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Irish Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Arthur Gourounlian on racism and homophobia in Ireland
Dancing With The Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian calls Ireland home, but says he will always experience racism and homophobia. In the early 1990s, the Armenian dancer fled his home country for Belgium, where he sought asylum. He now happily lives in Dublin with his husband Brian Dowling and their two daughters Blake and Blu. But as hate towards immigrants and refugees appears to be on the rise, Arthur told the Irish Sunday Mirror it is something he experiences. After launching Newbridge Silverware's new 'Legendary Blue Box' campaign, the choreographer said: 'Ireland welcomed me with open arms. I've been so so lucky, Ireland is my home, and nobody will take that away from me. 'We're always going to get abuse from me being a refugee, the jealousy, the racism and homophobia. Brian and I will always get that no matter what, no matter where you are. 'But they are the 3%, the 97% are absolutely incredible. So I'm speaking from my experience, my story. Online the other day I was told 'You French c**t go back home'. I had to go back and say 'Maybe get your facts right I'm Armenian'. 'But guess what? They're not going to defeat me. They're not going to do anything to me because they're not part of my life. It's okay. It's not okay, but it's okay.' The Dancing with the Stars judge is a Eurovision fanatic and was part of the panel that chose Ireland's entry on the Late Late Eurosong contest. Speaking hours before the Eurovision semi-final on Thursday, Arthur said he was very positive that Norwegian singer Emmy would take Ireland to the final with her entry Laika Party. He said: 'It's fun, it's catchy. So hopefully people are gonna hear that and see that she looks great. She can sing for the room and get seen.' Arthur said he doesn't think it's unfair that a singer who isn't from Ireland or lives here can represent the country. The Eurovision expert also thinks it could be an advantage, as Norwegians may pick up the phone for Ireland. He added: 'When people come for people, please take your facts as the girl who has co-written the song is Irish. 'It's not about the person, it's about the song. It's called the Eurovision Song Contest.' Samantha Mumba, who was one of five hopefuls for this year's entry, lashed out at Arthur and his fellow panellists - including 2fM's Laura Fox and Donal Skehan - when she wasn't chosen. Taking to Instagram, she wrote: 'Special mention to the 'panel' (aside from Bambie who I stan) who not only didn't have the credentials, experience or professionalism required and were unnecessarily rude and vile to all the finalists - my parting gift them is a bag of (aubergine emoji) to slowly choke on.' Arthur stayed fairly quiet online following the backlash but said on Thursday that contestants who can't be criticised shouldn't enter the competition. He said: 'I was paid to do a job and sit in that chair and that's exactly what I did. When you do a competition like that, no matter if it's X-Factor or any competition that there are judges or a panel you have to get ready to be criticised or told off or things like that. 'So if you can't handle that, it's not for you.' The Dancing With The Stars judge was speaking as he launched Newbridge Silverware's new 'Legendary Blue Box' campaign that tribute timeless style and craftsmanship. He produced and directed a new campaign video for the brand, who he said was 'a dream' to work with.
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Pass the baton to me' says RTE's Arthur Gourounlian as he throws hat into ring to replace beloved icon in huge TV gig
RTE star Arthur Gourounlian has asked a beloved TV icon to pass over his baton to him. The dad-of-two is a jack of all trades and is constantly on the go with judging on 2 Arthur Gourounlian wants to replace Marty Whelan when he retires from his Eurovision job Credit: Conor Healy / Picture It 2 Marty Whelan has been commentating on Eurovision for RTE for 26 years Credit: Instagram He was also on the national judging panel on the Late Late Eurosong Special twice to comment on the six acts who battled it out to represent Ireland in Eurovision. The 44-year-old said he's a "fanatic" for the international song competition and would love to take Marty Whelan has been commentating through all three stages of Eurovision with the national broadcaster since 2000. read more on eurovision The 68-year-old's He has became synonymous in Ireland for his coverage of the Eurovision. Arthur told The Irish Sun: "Listen to me, this is very exclusive... I'm manifesting - when Marty Whelan is retiring, I want to host as a commentator. Why not? Dream big. "Listen, he looks amazing, I love Marty, I met him, he's like my gemini brother, I love it. read more on the irish sun "But you know what? I love Eurovision so much." Arthur believes himself and his podcast co-host and good pal Arthur Gourounlian gives Donal Skehan 'resignation' from podcast The celebrity choreographer explained: "I even said me and Donal, because we're both obsessed with Eurovision. I was like, 'Imagine you and me doing the commentary for Eurovision. It's like being Ryland or Scott Mills. "Why not? Bring us in. So that's what I would love to do. Forget about creating. I want to be the new Irish commentator for Eurovision for the years to come. Here we go." Pleading to the iconic star, he added: "I'm saying, 'Marty, when you retire, please pass the baton to me and Donal'." Arthur also launched Newbridge Silverware's brand new 'Legendary Blue Box' campaign, which is a tribute to timeless style and craftsmanship, this week. 