Cirque du Soleil Performer Suffers Devastating Fall As Crowd Watches Helplessly

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A performer in a circus costume with heart designs takes a selfie in a backstage area. On the right, the same performer is mid-air above the stage during a live show, highlighted by a yellow circle, reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil's breathtaking acts.

Credit: Inside the Magic

A Cirque du Soleil performer suffered a devastating fall during a live show as hundreds in the crowd watched in helplessness.

Related: Cirque du Soleil Director Dead at 69

A whimsical performer dressed as a jester, with red and yellow striped costume and face paint, smiles while forming a peace sign. In the vibrant background of a live show, acrobats perform daring stunts: one balancing on a chair stack, another wielding a spinning prop, and a third midair—pure Cirque du Soleil magic.
“Kooza”/Credit: Cirque du Soleil

A Devastating Fall Captured on Video

During a live performance of Cirque du Soleil’s new show, KOOZA, an aerial performer fell to the ground below after slipping from a hoop as she twirled above the stage on Saturday at the Portland Expo Center in Portland, Oregon.

Performers in ornate, colorful costumes execute a synchronized dance routine on stage, with a vibrant, elaborately decorated backdrop and theatrical lighting enhancing the scene. The energetic atmosphere suggests a Cirque du Soleil live show.
Credit: Cirque du Soleil

The entire ordeal was captured on video by a 10-year-old spectator in the crowd named Benjamin Goldstein.

“At first, I thought it was part of the show, like, it looked like it was purposefully,” Goldstein said. “But then we’re, like, people were acting weird. I was like, oh, this isn’t part of the show. Something’s up.”

An aerial performer is suspended mid-air on a circular hoop, illuminated by spotlights on a dimly lit stage during a Cirque du Soleil show. A large white arrow points to the performer. Other performers are visible on the ground below, enhancing the atmosphere of this mesmerizing live show.
Credit: Benjamin Goldstein

“It appeared she hit her nose, and there was blood from her nose,” said Benjamin’s father, Brian Goldstein, “She lifted her head up, but she stayed still.”

A live show on stage with dramatic lighting features a figure on the left mid-air, seemingly launched or jumping with an arrow pointing towards them. Another figure stands on the right. The stage, reminiscent of a Cirque du Soleil spectacle, is adorned with red and orange lights.
Credit: Benjamin Goldstein
The video can be seen here:

What Happened to the Performer?

The company’s medical team immediately came to the performer’s aid as the audience was ushered out of the performance hall for approximately 15 minutes before being allowed back inside.

Following the incident, Cirque du Soleil issued a statement about the performer, whose name is Mariia Konfektova, via Facebook, saying:

We would like to assure you that the artist is recovering and being cared for by our medical and coaching team. Safety is of our utmost concern, and they will be cared for until they can return to the show. We do hope you enjoyed the rest of KOOZA.

A performer in a yellow costume with red designs and face paint takes a selfie in a dressing room, preparing for the live show. Other performers and equipment can be seen in the background, evoking the vibrant atmosphere of Cirque du Soleil.
Credit: Instagram/m_knf

Konfektova is a Russian aerialist who holds the Guinness World Record for the most hoop rotations in a 30-second time period.

What Caused the Fall?

In the aftermath of the accident, it was determined that a tiny flaw caused Konfektova to fall.

“Everything from the altitude of Portland to the humidity in the heat to the setting of all of the mechanisms, the apparatus, all of that can be off slightly,” said Portland Tribune editor Dana Haynes in an interview with a local news station. “And each place they go, they were rehearsing, rehearse and rehearse. The coach, in this case, the Australian head coach, told me that the hoop mechanism was off by a centimeter.

Two images show an acrobat suspended high above a stage, highlighted with a yellow circle, performing with silks and a suspended ring amidst dim theatrical lighting. Reminiscent of a Cirque du Soleil live show, the audience watches in awe from the background.
Credit: Benjamin Goldstein

What Exactly is Cirque du Soleil?

Cirque du Soleil is a unique theatrical production company that combines acrobatics, dance, music, and circus acts as storytelling tools. The name is French for “Circus of the Sun.”

The group employs more than 5,000 and has distinguished itself as one of the most successful companies in the entertainment industry. More than 1,300 artists comprise the company’s employee base, and the entertainment troupe now performs on five continents.

A Cirque du Soleil acrobat, clad in patterned yellow and black leggings, is suspended horizontally in the air. Balancing on one arm atop a small platform, he performs his mesmerizing act. The Cirque du Soleil logo and text in gold stand out on the left against a deep blue background.
Credit: Cirque du Soleil

The company was founded by street performers Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix in Quebec, Canada, in 1984. Cirque du Soleil began with just 20 performers, but the company has grown exponentially since that time, becoming an international phenomenon.

Over the years, Cirque du Soleil has produced several iconic shows, including Mystère (1993), the first resident show in Las Vegas, O (1998), a water-themed spectacle at the Bellagio, (2004), which features a colossal moving stage, LOVE (2006), a tribute to The Beatles at The Mirage, and Luzia (2016), a vibrant exploration of Mexican culture.

A vibrant and diverse group of acrobats and performers in colorful costumes pose dramatically on stage with mist and blue lighting, reminiscent of a Cirque du Soleil live show. The central figure is elevated, supported by another performer. The backdrop and reflections create a mystical ambiance.
“O” in Las Vegas/Credit: Cirque du Soleil

Each show offers a unique theme, blending innovative set designs and performances that push the boundaries of human physicality and imagination.

This year, Cirque du Soleil continues its legacy of innovation with ECHO, a new show that delves into the themes of connections and environmental awareness. ECHO premiered in Montreal and is scheduled for performances across various cities in North America and Europe.

Cirque du Soleil’s Growth Over the Years

Cirque du Soleil has generated billions in revenue, becoming one of the most profitable entertainment companies worldwide.

Despite challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced temporary closures of its shows, the company rebounded strongly.

A vibrant, theatrical scene mimics a Cirque du Soleil performance, featuring four performers in elaborate costumes against a blue-lit background. From left to right: a person in green and gold, a zebra-striped figure, a person in red and white feathers, and one in white holding a cup. They are striking dynamic poses.
Credit: Cirque du Soleil

Over the course of its four-decade history, Cirque du Soleil has earned more than $5 billion, garnering revenue from a vast array of live performances, film productions, and merchandise.

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