A video clip showing a group of people with dwarfism arriving at Barcelona star Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday party has ignited a controversy, prompting a legal investigation and sparking debate about discrimination and the rights of entertainers.
Yamal, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday with a lavish, mafia-themed party at a private estate near Barcelona, faces scrutiny after reports emerged that he hired people with dwarfism as entertainers. The event, attended by teammates, friends, and celebrities, has drawn criticism from disability rights groups and led to an investigation by the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights.
The Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) has publicly denounced the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment, stating that it "perpetuates stereotypes, fuels discrimination, and undermines the image and rights" of people with disabilities. The organization has vowed to take legal and social action against those responsible.
In response to the controversy, the Ministry of Social Rights has asked the prosecutor's office to investigate the event to determine whether the law has been violated and the rights of people with disabilities have been infringed. Jesús Martín Blanco, director of the ministry, told Europa Press that such hirings "take us back to the Middle Ages".
Despite the backlash, one of the entertainers who attended Yamal's party has defended the event, stating that they were treated with respect and allowed to work in peace. The entertainer, who remained anonymous, told Catalan radio station RAC1 that they dance, deliver drinks, and perform magic tricks to entertain guests at events. They also complained about the reaction against Yamal for hiring them. The performer added that "No one disrespected us".
The entertainer also said, "All this fuss has come about purely because it was Lamine Yamal's party". Furthermore, the entertainer voiced frustration with those criticizing the work, stating that "They want to prevent us from doing what we like, but they have not offered any work or training to those who are affected".
The controversy surrounding Yamal's birthday party highlights the ongoing debate about the representation and treatment of people with dwarfism in entertainment. While some view such performances as demeaning and discriminatory, others argue that they provide employment opportunities and should be respected as a legitimate form of work.
