She’s stepping away from the stage. Breakdancer Raygun has announced her retirement after facing what she described as “really upsetting” backlash following her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 37-year-old dancer, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, spoke candidly about her decision during an interview on Australia’s “The Jimmy & Nath Show” on Tuesday.
“I’m not going to compete anymore, no,” Raygun said, her voice carrying a mixture of resignation and relief. “I was planning to keep competing, for sure, but it feels really difficult now to approach a battle after everything that happened.”
The criticism stemmed from Raygun’s Olympic performance, which was part of the inaugural breaking competition. Her unique routine, which included hopping like a kangaroo, spinning on her head, throwing her arms in the air like a windmill, rolling on her shoulders, and reaching for her toes while lying on her side, drew a significant amount of negative attention after she failed to score any points in the competition.
Raygun reflected on the toll the backlash took on her, admitting that she still loves to dance, just not in the public eye. “I still dance, and I still break. But now it’s just in my living room with my partner,” she said. “It’s been really upsetting. I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was.”
Social media users were quick to pile on after her Olympic routine, with some even mocking her moves. One user compared her performance to the dance moves of actress Julia Stiles in the 2001 film “Save the Last Dance.” The post read, “I want Raygun, the 36-year-old Australian breakdancer possessed by the spirit of Julia Stiles in ‘Save the Last Dance,’ to know that I am now her biggest fan and she should never stop doing whatever it is she’s trying to do.”
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Even comedian Rachel Dratch joined in on the criticism, spoofing Raygun’s performance during an August episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The parody, while intended as humor, only added to the negative spotlight on Raygun.
Despite the harsh criticism, Raygun has received her share of support as well. She reached the pinnacle of her career when she became ranked No. 1 in the world by the World DanceSport Federation. However, the accolades weren’t enough to shield her from the weight of public scrutiny.
Following the backlash, Raygun took to social media to express her appreciation for those who supported her through the challenging time. In an emotional video message, she addressed her fans and detractors alike.
“Hi everyone, Raygun here. I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me,” she began. “I really appreciate the positivity, and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives, that’s what I hoped.”
She continued, “I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating.”
Raygun’s decision to retire marks the end of an era for her as a competitive breakdancer. While her Olympic journey may not have ended in the way she envisioned, her love for dance remains undiminished.
As she steps away from the competitive spotlight, Raygun will continue to dance—not for the judges or the cameras, but for herself, in the comfort of her own home, where she can find the joy that first drew her to breaking all those years ago.
