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 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.
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.”
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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, KÀ (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.
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.
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.