Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn faces global backlash after Olympics performance

In Australia, Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn faced significant backlash following her performance at the Paris Olympics, resulting in a wave of criticisms and humor directed at her unconventional breakdancing style. As a consequence of this notoriety, a musical inspired by her viral moments, originally called 'Raygun: The Musical,' was set to premiere in Sydney. However, the show was abruptly canceled just hours before its debut when Gunn's legal team threatened action, expressing concerns that the musical could misrepresent her brand and association with the performance. Gunn's lawyers had trademarked promotional materials for the show and claimed ownership over specific dance moves, which complicated matters for comedian Stephanie Broadbridge, the show's creator. After these developments, Broadbridge publicly acknowledged the need to rebrand the musical to avoid further legal entanglements. On December 19, she announced the new title, 'Breaking: The Musical,' alongside an updated tagline promoting the show as a legal parody. The revised branding included a playful poster featuring elements reminiscent of Gunn's breakdancing poses. Following this change, Gunn confirmed via Instagram that her legal representatives had reached an agreement with Broadbridge. She expressed contentment with the resolution and encouraged the musical's continued progress, stating that the new name and branding allowed it to move forward without drawbacks to her image. She denied earlier reports suggesting that she demanded financial compensation regarding the use of her name, clarifying that the rumors of a $10,000 payment were not accurate. Emphasizing her support for creative endeavors, Gunn remarked that her request for separation from the project was not a matter of stifling humor but rather to maintain clarity around her brand identity, appreciating the various artistic interpretations that her Olympic performance had inspired.