Dancer and beloved Dancing With the Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian has shared the terrifying experience of surviving a devastating earthquake in Armenia.
The star opened up about the destruction caused by the Armenian earthquake, also known as the Spitak earthquake, which took place on December 7, 1988.
It sadly claimed the lives of 25,000 people, with over half a million people losing their homes to the disaster.
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Arthur grew up in Armenia with his family before they were forced to flee during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, seeking refuge in Brussels.
"It literally destroyed Armenia and it never recovered. I was at school at the time. I will never forget it," he told Carl Mullan on his podcast Phone Truths.
"I was sitting at the back and we were working and suddenly my teacher, she saved my life.
"It's weird. She said, 'Oh can you bring - whatever', and I was like, 'Okay'. And I remember I was walking from the desk and I was waving and I remember my friends were like, 'Are you drunk?'."
A cabinet then fell down onto his desk where he had been sitting: "Everyone start screaming and the earthquake was starting."
"It was a huge earthquake. It destroyed half of Armenia, it was mental."
The proud father of two beautiful little girls, Blu and Blake, shared that he would do anything for his family to make sure they have a safe and happy life.
“I’d work in a café, serve tables, I’d do anything – I don’t care, I’m so privileged with what I do now, I’m so honoured to be asked to do this and that, but at the same time if that doesn’t work tomorrow I’d do anything to survive and have a beautiful life for my kids."
While he and his husband Brian Dowling are enjoying their life as a family of four, the couple have been the target of online abuse.
Arthur said that despite the criticism, he appreciates those who are supportive and accepts that you cannot please everyone.
“They’re not going to be happy for you because there’s always a jealousy because we are happy,” he said
“I want to make sure my two daughters are protected and no matter what they have Brian and I. As a parent I am learning something new every day.”
Arthur also explained that he doesn't like to compare himself to others, and that if he had paid heed to comparisons, he may not have made it as far in life and his career as he has.
He said: "I don't follow many people, I only follow my friends and people I know. I'm not interested in whatever this person does, I don't get jealous and I never compare myself to someone else.
"I know I made it as a dancer, I smashed it. I worked better than some dancers will dream.
"I've done every stage you could imagine, toured the world, so many thing... but there are better dancers out there than me.
"If I compared myself to the better dancers - I would have never worked."
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English (US) ·