From Olympic Cringe to Control: The Raygun Evolution

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From Olympic Cringe to Control: The Raygun Evolution
OlympicsBreakdancingRachael Gunn
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This article explores the trajectory of Rachael Gunn, Australia's representative in the inaugural Olympic breakdancing event. It begins with her awkward performance, which went viral for all the wrong reasons, and follows her journey through public scrutiny, commercial success, and a recent controversy involving a comedian's tribute show. The piece critiques Gunn's shift from a relatable underdog to a figure seemingly focused on control and silencing criticism.

From where I sat, high in the rickety bleachers of the Olympic breaking stadium in Paris on that hot August day, Rachael Gunn ’s performance didn’t look that bad.

She answered questions gracefully, with a quiver in her voice and a startled look in her eye. Over the next few weeks, as vicious, unfounded and misogynistic allegations flew at her and the global humiliation intensified, I was on team Raygun. A dancer from a sub-culture defined by its freedom, rebellion and creative generosity was now trying to control other artists. It suggests grasping rather than grace.In the lead-up to Paris, Gunn was a media curiosity. The sport formerly known as breakdancing, born in the Bronx 50 years ago and with a brief, much-mocked moment in the cultural mainstream during the 1980s, was making its Olympic debut.

There’s no guide to navigating oneself out of a global pile-on. Perhaps Gunn figured she couldn’t erase her global infamy, so she might as well make a buck from it.

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theage /  🏆 8. in AU

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