Vandalism Strikes Mural of Barcelona Star Lamine Yamal Amid Controversial Birthday Party

Mural Defaced in Barcelona

A mural honoring Lamine Yamal, the emerging talent from Barcelona, located in Plaza Joanic, has been vandalized. The defacement included derogatory references to dwarfism.

This mural was created to commemorate Yamal's 18th birthday last month, portraying him as Superman with an 'L' emblazoned on his chest instead of the traditional 'S'. Although there were earlier concerns about potential damage attributed to AI-generated images, this incident is confirmed as genuine vandalism. Journalist Edu Polo shared images of the damaged mural, which now features illustrations of the Seven Dwarfs from the Snow White tale.

Controversy Surrounding Birthday Celebration

This act of vandalism coincides with a broader controversy regarding Yamal's recent birthday celebration, which has faced backlash for allegedly exploiting individuals with dwarfism. Reports indicated that the party included dwarves and scantily clad women, who were purportedly compensated for their attendance. It was claimed that five men with Achondroplasia were registered for the event, while women meeting certain physical criteria were allowed entry.

Yamal's birthday bash, held on July 13 with around 200 attendees, has drawn criticism for its organization. Jesus Martin, the General Director of Disability in Spain, has called for an official inquiry, expressing concern about the implications of such actions on Yamal's young admirers.

Allegations of Inappropriate Hiring Practices

The party took place at a private estate themed around the Mafia. Spanish model Calvo, who previously held titles such as Miss Teenager Spain and Miss Teenager Europe, revealed that she was approached by event organizers looking to hire 12 blonde women with specific breast sizes, offering up to €20,000 for 24 hours of their time. After reviewing the requirements, Calvo opted out, feeling uneasy about the undisclosed expectations and the secrecy surrounding the event.

Calvo noted that the organizers were particularly interested in 'models or escorts', further intensifying the controversy surrounding the party and the subsequent vandalism of Yamal's mural.