Robert "Mr. Fantastic" Muraine (born July 2, 1987) is an American dancer and performer from East Los Angeles, California, known for his use of the popping style.
Career
Television and advertising Muraine began practicing popping seriously in 2003, initially training independently for several hours a day. In a 2008 interview with NOW Magazine, he described mime and entertainment as influences on his dance style. Muraine appeared on the fourth season of So You Think You Can Dance in 2008, where his popping and contortion-based audition attracted media attention. He later withdrew during the Las Vegas stage of the competition, citing difficulty with the choreography. Muraine returned for the season finale, where he competed in a popping battle against Philip "PacMan" Chbeeb and won by a 5–1 vote of the judges.
In 2009, Muraine represented the United States as a popping soloist on NBC's Superstars of Dance. He received the bronze medal in the solo category, and the United States finished first overall. In 2008, he also appeared with dancer Shugami Johnson in an IKEA Canada advertising campaign in which the pair danced while arranging furniture.
In November 2020, Muraine appeared on the German talent show Das Supertalent, performing a routine combining popping, contortion, robot dance and eccentric dance.
Stage and circus work From 2009 to 2011, Muraine performed in Cirque Dreams: Illumination, incorporating popping and contortion into the production. In December 2011, he appeared in Flic Flac's Christmas circus production Schrille Nacht, eilige Nacht in Dortmund, where his act combined dance with contortion. He later performed as a guest artist at the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris under the stage name Mr. Fantastic. Awards and honours YearFestival / organizationAwardRef2012XI Moscow International Youth Festival-Competition of Circus Arts, Nikulin CircusBronze Elephant201334th Festival Mondial du Cirque de DemainBronze medal for contortion201438th International Circus Festival of Monte-CarloPrix Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Hôtels & CasinosPrix Spécial Gandey2015Festival International du Cirque du Val-d'OiseCoquelicot de bronze for dislocation
References
External links Official website