Adele Can’t Get Enough of Olympic Breakdancing Star Raygun: ‘It Has Made Me Very, Very Happy’
Over the weekend, Adele delighted in watching the debut of the Summer Olympics’ newest sport: breakdancing. The anticipation surrounding the first-ever breakdancing competition was palpable, and the athletes certainly delivered, showcasing the skill and artistry that make breaking a worthy addition to the Olympic roster. B-girls from around the world impressed judges with their expertise in toprocking, power moves, footwork, and freezes, proving that this American-born sport belongs on the global stage.
Among the competitors, a few standout athletes captured the attention of both judges and viewers. Notable performances included the Netherlands’ India, bronze medalist 671, and Japan’s gold medalist Ami. However, one b-girl, in particular, managed to steal the spotlight in a way that no one anticipated—36-year-old Australian teacher Rachael Gunn, known on the breakdancing scene as Raygun.
During one of her massive shows in Munich on Saturday, Adele couldn’t help but share her enthusiasm for Raygun’s performance. “I think it’s the best thing that’s happened in the Olympics the entire time,” Adele exclaimed, to the delight of her audience. She went on to ask if anyone had seen the “breakdancing lady,” prompting laughter from the crowd.
Adele admitted that she wasn’t aware breaking had been added to the Paris Olympics but quickly deemed it “f–king fantastic.” She recounted how she and her friends had been talking non-stop about Raygun’s performance since they first saw it. Adele even mentioned that one of her band members had been “p—ing himself laughing” while thinking about Raygun’s unorthodox moves.
Raygun’s performance, which earned her zero points, was a topic of conversation not just for its low score but for the unique, floppy, and somewhat awkward moves that launched a wave of memes. Despite her lack of points, Raygun won hearts with her enthusiastic, if unconventional, style. Adele confessed that she couldn’t tell if Raygun’s performance was a joke, but regardless, it made her “very, very happy” and provided endless amusement for her and her friends.
Adele encouraged her audience to check out Raygun’s performance, stating, “If you haven’t seen it, please leave the show and Google it because it is LOLZ!!! It is so f–king funny. Anyway, it’s my favorite thing that’s happened in the Olympics this whole, whole time.”
This wasn’t the first time Adele paused one of her shows to focus on the Paris Olympics. Just a week earlier, she took a break to watch the Women’s 100M sprint final, broadcasting the race on the big screen for her 75,000 fans during her 10-night residency at the custom-built Adele Arena.
While some may have mocked Raygun’s kangaroo hop moves and her PE teacher-worthy outfit, the proud dancer—who started breaking at 20 and won the Oceania Breaking Championship last year—made it clear that her performance was no joke. “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves,” Gunn told reporters. “So I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?”
Adele’s enthusiastic reaction to Raygun’s performance only adds to the charm and uniqueness of the Olympic debut of breakdancing, making it a memorable moment for both fans and athletes alike.
