Raygun: Online store going viral thanks to Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn

Matt Shrivell
The Nightly
She sent a quick message to those in the audience.

The layered effect of breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s performance at the Paris Olympics has taken hold and Australia’s newest social media sensation is kicking goals for some people she has never met.

One online company called Raygun, which sells a wide range of custom-designed clothing in various areas across the United States, is claiming they are now the ‘’second most famous Raygun on the internet’’, although we are sure they are not complaining.

Raygun’s clothing website now carries plenty of mentions of the worldwide phenomenon, including a new t-shirt range and some hilarious references to their namesake.

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‘’Welcome to Raygun! Currently the second most famous Raygun on the internet,’’ the website’s home page says.

The Raygun website mentions Australia's breakdancing version.
The Raygun website mentions Australia's breakdancing version. Credit: Raygun.

One t-shirt for sale carries the slogan: ‘’Raygun - The store, not the Australian breakdancer.’’

The caption cleverly situated underneath adds: ‘’But, we have been known to do a mean sprinkler at parties.’’

Raygun clothing has a newline out already.
Raygun clothing has a new line out already. Credit: Raygun.

Raygun clothing even added some bizarre commentary from their contact page, after people mistook their company for Raygun herself and aired their grievances.

‘’You’re a pathetic scumbag. You cheat actual talent so your stupid ass could flop around disrespecting those who have given their life to the art. You should be sued into oblivion,’’ one complainant said.

Raygun, the clothing company, responded by saying: ‘’Someone typed this from OUR contact page! Went to our website and sent it. Wow. And this person may vote.’’

Some of the more bizarre comments left on the Raygun website.
Some of the more bizarre comments left on the Raygun website. Credit: Raygun.

Media interest has been such that even with fast-paced, big-volume content consumed at a lightning pace around the globe, the Rachael Gunn story has held the interest of the world’s internet space for weeks.

Marketing heavyweights have acknowledged that Gunn’s Olympics farce is too good not to take advantage and the prospect for the 36-year-old university lecturer to make millions is now very real.

After recently being mentioned in a lookalike skit on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Rachael Gunn made it into Australian entertainment folklore with an appearance on Sunday night at the Logies on Channel 7.

Comedian Rachel Dratch dressed as Raygun on The Tonight Show. 
Comedian Rachel Dratch dressed as Raygun on The Tonight Show.  Credit: @TonightShow

Raygun appeared via video at Australian permitting all the Logie award winners to use here breakdance moves to celebrate their TV ‘gongs’.

“Hello, Australia, Raygun here,” she said in the video.

“I just want to say congrats to all the Logie nominees and best of luck tonight.

“Please feel free to pull out one of my signature moves in celebration.

“Have fun and look after each other.”

Australia's Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun competes in the Women's Breaking dance Round robin of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Concorde in Paris, on August 9, 2024. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
Australia's Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun competes in the Women's Breaking dance Round robin of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Concorde in Paris, on August 9, 2024. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) Credit: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP

Host of the Logies Sam Pang even gave Raygun a mention alongside Australia’s youngest-ever gold medal Olympian.

“I’d like to acknowledge our youngest ever (Olympic) gold medallist, 14-year-old skateboarder, Arisa Trew,” Pang said.

“Now, as a reward, her parents promised her a pet duck.

“Meanwhile, Raygun’s parents have promised to get her breakdancing lessons.”

Jack Karlson Democracy Manifest and his succulent Chinese meal News report 1991
Jack Karlson Democracy Manifest and his succulent Chinese meal News report 1991 Credit: youtube/supplied

After the recent passing of one of Australia’s other cultural icons Jack Karslon (above), the man responsible for the ‘succulent Chinese meal’ viral video and quotes, Raygun looks set to claim the mantle with t-shirts, dance routines, songs and memes continuing to flow onto social media platforms everywhere.

The Nightly reached out for a comment from Raygun (the store).

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