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Aditya Gokhale

'No one disrespected us' - Lamine Yamal defended over 18th birthday party as entertainers hired by Barcelona wonderkid respond to allegations

Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party has come under scrutiny after reports revealed that entertainers with dwarfism were hired, sparking a backlash from advocacy group Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Bone Dysplasias (ADEE). However, one of the performers has defended the event, insisting no one was disrespected, and calling the controversy unfair and damaging to their profession.

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  • Entertainer at Yamal's party defends work amid controversy
  • Dwarf performer says backlash unfair, show was respectful
  • Legal row erupts despite artist insisting on professionalism
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Barcelona superstar Yamal’s 18th birthday party featured a Dominican rapper's performance, a mafia-themed dress code, and, surprisingly, entertainers with dwarfism. It was the latter part of the arrangements that led to criticism from ADEE, which called the entertainment degrading to people with similar conditions. The group has begun legal proceedings against the organisers. However, one of the artists has pushed back, saying the event was respectful and entirely legal.

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    WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

    Speaking to RAC1, one of the entertainers said: "No one disrespected us, let us work in peace. I don't understand why there's so much hype. We're normal people who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way."

    "(ADEE) is humiliating people with dwarfism. For a couple of years now, these people have been harming us; they want to ban a job that we like, and in no case have they offered jobs or courses to the affected people. We work as entertainers. Why can't we do it? Because of our physical condition?"

    The entertainer accused the association of acting out of internal politics after a leadership change: "There is a new president who feels self-conscious and wants to screw us others. We know what our limit is and we will never exceed it: we are not fairground monkeys. We dance, we distribute drinks, we do magic ... there are many types of shows."

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The artist, who asked to remain anonymous, also said they performed dancing, served drinks, and did magic, with the show lasting an hour. He added that afterwards, they joined the rest of the party “like everyone else” and claimed the backlash only exists "because it was Lamine Yamal's party."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?

    While legal action from ADEE remains ongoing, the entertainer’s public comments could shift the narrative and spark broader debate about agency, representation, and performance work. Yamal’s representatives have yet to issue a public response but the Spanish government is set to launch an investigation.