A western Sydney teenager whose luxuriant mullet catapulted him to viral internet stardom is suing a host of media outlets for defamation for exposing him to ridicule.

Ali Ziggi Mosslmani, who styles himself "Ziggy", inspired a series of hair-themed memes last year after he was snapped dancing at an 18th birthday party in Hurstville with his now-famous coiffure.

Mr Mosslmani is suing Daily Mail Australia, The Daily Telegraph and KIIS radio in the NSW District Court for a series of articles online and in print that reproduced the image along with a selection of memes.

In a preliminary judgment, District Court Judge Judith Gibson said some of the memes included "photoshopped pictures of the plaintiff showing him on Mount Rushmore, on a dollar bill, as 'pin the tail on the donkey' and as a horse".