Her viral Olympic performance transformed her into one of the year’s most recognised memes. So, it’s no surprise that Rachael Gunn is once again taking to social media to share her side of the story. The break dancer, better known as “Raygun,” became an overnight sensation following her unconventional Olympic routine, which left the internet buzzing. However, the post-Paris fame hasn’t been without its challenges. From merchandise controversies to misunderstandings about her iconic moves, Raygun has faced a whirlwind of public scrutiny. Most recently, the spotlight has been on “Raygun: The Musical”, an unauthorised production inspired by her viral performance.
In an attempt to reclaim the narrative – on her terms – Raygun’s latest Instagram reel is addressing the the controversy head-on. “The first we heard of it was last Friday when it was a story in the Sydney Morning Herald and on Channel 7 news,’ says Raygun. “We were totally blindsided by this,” she says. “And, unfortunately, the blow back was quick.” According to Raygun, the news triggered an immediate backlash. “People assumed that we had developed it, that we had approved it and it damaged many relationships, both personal and professional. So this is why my management and legal team had to work so quickly to shut the musical down.”
Raygun’s management and legal team acted swiftly, leading to the musical’s abrupt cancellation just days before its scheduled launch. Acknowledging the hard work that likely went into the production, Raygun expressed regret over the situation. “It was really unfortunate that the show had to be cancelled so close to the launch. I know the artist would have put a lot of work into it and that really sucks. But had we known about it sooner, there could have been a different outcome.”
While the internet buzzed with opinions about Raygun’s decision, she clarified that her actions weren’t about stifling creativity. “I really do strive to support creativity and have loved the ways my performance has sparked so many different artistic interpretations. And there were so many – whole folder of them on my phone. So not being able to take a joke is not what the issue is here.”
In addressing accusations of greed, Raygun emphasised, “This has also never been about the money. I have been contacted to go on just about every reality TV show out there. And, I’ve declined. Big money because I’m not some of the misinformation.” Instead, her decision to trademark her name and the now-famous kangaroo silhouette pose stemmed from a more protective stance. “We were notified that there were applications from other parties trying to trademark my name and image for commercial purposes – I mean, totally wild.”
Misunderstandings about her viral “kangaroo dance” also drew Raygun’s attention, particularly claims that it appropriated Aboriginal culture. Raygun set the record straight, explaining, “It in no way mimics Aboriginal dance. It was instead inspired by the Australian Olympic mascot, BK, the boxing kangaroo. And, I wanted to represent and celebrate that spirit.” She apologised for any unintentional offence caused. “I know that this misinformation about the kangaroo dance has upset many members of the Indigenous community, and I’m sorry for that.”
The experience has been a crash course in navigating fame for Raygun, who was virtually unknown just months ago. She urged her followers to approach online narratives with caution: “Please remember that just because you hear or read something about someone on social media, that doesn’t mean it’s the full story or even that it’s true. Remember also that there is a person behind all this with a family, with friends, and who until a few months ago, nobody had even heard of.”
With her signature mix of humility and resilience, Raygun signed off her video with a heartfelt message. “I’m really just trying to do my best to navigate this new chapter of my life. So thank you for watching and for your understanding and, I hope, continued support.”
