Arthur Gourounlian

Arthur Gourounlian
Born (1980-06-01) 1 June 1980 (age 44)
Armenian SSR
Occupations
  • Dancer
  • choreographer
  • creative director
  • television personality
Spouse
​
(m. 2015)​
Children2

Arthur Gourounlian (Armenian: Արթուր Գուրունլեան, romanized: Art’ur Gurunlean; born 1 June 1980) is an Armenian-born professional dancer and television personality, featuring as the Armenian judge on the James Corden hosted reality series, The World's Best.

Early life

Arthur Gourounlian was born and raised in Armenia. In 1992, Gourounlian and his family were forced to leave the war-torn country during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.[1] Gorounlian along with his parents, sister, aunt and cousin sought asylum in Brussels.[2] Gourounlian trained as a barber before travelling between Italy, Spain and France working as a go-go dancer in nightclubs. In 2002, Gourounlian moved to London to pursue a career in dancing professionally.

Career

Gourounlian had a successful career as a back-up dancer for musicians including, Girls Aloud, Beyoncé, P!nk, Pussycat Dolls, Bananarama, Will Young, Kylie Minogue and Cheryl.[3]

As a creative director, Gourounlian has worked on campaigns for some of the most recognisable brands in the world including, Louboutin, Diesel, Puma, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Mary Kay, Walkers Crisps and Coca-Cola.[4]

In 2019, Gourounlian appeared as the Armenian judge on The World's Best alongside host, James Corden and main judges, Drew Barrymore, Faith Hill and RuPaul. Later that year, Gorounlian and his husband, Brian Dowling appeared on a charity special of Ireland's Fittest Family where they finished in third place, earning €1,000 for charity.[5]

On 12 November 2021, Gourounlian was confirmed as the new judge on the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars beginning January 2022.[6] He replaced Julian Benson on the panel.

In 2003, Gourounlian and Dowling featured in a documentary Brian & Arthur’s Very Modern Family[7] and released a book titled Brian and Arthur’s Modern Family: Births, Marriages, Deaths and Everything[8].

Personal life

On 30 July 2015, Gourounlian married television presenter and two-time Big Brother winner, Brian Dowling at a ceremony in Powerscourt Estate, County Wicklow.[9] In 2021, they bought a house in Dowling's home county of Kildare.[10] On 1 September 2022, Gourounlian and Dowling welcomed their first child, a daughter named Blake Maria Rose Dowling Gourounlian. On 23 June 2024, they welcomed a second daughter Blu Amar Rose Dowling Gourounlian[11].Dowling's sister Aoife acted as surrogate for the couple.[12]

References

  1. ^ Murphy, Eoin (2020-08-22). "Brian Dowling's husband opens up about fleeing childhood home to save his own life". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  2. ^ "Arthur Gourounlian opens up about adoption journey with husband, Brian Dowling". VIP Magazine. 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  3. ^ "The Collaborations Agency — Arthur Gourounlian". The Collaborations Agency. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  4. ^ "Arthur Gourounlian – Creative Director | Choreographer". Chokolate. 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  5. ^ English, Eoin (2019-12-31). "Heffernans complete 'obstacle course from hell' on Ireland's Fittest Family to win €10k for Cork charity". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  6. ^ Delaney, Caroline (2021-11-12). "Dancing with the Stars is back in January — and who's the new judge?". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  7. ^ "Brian and Arthur: A Very Modern Family – hiding in plain sight is a film exploring a uniquely Irish dysfunction". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  8. ^ "Brian Dowling And Arthur Gourounlian To Reveal All In New Book". 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  9. ^ "Irish tv presenter Brian Dowling weds long-term love Arthur Gouroulia in Wicklow". independent. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  10. ^ O'Loughlin, Mikie (2021-01-03). "Brian Dowling gives first look at new house he bought with husband Arthur". RSVP Live. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  11. ^ "'Arthur gets DNA, I get names' – Brian Dowling opens up on baby name 'struggle' following birth of second child". Irish Independent. 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  12. ^ O'Loughlin, Mikie (2024-03-12). "Brian Dowling's sister Aoife will once again be surrogate as Arthur shares due date for second baby". RSVP Live. Retrieved 2024-12-18.