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Australian Olympic “breaker” Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun, has, apparently, been having a rough go of it ever since she embarrassed herself in front of the world by flopping around on the Olympic stage, doing what looked like an impersonation of either a kangaroo, bunny or velociraptor while hopping around like a toddler trying to get her mother’s attention — and calling it breakdancing.
We all saw the way Gunn’s performance prompted an onslaught of memes, gifs and relentless mocking on social media. There was even a petition against her that some 58,000 people signed. The internet dragging was well-deserved, but it appears it put the 37-year-old in a state of distress that she’s still working her way out of. Apparently, the worldwide reaction to Gunn’s culture-vulturing nonsense on social media and on late-night television has harmed her mental health, which is why she has made an effort to stay away from all of it — but she still felt the need to tell us all about it, of course.
From Deadline:
And she hasn’t even seen the Jimmy Fallon-Rachel Dratch parody. “I don’t think I’m in the place yet to watch it,” she says in a new interview with the Australian network television show The Project.
“I knew that I was going to get beaten, and I knew that people were not going to understand my style and what I was going to do,” the 37-year-old breaker said. “The odds were against me, that’s for sure.”
“Fortunately I got some mental health support pretty quickly and I also went off social media,” she added.
Elsewhere during the The Project interview, Gunn apologized for the negative attention she’s brought to the new Olympic sport. “I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced,” she said, “but I can’t control how people react.”
I mean, one could argue that she absolutely could have controlled how people reacted — by not taking her talentless, rhythmless self up on that stage in the first place.
It’s arguable that all Gunn did when she (literally) hopped up on that stage was single-handedly ensure that the breaking completion never had a fair shot at being taken seriously at the Olympics.
Gunn—who holds a PhD in Cultural Studies and examines the cultural politics of breaking, bringing both academic and artistic perspectives—had also previously defended herself in a way that indicates she cares nothing about the culture she supposedly studied and was more concerned with the spotlight and what it did for her personally.
“What I wanted to do was come out here and do something new and different and creative — that’s my strength, my creativity,” she said. “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, 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.”
If Gunn really cared about the culture she supposedly studied, she wouldn’t want to be the only thing people would remember about the time breaking came to the Olympics, which will likely not happen again in 2028.
But, sure, I guess it’s good she’s taking care of her mental health or whatever. Good luck with all that.
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One Championship returns to the United States for One 168: Denver, a champion vs. champion showdown on Friday (Sept. 6) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Jonathan Haggerty will defend his bantamweight Muay Thai world title against flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 during the live event taking place in Denver, at the Ball Arena.
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Co-headlining the event will be ONE flyweight submission grappling world champion Mikey Musumeci defending his title against Bebeto Oliveira.
Can’t make it to the event live? You can watch One 168: Denver online through Prime Video, which is available for Prime members only.
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Keep reading to learn the streaming options available.
How to Watch One 168: Denver Online for Free
Current Prime members can watch One 168: Denver live for no extra cost. Just log into your account and you’ll have instant access once the matches start.
Don’t have a Prime membership? Amazon is offering new users a 30-day free trial when you sign up. You’ll not only get access to Prime Video and the One 168: Denver livestream for free, but all of the perks that come with being a Prime member including exclusive discounts, grocery delivery, free one-day shipping, Prime Reading and Prime Try Before You Buy.
In addition to ONE Championship, you’ll also be able to watch Prime Video exclusive content including Jackpot, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, Gen V, The Idea of You, Night Swim, The Summer I Turned Pretty and One Fast Move.
Once the free trial is over, you’ll be charged the regular membership of fee of $14.99 a month or $139 a year.
Looking for more savings? Students can take advantage of the student membership that’ll get you a six month free trial and 50% off the membership fee. If you’re a part of a qualifying government program, you can sign up for the EBT/Medicad membership that comes with a 30-day free trial and half-off subscription fee.
One 168: Denver Fight Card
Check below to see the match card for One 168: Denver, which starts at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Haggerty vs. Superlek (Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship)
Musumeci vs. Oliveira (Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship)
Liam Harrison vs. Seksan Or Kwanmuang (Catchweight 140 lbs Muay Thai)
Aung La N Sang vs. Shamil Erdogan (Middleweight MMA)
John Lineker vs. Asa Ten Pow (Bantamweight Muay Thai)
Hiroyuki Tetsuka vs. Isi Fitikefu (Welterweight MMA)
Alyse Anderson vs. Victoria Souza (Atomweight MMA)
Maurice Abevi vs. Samat Mamedov (Lightweight MMA)
Adrian Lee vs. Nico Cornejo (Lightweight MMA)
Johan Ghazali vs. Josue Cruz (Flyweight Muay Thai)
Sean Climaco vs. Johan Estupinan (Flyweight Muay Thai)
Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster, StubHub, Vivid Seats (snag $20 off purchases of $200+ with code BB2024), Gametime (score $20 off ticket orders of $150+ with code SAVE20 at checkout) and Seat Geek (first purchases can get $10 off $250+ with the code BILLBOARD10).
