Roosh

Roosh Valizadeh, commonly known as Roosh, is an American author and blogger who became a prominent figure within the pickup artist movement in the 2000s. He founded the website RooshV.com and the RooshV Forum, where he published dating-advice articles and travel writings. His Bang book series—beginning with Bang: The Pickup Bible That Helps You Get More Date—brought him wide attention and solidified his role as a leading voice in online dating culture.

Roosh's writings and public statements provoked extensive controversy. Critics described his work as misogynistic and harmful to women, while supporters argued it promoted free speech and personal responsibility. The movement and RooshV forums faced platform bans, protests, and organized opposition, and several of his events and appearances were canceled in various countries.

In the mid-to-late 2010s Roosh shifted away from explicit pickup content and began focusing more on travel writing and broader cultural commentary. He has described changes in his approach and, in later years, publicly distanced himself from his earlier dating-advice activities. Roosh remains a polarizing figure in discussions of masculinity, dating culture, and the online manosphere.