A performer with dwarfism who entertained at Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday party has defended the Barcelona footballer, telling critics to 'let us work in peace'. The lavish event, held at a private estate in Olivella near Barcelona on Sunday night, featured around 200 guests and included entertainers with dwarfism hired to serve drinks, dance, and perform magic tricks.
The party has sparked backlash in Spain, with the Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) threatening legal action. ADEE president Carolina Puente said it was 'unacceptable' that people with dwarfism were used as entertainment, calling it a violation of dignity and rights. The Spanish government has requested an investigation into whether disability laws were breached.
However, one of the performers, who wished to remain anonymous, told Catalan radio station RAC1: 'No one disrespected us, let us work in peace. We're normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way.' The performer accused the ADEE of 'humiliating' people with dwarfism and claimed the president 'wants to screw over' those with the condition.
The entertainer insisted the controversy was only due to Yamal's fame, adding: 'We know what our limit is and we will never exceed it: we are not fairground monkeys.' Yamal has not publicly commented on the matter beyond posting a short video on Instagram with the caption 'Just 1 minute, enjoy it'. Spanish media report he could face a fine of up to €1 million if found guilty of a serious offence.