Taylor Swift made her glam return to Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night (Sept. 5) to watch her boyfriend Travis Kelce in the Kansas City Chiefs‘ season-opening game against the Baltimore Ravens. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news All eyes were on what the pop superstar would wear to […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. College football season is back, with Big Ten football and all the other NCAA conferences taking the field in hopes of […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Lionel Messi has been taking a break from the field after sustaining an injury during the 2024 Copa America finals against […]
Taylor Swift is slowly becoming a football mastermind. Travis Kelce recently sat down for an interview on The Rich Eisen Show, where the Kansas City Chiefs tight end revealed that his pop superstar girlfriend has learned so much about football, that she started making play suggestions. “She had just been so open to learning the […]
J Balvin has been tapped as ESPN’s official music curator for the 2024-25 NFL Season. Balvin will work with ESPN throughout the 2024-25 NFL season to curate music for select ESPN Monday Night Football games. Balvin’s music selections will play in Monday Night Football promo spots, live telecasts and Monday Night Countdown for seven weeks this season, including two NFL Playoff weeks.
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In all, Balvin will provide music for seven games, kicking off his curation stint with his new song “DOBLEXXO” featuring Feid, off his recently released album Rayo. The first game for which Balvin will curate is the New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Sept. 9. However, Balvin’s music selection will begin playing this Friday (Aug. 30), when his track will be used during ESPN’s Week 1 Monday Night topical spot, a fast-moving clip featuring players from the Jets and the 49ers on the field, with Balvin’s music playing as the soundtrack. You can watch it here.
Balvin is the latest superstar to join the Monday Night Football music curation program, joining a list that includes music curators Timbaland and Justin Timberlake (2023), Marshmello (2022), Drake (2021), DJ Khaled (2020) and Diplo (2019).
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“ESPN’s Music curation program with Monday Night Football continues with an artist that will amplify the bold and new music strategy,” said Curtis Friends, ESPN’s vp of sports marketing, in a statement. “J Balvin is a global icon whose influence hits with diverse cultures and genres. His music choices embrace the anticipation and excitement the ESPN football season offers, and we can’t wait for him to come along the season-long ride with us.”
Following the first game on Sept. 9, Balvin will select one song to use for each designated week. Although the tracks to be used have not been announced, they can be his own or someone else’s.
Here is J Balvin’s music curation schedule for the 2024-25 NFL season:• Week 1: New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers• Week 5: New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs• Week 6: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets• Week 11: Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys• Week 18 Doubleheader: TBD• Monday Night Super Wild Card: TBD• Divisional: TBD
Balvin has long been associated with different sports and athletes, and in 2022, he became the first Latin artist to headline an NFL kickoff concert, performing at Long Beach, Calif., ahead of the first regular season game of 2022. Below is the first spot using Balvin’s music.
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Start your engines: Tillys just launched an exclusive NASCAR merch line including a Pit Stop jacket that’s not only bold in color, but features NASCAR-approved patches and graphics in addition to windproof materials. Everything else from the collaboration will give you nostalgia, as the collection spotlights vintage-inspired graphic T-shirts and loungewear that’ll have you racing to fill your cart.
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The collection went live on Aug. 16 and showcases a range of T-shirts, pullovers, sweatshirts and sweatpants that will keep you comfy and streetwear-ready on and off the racetrack. Prices range from $35 to $125, with sizes S-XXL offered. These pieces are available only on Tillys, including the graphics, which you won’t see anywhere else.
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With the Coke Zero 400 getting ready to premiere on Saturday (Aug. 24), this collection comes just in time to stock you up on fashion-forward styles. And, for fans of the Daytona 500, there are some retro-themed T-shirts available that spotlight the major racing event.
Sizes are already selling out, which means you probably won’t want to sleep on it too long before snagging this NASCAR merch.
Below, ShopBillboard put together our favorite picks from the Tillys x NASCAR collection to help inspire your shopping spree.
Tillys
TILLYS x NASCAR Stock Car Mens Boxy Tee
Embrace the vintage look with this soft green T-shirt. The style features a faded base color for a more worn in appearance as well as comes in an oversized fit that’ll give you a more relaxed vibe.
Tillys
TILLYS x NASCAR Racing Mens Crewneck Sweatshirt
Bring your love for racing to your closet with this basic pullover. The front features NASCAR’s iconic logo and a high crewneck that’ll keep you warm and comfy as you cheer on your favorite driver.
Tillys
TILLYS x NASCAR Great American Race Mens Boxy Tee
The Daytona 500 gets a moment with this graphic T-shirt. When you slip it on, you’ll notice it comes with an oversized fit for a more casual, relaxed feel and will pair easily with joggers, jeans and even biker shorts.
