Arthur Gourounlian, Part 1: “Be kind, love each other, and support each other.”

“Every child needs love” (2:25), Arthur shares how his love for life has him shine, be positive, confident in this world and make life beautiful from his time as a refugee to going out and having all his successes (11:23), Arthur’s and Brian’s inspirational focus to always make time for their kids but also to work hard for their children (35:38).

 

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Arthur Gourounlian

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

 

Follow Arthur

THE AG LOOK

Death Becomes Him by BDG

TIKTOK @arthurgourounlian

Website: Arthur Gourounlian

Instagram: @gourounlian

Facebook: @arthurgourounlian

Vimeo @arthurgourounlian

 

Follow Us 

Instagram @creativemamasunplugged

Facebook @creativemamasunplugged

Apple Podcasts  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Spotify  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Amazon Music  @CreativeMamasUnplugged  

YouTube  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

iHeart Radio  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Podbean  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

 

Arthur Gourounlian is a Creative Director, Choreographer, Professional Dancer, and Author. He is also a judge on Dancing With The Stars Ireland. In March 2023, Arthur and his husband Brian released their documentary on RTÉ One. Brian and Arthur’s Very Modern Family encapsulates their journey with surrogacy in Ireland. In October 2023, Arthur released his first book, Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian’s Modern Family: Births, Marriage, Deaths and Everything in Between, which was a number-one bestseller. In 2025, Arthurtook part in High Road Low Road on RTÉ One alongside Donal Skehan. Arthur was born in Armenia in 1980, but his family was forced to flee when he was just 13 years old as a result of his country's war with Azerbaijan and sought asylum in Belgium. Arthur initially trained as a barber before travelling across Europe working as a dancer in nightclubs.

Arthur has a successful career as a back-up dancer for musicians including, One Direction, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Girls Aloud, Beyoncé, P!nk, Pussycat Dolls, Bananarama, Will Young, Kylie Minogue and Cheryl. As a creative director, he has worked on campaigns for some of the most recognisable brands in the world including Christian Louboutin, Diesel, Puma, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Mary Kay, Walkers Crisps, and Coca-Cola. In 2019, he 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, Arthur 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. Arthur Gourounlian and Brian Dowling Gourounlian created the Death Becomes Him podcast in 2020. When Brian lost his mum, Rosie, in 2018, it changed his outlook on life. Grief is a complicated journey, and Brian is joined by his nearest and dearest as they grow to understand death through open conversation, humour, and honesty. The numb