray-on tan defines you, muscles are the new black and no woman, especially your girlfriend's best friend, is off limits."

The obvious question, of course, is why these men still have girlfriends.

To get them to enter the Tool Academy, the women tell their boyfriend they'll be competing for the title of "Mr. Awesome—America's ultimate Alpha Male."

This surprises none of the guys.

Matsuflex, to his credit, made it through eight rounds of "Tool Academy" and was runner-up, losing to an anemic-looking guy named Josh.

By the time the show ended, Matsuflex had established the "Matsuflex Revolution" complete with T-shirts and Web site.

He's become a commodity in his own right, appearing at Las Vegas openings, dance clubs and beach parties.

In each case, he mingles with the crowd, gives an inspirational speech, poses with shockingly well-endowed women and has a lot of fun just being Matsuflex.

Ryan Skinner, owner of Hollywood Tan, met Matsuflex in Las Vegas and immediately was enchanted.

"I was extremely impressed with how he interacts with the crowd and even takes command of the microphone and gives long-winded (but humorous) speeches regarding his Matsuflex Revolution speech and general positive attitude towards life, " Skinner wrote in an e-mail to the Gazette.

This, Skinner thought, is what Janesville needs.

"I want Janesville to have some fun," Skinner said.

What will Matsuflex do while in Janesville?

Well, he'll probably be shirtless; he'll probably flex his muscles, and he'll definitely find some way to have fun—that's his modus operandi.

People can meet Matsuflex, get his autograph, soak up his energy and possibly get spray-tanned by the great man.

He'll also be giving away prizes from a variety of local business and judging contests.

Hollywood Tan will be offering free tans all day.