Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn has apologized to Indigenous Australians after claims her infamous Kangaroo Dance was an example of cultural appropriation.
The Australian breakdancer took to Instagram on Friday to ‘correct some misinformation’ after her legal team dropped a musical inspired by her Olympic performance.
Comedian Stephanie Broadbridge announced last Saturday that her pilot show entitled ‘Breaking: The Musical’ had been canceled after Ms Gunn’s lawyers fired a cease and desist order.
Ms Broadbridge claimed Ms Gunn’s lawyers trademarked her kangaroo dance because the viral Olympian ‘owned’ it.
It led many critics to accuse Raygun of cultural appropriation, as the ‘roo dance’ has been a hallmark of indigenous culture for centuries.
But Ms Gunn hit back on Friday, claiming her jive’does not in any way imitate Aboriginal dance’.
“It was instead inspired by the Australian Olympic mascot ‘BK’, the boxing kangaroo, and I wanted to represent and celebrate that spirit,” she said.
“I know this misinformation has upset many members of the Indigenous community and I am sorry for that and truly sorry that this was not corrected sooner.”
Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn (pictured) has taken to social media to ‘correct some misinformation’, putting her effort back in the spotlight
“I have the utmost respect for Indigenous Australians who are part of the oldest living culture on Earth.”
Instead, she revealed that she registered her name and the “famous kangaroo silhouette pose” to prevent third parties from trying to monetize her name and image.
“Yes, I trademarked my name and my now famous kangaroo silhouette pose, which is used on virtually every Raygun merchandise, which I don’t profit from, by the way,” she said.
“And the reason we did that is because we were made aware that there were applications from other parties trying to trademark my name and image for commercial purposes. I mean completely wild.”
Raygun also spoke of her sadness that Ms. Broadbridge’s musical was halted by her legal team so close to opening night.
The musical was due to premiere at Kinselas in Darlinghurst Sydney on December 7.
Raygun said she only learned about the musical last Friday through media reports and emphasized that “not being able to take a joke is not an issue here.”
“We were completely blindsided by this and unfortunately the backlash came quickly,” Raygun said.
Raygun said her signature kangaroo dance move “in no way mimics Aboriginal dance.” Raygun is pictured performing this move during the Paris Olympics
Raygun also spoke about ‘Breaking: The Musical’, the new show based on her Olympic journey from comedian and musician Steph Broadbridge (pictured) that was shut down by Raygun’s lawyers
“People assumed we had developed it, that we had approved it, and it damaged a lot of relationships, both personal and professional.”
“So this is why my management and legal team had to work so quickly to shut down the musical.”
Raygun said it was “unfortunate” that the show was canceled just before opening.
“I know the artist would have put a lot of work into it and that really sucks,” Raygun said.”
‘But would we have known before? It could have been a different outcome.”
According to one Eventbrite on the list, “Breaking: The Musical” would feature a dozen actors and songs, including “You May Be a B-Girl, But You’ll Always Be an A-Girl to Me,” “I’m Breaking Down” and ” I would have won, but I pulled a muscle.’
The Eventbrite listing stated that all proceeds from the event would be donated to the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Center at Redfern in Sydney.
That of the organization website States, they ‘create a safer future for women and children by ending gender-based violence within one generation.’
Global star: NFL star Camryn Bynu (pictured, center) imitated Raygun’s routine as he scored a touchdown last month
Ms Broadbridge confirmed that ‘Breaking: The Musical’ would not go ahead on social media on Saturday morning, saying it had been ‘cancelled’.
“They were… afraid I would damage her brand,” Ms Broadbridge said.
“Which I would never do… She doesn’t need me to do that,” she said.
Ms Broadbridge has claimed the show will still be on in some form, but apologized to Raygun on Channel 10’s The Project on Sunday night.
“If you’re watching, I just want to say I’m really sorry for the negativity you’ve received as a result of this,” Ms Broadbridge said.
“I can promise you that was not my intention. The intention was to try and make you feel like the icon I think you can be in Australia.”
“I just wanted to support you through it. If there has been any negativity, I am truly sorry.”