Following Entertainment Weekly terming Joaquin Phoenix performing an elaborate ruse, with help from brother-in-law, Casey Affleck, regarding his transition from an Oscar-nominated actor to a career as a rapper, a representative for Affleck says the career switch is for real and no hoax at all.

In a statement to PEOPLE, the spokeswoman says, it should not be difficult to believe Phoenix is interested in a career switch, coming as he does from a musical family, including winning a Golden Globe and Emmy for his portrayal of Johnny Cash. Whatever, the speculation about his motives, whether the reactions are negative or positive, he intends to explore his musical interests.

As for Affleck's documentary on his brother-in-law's change of career, the rep. says: 'Casey intends to document this transition and hopes to create an unprecedented, intimate portrait of a very private yet famous person.'

Joaquin Phoenix, who recently said he was retiring from acting to focus instead on a career in music, made his debut performance earlier this month. Three barely comprehensible raps later, he concluded the performance by falling off the stage.

How did the audience react? There was some clapping at Lavo, the Las Vegas nightclub where Phoenix performed, including some who wondered what was going on. So, we now have everyone wondering whether this is some kind of elaborate ruse, in order to get back at the media, Phoenix has never felt comfortable with.

But, the surprises didn't end there, as next Phoenix surprised everyone with his bearded, bloated appearance at a party last December. His dramatically different appearance, reports of erratic behavior, has some wondering whether he is heading for the same self-destructive path as older brother, the late actor River Phoenix, who died of a drug overdose in October 1993. Collapsing outside the Johnny Depp-owned Viper Room nightclub in Los Angeles, the then-19-year-old Joaquin, who was also at the club along with their sister Summer, called 911 to try and save the life of his 23-year-old brother.

E! Online gossip columnist Ted Casablanca talking to ABCNews. com had this to say: 'Joaquin is definitely on a course right now. I don't know if it's self-destruction or self-derailing. But, he's obviously going through some sort of tortured episode in his life. It's a cry for help. He's obviously a deep guy with some dark reference points. There's obviously a shadow over his life. He's had problems played out on the public stage.'

However, his publicist quashing rumours about Phoenix self-destructing told ABCNews. com, without going into details: 'He is fine and doing his music. When Joaquin has more to say, I'm sure he will.'