Raygun might not have achieved the Olympic success she dreamed of, but her experience could still offer financial rewards.
The dancer, whose real name is Dr. Rachael Gunn, has recently gone viral following her performance at the Olympics, where breakdancing made its historic debut.
Her performance was described as ‘hilariously ridiculous’ by viewers, and the Australian competitor received a score of zero from the judges.
One judge has since come forward to explain the reasoning behind the harsh score.
Breakdancing judge MGbility told News Corp: “I feel personally very sorry. The breaking and hip hop community definitely stands behind her.”
“She was just trying to bring something new, something original and something that represents her country.”
“We stay with her. Just her level was maybe not as high as the other competitors.”
“Again, we’re using a comparative judging system. Her competitors were just better but it doesn’t mean that she did really bad. She did her best.”
You get an A+ for effort from me, Rachael!
While the Olympics might not have gone as Raygun hoped, she now has the potential to earn through endorsements.
Marketing and public relations expert Max Markson spoke to Mail Online about the dancer’s ‘enormous brand’.
“Her reputation in Australia isn’t that great, but she is famous across the world,” he noted.
“I don’t think everyone else in other countries is conscious of how Australians feel about her. I think Australian marketers will be avoiding her for that reason, but there will be somebody in this country who will go for it.”
“She will get international offers from sports shoe brands, like Adidas or Puma, food companies like McDonald’s or KFC, electric cars like BYD, and she will get a phone company like Telstra or Optus or Vodafone.”
“There will be other international companies that want her as well.”
Markson indicated that major brands could pay up to $500,000 for endorsement deals, suggesting that Raygun could potentially become a millionaire with such opportunities.
“She has a PhD, she has a genuine background, so she will also get speaking engagements. She also has an appeal for kids,” he added. “People will also want her for TV, there will be a TV gig for her in the next six months.”
Although the breakdancing event sparked much discussion at Paris 2024, it seems to be omitted from the next Olympic Games.
Currently, ‘Breaking’ is not included in the lineup for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Instead, sports like cricket, baseball, and flag football have been introduced.
IOC President Thomas Bach mentioned that the new sports for LA 2028 align with American sports culture and will highlight iconic American sports to a global audience.