Controversy over Lamine Yamal's party: people of short stature hired for entertainment?

Controversy over Lamine Yamal's party: people of short stature hired for entertainment?

On July 15, 2025, FC Barcelona's rising soccer star Lamine Yamal celebrated his 18th birthday in a magnificent villa in Olivella, Spain. Around 200 guests were invited to the festive event, including numerous teammates and celebrities. Due to rules enforced upon entry, guests were not allowed to bring cell phones; This makes it almost impossible to get pictures or videos from the party, as Trendyone reports.

However, another detail is causing plenty of conversation. A video shows a group of short people who were hired to entertain the guests. This decision sparked a wave of outrage. The ADEE association, which advocates for the rights of people with short stature, has already filed a complaint and sees the appearance as a clear violation of applicable laws that protect the dignity of people with disabilities. In this context, the Spanish Ministry of Social Affairs has also called in the public prosecutor's office to check whether the Disability Act was violated in this case, we learn from Laola1.

criticism and defense

ADEE President Carolina Puente was critical of the event, describing the employment of people with dwarfism for entertainment as untenable in 2025. Such a practice is already prohibited by law in Spain. However, resistance also came from one of the entertainers affected. He defended the performance, arguing that they were treated professionally and appeared at the functions to provide dancing, magic tricks and drinks.

But the controversies surrounding the celebration are not the only ones: before the party, another incident also caused a stir. Model Claudia Calvo announced that she was invited to attend the event for $17,500. However, she declined this offer after becoming suspicious as her request also included “models or escorts”.

Social context

Amid these controversies, the social context cannot be neglected. A constitutional amendment is currently being made in Spain to remove discriminatory terms about people with disabilities. This initiative aims to reform Article 49 of the Spanish Constitution in order to modernize the terminology and emphasize the equality of all citizens, as reported by Mallorca Services. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez apologized during the debate for past discrimination and promised to provide more funding for disability facilities.

It remains to be seen what impact the current events surrounding Lamine Yamal's party will have on society's perception of people with disabilities. What is certain is that the pressure on those responsible to take action against discrimination and prejudice is growing.