Tillys
TILLYS x NASCAR Since 1948 Mens Hoodie
Bundle up in a simple NASCAR sweatshirt that has a soft interior material that’ll help lock heat in. The built-in hood is also ideal for blocking out wind when the temps dip while the front pocket will let you store your phone, wallet and keys.
Tillys
TILLYS x NASCAR Pit Stop Mens Jacket
Make a statement with this bold NASCAR jacket that’ll have you channeling the classic pit-crew style. The jacket comes with embroidered graphics including the official NASCAR logo in addition to speedway patterns along the sleeves for added style. Its windproof shell will also help keep you warm during chillier days.
Professional racing isn’t the only area that the clothing brand launches collections with — the clothing company has also delved into other sports and entertainment collaborations including MBA, NBA, Cobra Kai and the hit movie Deadpool & Wolverine.
For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best celebrity sneaker collaborations, date night outfits and Abercrombie’s NFL collection.
The worlds of sports and music often collide, and the cultures have become synonymous with one another. Four MLS superstars have revealed what’s getting them in the zone before they hit the pitch to dominate.
On Thursday night (Aug. 22) Apple Music launched The Warm-Up playlists curated by FC Cincinnati’s Luciano “Lucho” Acosta, Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Columbus Crew member Cucho Hernández.
“Music helps me to release tension and lets me focus,” Acosta told Apple Music. He blends the worlds of hip-hop and reggaeton for his pregame jams, with picks like Kendrick Lamar’s atomic Drake diss “Not Like Us,” as well as a mix of Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam, Anuel AA and Feid.
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Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” could motivate the laziest of individuals to run through a wall. Mukhtar brings that same intensity to Nashville SC as a rap savant with playlist selections including Drake, Cardi B, Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Meek Mill and more.
While Bouanga relocated to the West Coast to suit up for LAFC, the star winger still favors his French roots with rappers such as SDM, Maes and Niska. He’s still nuanced in American rap, with Pop Smoke, Drake, DMX, Travis Scott being some of his favorites.
“Music plays an essential role in the preparation of my match. It allows me to put myself in my bubble and not think of anything at all. Once the headphones are removed, motivation and determination is already present. I just have to go to the field and win,” he said to Apple Music of his picks. “They make me do the ‘butterfly effect,’ which means making me move my head and sing!”
With Cucho Hernández thousands of miles away from Colombia, the talented striker gets a taste of home with Colombian Vallenato across his pre-game playlist. He presses “play” on Anuel AA, Bad Bunny, Maluma, J Balvin and more before taking the field.
“Music cheers me up,” the 25-year-old shared with Apple Music. “Helps me focus before training, concentrates us in the locker room, helps me concentrate and boost my vibes.”
Fans can catch Hernández and Bouanga in action on Sunday (Aug. 25) when they match up as part of the Leagues Cup, which can be streamed exclusively on Apple TV.
Listen to the players’ playlists below:
Hany Mukhtar:
Luciano Acosta:
Denis Bouanga:
Cucho Hernández:
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The Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears launch Week 3 of the NFL preseason leading one of two games scheduled for Thursday (Aug. 22).
Chicago kicked off the NFL preseason against the Houston Texans earlier in the month. The team has won all of its preseason games thus far.
The Chiefs will host the Bears at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Read on for details on how to stream tonight’s Bears vs. Chiefs game live from anywhere.
How to Watch
The Chiefs vs. Bears game airs live on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 8:20 p.m. ET/5:20 p.m. PT. The game will broadcast on the NFL Network, which is available on DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Sling TV (use ExpressVPN to access streaming platforms internationally).
For local viewers, the Bears vs. Chiefs game will broadcast on Fox 32 in Chicago and 38 the Spot in Kansas City.
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The game will also be available to stream on DAZN.
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How to Stream Free
Football fans can stream the Bears vs. Chiefs game with a free trial from DirecTV and Fubo. Both streamers offer over 90 live channels, plus a free trial. If you’re on a budget, DirecTV Stream is discounted to $49.99 per month (regularly $79.99) for a limited time.
NFL Network is available on DirecTV stream, but it also comes included in the Sports Pack along with NFL RedZone, NBA TV & NHL Network.
Fubo’s streaming plans start at $79.99 per month for access to 155 channels, unlimited DVR and a free trial for a week.
What other NFL teams play on Thursday? The Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals face each other at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The game will stream live on Prime Video.
Plans for the weekend? The NFL Preseason wraps up on Sunday, so if you feel like binging sports all weekend, there will be plenty to watch. The remaining games will broadcast on the NFL Network and local affiliates.
See the schedule below.
Friday, Aug. 23
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons — 7 p.m. ET
San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders — 10 p.m. ET
Saturday, Aug. 24
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions — 1 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys — 4 p.m. ET
New York Giants vs. New York Jets — 7:30 p.m. ET
Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks — 10 p.m. ET
Sunday, Aug. 25
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints — 2 p.m. ET