Raygun, the Australian break dancing Olympian who went viral for scoring zero points during the 2024 games in Paris, is speaking up about backlash following the event.

“Hi everyone, Raygun here. I just want to start by thanking all the people who have supported me,” she shared in a video posted to Instagram on Thursday. “I really appreciate the positivity and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That’s what I hoped.”

“I didn’t realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has frankly been pretty devastating,” the competitor, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, continued. “While I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously.”

She continued: “I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all, truly. I’m honored to have been a part of the Australian Olympic Team and to be part of breaking’s Olympic debut.”

Gunn also advised followers to refer to statements by the AOC (Australian Olympic Committee) regarding the controversy that surfaced after her appearance.

The AOC had previously condemned a change.org petition calling for an investigation into Gunn’s selection for the Paris Olympics, claiming she unfairly manipulated the system. Petition creators claimed that both she and her husband/coach Samuel Free were involved in the selection process.

AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said the petition had “stirred up public hatred without any factual basis” and called it “vexatious, misleading and bullying,” per ESPN.

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“It is disgraceful that these falsehoods concocted by an anonymous person can be published in this way,” Carroll said. “It amounts to bullying and harassment and is defamatory. We are demanding that it be removed from the site immediately. No athlete who has represented their country at the Olympic Games should be treated in this way.”

The petition had earned more than 50,000 signatures before it was removed from the platform. The poster, identified only as “Someone who REALLY hates corruption,” restarted the petition with slightly different wording on Thursday.

Gunn continued in the Instagram video, “But I’d really like to ask the press to please stop harassing my family, my friends, the Australian Breaking community, and the broader street dance community. Everyone has been through a lot as a result of this, so I ask you to please respect their privacy. I’ll be happy to answer more questions on my return to Australia. Thanks, everyone.”

Besides being an Olympic competitor, Gunn is also a university lecturer who holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from a university in Sydney. She wrote a dissertation entitled: “Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney’s Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl’s Experience of B-boying.”

Break dancing will not be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Katy Perry’s record label Capitol Records hit back at claims that the singer had filmed a music video on protected dunes on a Spanish Island, saying they were given approval prior to shooting.

Following an investigation by Spain authorities into the 39-year-old singer allegedly filming her video “Lifetimes” at the dunes of S’Espalmador without permission, her label said it had been told verbally it was fine a day before the shoot, NBC reported.

A rep for the record label said that the music video production company, WeOwnTheCity, “assured us that all necessary permits for the video were secured.”

“We have since learned that one permit was in process, although we were given verbal authority to go ahead,” the spokesperson said. “Our local crew on July 22 applied for a permit for this specific location with the Directorate-General For Coasts And Coastline.”

“Our crew received verbal approval on July 26 to proceed with the filming on July 27,” the label rep added. “We adhered to all regulations associated with filming in this area and have the utmost respect for this location and the officials tasked with protecting it.”

In the video, Perry can be seen dancing on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera and in nightclubs. Her video shoot was partially filmed on the island, which contains sand dunes that the Spanish government says have “great ecological value,” according to the BBC.

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On Tuesday, local government officials issued a press release saying the celebrity did not seek permission to film in that location. However, the crime would not be classified as “environmental infringement” because parties can be granted access to the area with prior authorization, as previously reported.

Katy Perry’s team responded to claims that the music video for “Lifetimes” was filmed on “ecologically sensitive sand dunes without permission.”https://t.co/N0PsaPwvs0

— iHeartRadio (@iHeartRadio) August 15, 2024

A statement from Spanish officials said that they were reportedly investigating possible damage to the dunes.

A translation of the complaint said in part, “The filming of photographic reports, cinematographic, videographic or of any other kind that involve the taking of images in any medium and format with an advertising or commercial exhibition purpose, requires the express authorization of the competent ministry for the environment, without prejudice to other authorizations that can be granted by the corresponding authorities and bodies, including those pertaining to property rights.”

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This latest development comes just after fans and critics slammed Perry for her single “Woman’s World.” According to Time, the lyrics “appeared to be feminist on the surface,” but were “combined with a video that many believe catered to the male gaze.” The backlash prompted Perry to respond on social media, posting, “YOU CAN DO ANYTHING! EVEN SATIRE!”

Amanda Harding contributed to this piece.

Related: Katy Perry Under Investigation In Spain For Possibly Damaging Sand Dunes While Filming Music Video