'BEYOND PROUD' The media personality produced and directed the dance video which sees dancers perform in the Newbridge Silverware showroom and factory to depict the style of the famous Blue Box. The exciting new video will be shared on social media on Saturday May 17, at 7.00pm to coincide with the The video is a complete first for the jewellery company and marks the next chapter in the history of the famous Irish lifestyle company which was established in 1934. Speaking about the new campaign, Arthur said, 'It was an honour. This was a bold and visionary leap for the brand, unlike anything they've done before. "Sitting at the table with such passionate minds, dreaming, crafting, and channelling the timeless heritage and magic of Newbridge Silverware into something so bold was nothing short of unforgettable. "My vision was to tell the story in one continuous shot, with no edits and no interruptions, to heighten the emotion and immerse the viewer in the beauty and rhythm of a dream captured inside the box. This is more than a project; it's a love letter to tradition, elegance, and reinvention. "I'm beyond proud of what we've achieved. And this… this is only the beginning. Here's to the enduring legacy of Newbridge Silverware. May it shine on for generations to come."
Extra.ie
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Arthur Gourounlian says 'never say never' to expanding family
Arthur Gourounlian, who shares two baby daughters with husband Brian Dowling, has said 'never say never' to expanding their family of four. 'Never say never,' he laughed. 'Blake is three now and she's starting pre-school next year. And Blu is eleven months now. Time has just flown by,' the Dancing with the Stars judge told Armenian-born Gourounlian and Kildare-born husband Brian moved back to Ireland in 2020, just before the COVID pandemic shut down the entire world. Arthur Gourounlian at the launch of Newbridge Silverware's Legendary Blue Box campaign. Pic: Picture It Photography Now, five years and two baby girls later, proud-as-punch dad Arthur said Ireland is where his heart is. 'I've been living here full-time five years now,' Arthur explained. 'I'm married to an Irishman, my two children are Irish. I feel more Irish than anything else.' He added: 'I'm very patriotic to be Armenian, but also I feel very Irish. I feel like, give me my passport now,' he laughed. Arthur Gourounlian at the launch of Newbridge Silverware's Legendary Blue Box campaign. Pic: Picture It Photography Since deciding to set up home in Ireland, flamboyant choreographer Arthur has made a massive impact on the Irish entertainment scene. 'My life has changed so much since Brian and I decided to move here,' he said this week 'We were planning to initially leave back in 2020 and 2021. But that was before babies and Dancing with the Stars and all of the other opportunities that Ireland has given me,' he said. Arthur Gourounlian at the launch of Newbridge Silverware's Legendary Blue Box campaign. Pic: Picture It Photography 'But I think everything is going so nice and smooth right now. We are just loving life.' The family of four have recently made the move from Brian's childhood town of Rathangan in Kildare to Dublin City, and Arthur says they are actively house-hunting in the capital. 'We are settled in Dublin now, so the next milestone is to get our own home. So fingers and toes crossed.' But Arthur was back in Kildare this week as he unveiled his new artist project with Newbridge Silverware, which is one of the nation's most iconic jewellery and lifestyle brands. 'I was actually introduced to Newbridge Silverware by Brian's mother, God rest her soul.' 'And I just fell in love with all of their creative pieces. So when they asked me to become one of the faces of Newbridge Silverware, I was speechless and honoured,' Arthur said. 'I designed Newbridge's new boxes and we created an incredible visual promotion to bring Newbridge into the next generation while maintaining the ethos of the company that makes it the brand it is,' said Arthur. And as to boxes, he says he would describe his family life as a little box of love. 'I would be the pearls, Brian, would be the diamonds; of course he would, he loves his bling,' he laughed. 'And the girls would be colourful, bright, beautiful brooches of all the colours of the rainbow.'
