A person with Dwarfism who featured at Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party has broken his silence on how the performers were treated after it was revealed that the Spanish government has demanded an investigation into the controversial event amid claims of discrimination.
The Barcelona super-starlet celebrated the milestone with a lavish ‘mafia-themed’ event at a private estate, alongside team-mates including Alejandro Balde and Gavi, friends, and family.
But as pictures from the event began to circulate on social media, so too did a report from an Instagram model who alleged that 12 women with a ‘certain breast size’ had been paid to attend the party.
The bash also caught the attention of the Association of People with Adondroplasia and Other Sketeal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE), who threatened legal action if the teenager was found to have violated discrimination laws.
It was not immediately clear in the aftermath of the party that role that the hired entertainers with Dwarfism had played, but there was concern from the country’s General Director of Disability Jesus Martin that as a role model, Yamal’s alleged conduct might have an influence on others.
But amid the speculation, one of those hired by Yamal has given an interview lambasting earlier claims and stressing that the Spain international had done nothing wrong.
‘No one disrespected us, let us work in peace,’ the entertained – who opted to remain anonymous – told RAC1, via Marca. ‘I don’t understand why there’s so much hype about it.
‘We’re just normal people doing what we want in a completely normal legal manner.
The entertainer insisted that the public uproar comes amid a time when there are increased limits on his ability to perform, adding: ‘For a couple of years now, these people have been harming us.
‘They want to prohibit a job we love, and in no case have they offered work or courses to those affected. We work as entertainers. Why can’t we do it? Because of our physical conditions?
The performer hit out directly at the president of ADEE too, continuing: ‘There’s a new president who feels inferior, and wants to screw the rest of us.
‘We know what our limit is and we never cross it. We’re not monkeys in a fair.’
Having signed a confidentiality agreement before performing for Yamal and his guests, the entertainer was unable to share the specifics of the party, but did disclose that their role was to: ‘dance, give away shots, do magic – there are all kinds of shows’.
Afterwards, the performers were invited to join the party.
‘Everyone had a great time,’ he added. ‘All this fuss started because it was Lamine Yamal’s party.’
The statement released by ADEE read: ‘The ADEE, a member organization of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), condemns and publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at the recent 18th birthday party of soccer player Lamine Yamal.
‘The Association announces that it will take legal and social action to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities, considering that these actions violate not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful.’
ADEE president Carolina Puente added ‘It’s unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties, and even more serious when these incidents involve public figures like Lamine Yamal.
‘The dignity and rights of our community are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances.
‘Shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities or other circumstances are used to provoke mockery, ridicule, or derision from the public in a manner contrary to the respect due to human dignity are prohibited.
‘When a person with social influence participates in these types of situations, the damage is even greater, because it conveys to society – especially to young people -that discrimination is acceptable.
‘We must eradicate the objectification of difference and educate people in respect and equity.
‘We will not remain silent. We will defend the dignity and rights of our community in all areas, and we will demand accountability so that acts like these never happen again.’
‘We invite all people with achondroplasia or skeletal dysplasia to contact the Association: we are here to support, guide, and build new opportunities.’
As per Spanish law, shows which seek to mock or denigrate people with disabilities are prohibited, with any breach of the law set to incur a fine of between €600,000 and €1million (£521,700 and £896,000) under incoming legislation.
Although little is known about most of the events of the party, and the attendees, one suspected invitee shared pictures on social media of her outfit for the proceedings.
‘Dress code: mafia’, influencer Marta Diaz captioned a slew of photos taken before her arrival at the plush venue.
Diaz was one of a number of names invited to the bash, including Dominican artist Chimbala, Ozuna, Ferrari star Charles Leclerc, IShowSpeed, and Barcelona team-mates including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
Yamal was content to show his followers on social media ‘just 1 minute’ from inside the venue, where guests were not permitted to take photographs with cameras or mobile phones.
The LaLiga winner dressed for the occasion in a white suit, accessorised with sunglasses, a cane, and a £300,000 diamond necklace with his initials gifted to him by Dominican rapper El Alfa.
One invitee however was quick to claim that she had been paid to attend, with Claudia Calvo – Miss Teenager Spain 2021 and Miss Teenager Europe 2022 – telling Spanish television that organisers had allegedly looked to hire women with a particular look.
She claimed the women would have been paid up to 20,000 euros, but would need to be available for 24 hours, with the location of the event not disclosed to them.
Calvo also alleged she had backed out of the event after receiving the list of demands
‘I have screenshots of everything, the conversations, they told me that the fee would be a certain amount between 10,000 and 20,000 euros,’ Calvo told Tardear TV.
‘But the truth is that you don’t really know what you’re getting into, because they don’t tell you what they really expect from you beyond “having a good time” at the party.
‘They asked for blonde girls with a certain breast size,’ Calvo claimed, adding organisers were looking for ‘models or escorts’.
Yamal has not publicly commented on Calvo’s claims or criticism from the ADEE.
