Rachael Gunn, known by her stage name Raygun, has unveiled a striking transformation, swapping her signature green-and-gold breakdancing attire for a high-fashion look in a cover shoot for Stellar magazine. The Australian breakdancer, who made headlines at the 2024 Paris Olympics, teased her Instagram followers with a “sneak peek” of the shoot, promising the full spread on Sunday.
In the cover image, Gunn dazzles in an electric blue gown with dramatic bell sleeves, paired with sleek black strappy sandals.
The gown, a departure from her typical relaxed, baggy style, accentuates her curves as she strikes a powerful pose with her hands on her hips. Her usual loose, wavy hair is styled into a slick, long braided ponytail, complementing her bold look. Gunn’s bronzed makeup, complete with deep red lipstick, emphasizes her striking expression as she faces the camera with defiant confidence.
The magazine cover features a quote from her interview, which resonates deeply with her recent journey: “You did not bring me down. You did not succeed. I will stand by what I did.”
This message reflects Gunn’s resilience after her controversial Olympic performance, which gained attention not for her score—she didn’t secure a single point—but for her unique moves, including quirky facial expressions, a backward roll, the sprinkler dance, and even a playful kangaroo hop.
Her routine caught the attention of viewers worldwide, including The Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon, sparking mixed reactions and criticism online.
RELATED: Olympic Breakdancer Raygun Addresses Backlash and Cheating Allegations
Following her Olympic appearance, Gunn addressed the wave of backlash she received, taking to Instagram to share her thoughts on her performance and the criticism. “I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating,” she revealed.
“While I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off, preparing for the Olympics, and I gave my all, truly.”
The Australian breaking organization, AUSBreak, also defended her selection, stating that her Olympic placement was the result of a “fair and transparent” audition process.
In her first in-depth interview since the competition, Gunn admitted to Australia’s The Project that she has only watched “little bits and pieces” of her Olympic performance due to the backlash. She expressed feeling as though the experience was surreal, adding, “It kind of feels like a really weird dream that I’m going to wake up from at any moment… Like, what is life right now?”
The academic-turned-breakdancer has announced a break from competitive dancing for now, choosing to focus on the positives that have emerged from her Olympic journey.
Reflecting on her experience, Gunn shared, “I would much rather focus on the positives out of this, the positive responses, and the joy that I brought people… It’s about going out there and just having fun, going as hard as you can, even in the face of losing.”
