Olympic star Raygun gets glam for the magazine cover as she says “I stand by” to controversial, groundbreaking performance

Kathleen William October 25, 2024

“You didn’t bring me down. “You didn’t succeed,” the Australian said of her critics

<p>Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Getty</p>
<p> Raygun competes in the Breaking B-Girls Round Robin Group B bout on day 14 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 9, 2024 in Paris, France. ” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aQV6Mvxpslg3UdOwnDx9Mg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/519dd0751b31cea1b5a 5c58fc1109a2e”/></p>
<p>Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Getty</p>
<p> Raygun competes in the Breaking B-Girls Round Robin Group B bout on day 14 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 9, 2024 in Paris, France. ” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aQV6Mvxpslg3UdOwnDx9Mg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/519dd0751b31cea1b5a5 c58fc1109a2e” class=”caas -img”/><button class= — Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Getty

Raygun competes in the Breaking B-Girls Round Robin Group B bout on Day 14 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 9, 2024 in Paris, France.

Raygun returns!

The Australian breakdancer, who went viral with her controversial performance during the 2024 Paris Olympics, ditched her polo uniform and went glamorous in a cover shoot for a new issue of the Australian magazine Stellar.

The Olympian, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, makes a big appearance in the feature in a long, aqua blue dress and strappy sandals – a stark departure from the green and yellow breakout uniform in which she competed at the Paris Games.

Gunn's full interview with Stellar isn't on the stands yet, but in a quick look at the cover, Gunn is quoted as saying, “You didn't bring me down.” You didn't succeed. “I still stand by what I did,” was likely an appeal to the critics who criticized her performance and accused her of cheating her way into the Games.

The cover also previews Gunn's next chapter, with “What Raygun Did Next” also featured on the cover.

<p>Steven Chee/Stellar</p>
<p> Raygun for the cover of Stellar magazine, photographed by Steven Chee” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/K0al9Xr9FKR9Enlbc7kTOA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTc5Mw–/https://media.zenfs .com/en/people_218/a2af38207fe11f05fa0802b4edf8f271″/></p>
<p>Steven Chee/Stellar</p>
<p> Raygun for the cover of Stellar magazine, photographed by Steven Chee” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/K0al9Xr9FKR9Enlbc7kTOA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTc5Mw–/https://media.zenfs .com/en/people_218/a2af38207fe11f05fa0802b4edf8f271″ class=”caas-img”/></p></div>
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<div class= — Steven Chee/Stellar

Raygun for the cover of Stellar magazine, photographed by Steven Chee

Gunn first made headlines after her August 9 performance at the first-ever Olympic breaking event, when her unique dance moves (which included kangaroo jumps) went viral on social media.

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Related: Viral Australian breakdancer Raygun is now ranked No. 1 in the world by the sport's governing body

Others, however, found Gunn's performance endearing and entertaining. During her concert in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, August 10, singer Adele, “the breakdancing lady,” said, referring to Gunn, that she was “the best thing that happened at the Olympics.”

The “Someone Like You” singer said Gunn's routine made her “very, very happy.”

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Following the controversial performance, Gunn addressed her critics in a candid video shared on Instagram. “I didn’t realize that it would also open the door to so much hate, which was honestly pretty devastating,” she said. “Even though I went out there and had fun, I took it very seriously.”

<p>Ezra Shaw/Getty</p>
<p> B-Girl Raygun of Team Australia competes during the B-Girls Round Robin – Group B on Day 14 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ VT1S7DYBm97oKyE16GB9YA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/63452cf1bde2006a750090cea46c0dd6″/></p>
<p>Ezra Shaw/Getty</p>
<p> B-Girl Raygun of Team Australia competes during the B-Girls Round Robin – Group B on Day 14 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ VT1S7DYBm97oKyE16GB9YA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/63452cf1bde2006a750090cea46c0dd6″ class=”caas-img”/><button class= — Ezra Shaw/Getty

B-Girl Raygun from Team Australia competes in the B-Girls Round Robin – Group B on day 14 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Related: Viral Olympian Raygun Says Online Hate Was 'Pretty Devastating': 'I Worked My Butt Off'

Gunn, now the No. 1 female competitive athlete in the world, was later accused of rigging the Olympic selection process when users on Reddit claimed that she and her husband (and coach) Samuel Free were founders of the Australian Breaking Association.

The association denied those claims and said it stood “in solidarity” with Gunn following the allegation. In a statement at the time, the organization confirmed that the selection process for the Games complied with “World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) regulations, which are aligned with International Olympic Committee (IOC) standards” to “ensure a fair and transparent outcome.” “.

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