Serena Williams is involved in a controversy after she was denied entry to a restaurant in Paris. This incident has sparked an online debate, with some people saying the tennis star “deserves” this treatment.
This event is part of the eight biggest controversies that have surrounded the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Paris 2024 Olympics have had their share of drama, with several incidents attracting global attention. One of these moments involved Serena Williams being turned away from a restaurant in Paris, leading to a lot of reactions online.
This situation is just one of many high-profile scandals that have affected the Olympic Games. It is among eight controversies that have ignited discussions and taken over headlines around the world.
Source: Getty Images
Serena Williams expressed her frustration on August 5, 2024, after being denied entry to a luxury hotel’s rooftop restaurant in Paris.
The tennis star, who recently served as a torchbearer at the Olympics opening ceremony, posted on X, “Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids. Always a first. #Olympic2024.”
In response to Williams’ complaint, the restaurant apologized for her disappointment. They explained, “Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was fully booked, and the only empty tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was also fully reserved.”
The restaurant highlighted that they have always been pleased to welcome Williams and are ready to do so again in the future.
Many online users sided with the restaurant, saying that Williams should have made a reservation like everyone else. One user remarked, “She deserves the same treatment as anyone else. Quit being a celebrity worshiper.”
Another user agreed, saying, “She deserves the same treatment as the rest of us; maybe next time she’ll book a table.” Some users were more critical, stating, “Don’t apologize to this infantile person! She deserves a Happy Meal, nothing more!”
Others asked Williams sarcastically, “Oh no, they treated you like one of the common folk?! Did you tell them who you are?” Another noted, “Why upset? This is their policy. Equal for everyone.”
One person complained that anyone who defends this behavior is just as entitled, saying, “Imagine if you’re getting surgery in an hour and the best surgeon is told to drop you for someone wealthier—what then?”
Another user told Serena Williams to apologize to the restaurant for her behavior, saying, “So you just expected someone else to lose their seat because you are Serena. Sorry, your privilege card doesn’t work everywhere.”
A user pointed out that Williams was not denied entry since the restaurant was booked. They added that if she lost a table to someone more famous, she would have been upset, too.
“These could have been anniversary dinners or proposals or people saving for a year to eat there—come on. Hurting their revenue is not cool,” explained the user.
Thus, many social media users supported the restaurant, criticizing Williams for not making a reservation and accusing her of entitlement.
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes Criticized for Being ‘Irritating’ in the Stands
Hollywood stars Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, usually private, drew attention during their recent visit to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with their rarely-seen kids. Their style and accessories caught the eyes of many online.
On August 4, the couple was seen at the dressage individual Grand Prix freestyle at the Château de Versailles. Gosling wore a plaid red shirt, a white Paris 2024 cap, and dark sunglasses.
Later, the couple attended the women’s uneven bars final at Bercy Stadium with their daughters, Esmeralda and Amada, who wore a yellow dress and a white sweater.
At the stadium, Gosling and Mendes wore the same sunglasses and outfits as before. However, Gosling changed his white cap for a green Olympic hat, while Mendes did not wear any headgear.
Despite their attempts to blend in, their choice of accessories drew criticism. “The sunglasses. Why do ‘celebrities’ do this? It’s especially irritating during interviews,” a critic commented.
“Why are they wearing sunglasses inside?” another questioned. “Was this event outside? If not, they look ridiculous,” one noted. “If you’re trying to be incognito, take your sunglasses off when inside watching gymnastics,” another exclaimed.
Someone criticized Mendes, suggesting she tried to “stand out” and expressed annoyance that “celebrities are the best things.”
While some fans were frustrated, others made jokes about the situation. “Are the sunglasses supposed to keep them incognito? Don’t think it worked,” one remarked, while another said, “The sun must have been blazing inside there in France.”
Additionally, the online community commented on Mendes’ lips. “What’s with her lips?” a user wondered. “Just a little more filler in the lips, Eva,” noted one, while another suggested, “Eva needs to lay off the lip filler.”
Despite the criticisms, some fans defended the couple and expressed their admiration. One declared, “Hottest couple award!” and another said, “So glad for them, cute couple!”
Despite mixed reactions to their Olympic outing with their kids, they seem to be enjoying their time in Paris. The couple is taking in the events, making rare public appearances together, and focusing on family.
Candace Cameron Bure Criticizes Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony for Mocking Christian Faith
The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony is facing backlash on social media, including criticism from actress Candace Cameron Bure.
She shared her disappointment in an Instagram video, claiming the ceremony mocked Christian beliefs by portraying something similar to Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
In the clip, Bure explained she was hesitant to comment on the opening ceremony to avoid becoming a headline, but the issue was too important to ignore.
Bure mentioned her connection to the Olympics, noting that her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law are all Olympic medalists and love the Games. She fondly recalled watching marathoners during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a child.
Reflecting on this year’s Olympics, she said, “To watch such a wonderful event over the next two weeks and see the opening ceremonies mock the Christian faith was disgusting. It made me sad.”
Bure said someone told her not to feel sad but to focus on being angry instead. She stated, “Trust me, it makes me mad, but I’m sad for souls.”
Bure’s statement came after the Olympic Games explained the opening ceremony’s meaning on X, formerly Twitter. They said, “The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between humans.”
After this clarification, Bure stated that many have tried to “correct” her views. However, she argued that Dionysus was “a god of lust, insanity, and ritual madness.”
Though the real interpretation has been explained, Bure remains unconvinced. “I still don’t see how that relates to uniting the world through competitive sports or is acceptable for children to watch. In any case, I’m not buying it,” she said.
Lady Gaga Announces Engagement – Users Say He ‘Lowers Her Status’ with His Look
Lady Gaga recently got engaged to her longtime love and entrepreneur Michael Polansky! The singer shared this exciting news during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, prompting various reactions from fans and critics.
Gaga revealed her engagement with Polansky at the Paris Olympics. The announcement came during an intimate moment with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who posted a TikTok video showing Gaga introducing Polansky as “my fiancé.”
After the announcement, fans flooded social media with congratulatory messages. One wrote, “She was awesome, and congratulations on your engagement. You deserve to be happy.”
Another said, “Gaga is engaged,” while a surprised fan exclaimed, “OMG THEY’RE GETTING MARRIED!!?? This is so special I’m so happy and proud.” A longtime observer of Gaga’s love life added, “Oh boy, it’s her 3rd engagement. Hope this is the one.”
However, not all reactions were positive. Critics questioned Polansky’s suitability, with one remarking, “She’s too pretty to be with him .” Another criticized, “You’re so iconic and then have a boyfriend like this?! With no fashion sense—who is she kidding?”
Another skeptic added, “Her boyfriend makes her look really bad and lowers her status. Is she okay?” Amidst the mixed reactions, some fans defended the couple, saying, “There’s something special she sees in him that we don’t.”
Gaga sparked engagement rumors back in April when fans noticed a stunning new diamond ring on her left hand.
This eye-catching ring led to speculation about an engagement, especially since the multi-Grammy winner has been dating Polansky since 2019.
Even as their love blossoms, the couple has faced breakup rumors. In March 2023, reports claimed that Gaga and Polansky had split due to differences over marriage and children.
Despite these claims, a source close to the couple said their split was friendly, and they remained friends. But just when it seemed like their relationship was over, Gaga and Polansky made a public comeback.
Online Users Question Snoop Dogg as 2024 Olympic Torchbearer
American rapper Snoop Dogg surprised many as a torchbearer for the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. While some disapproved of his role, the star shared his view on why he was chosen for the honor.
The 2024 Olympic Games began on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. The event kicked off with over 10,000 athletes gathering on boats on the River Seine for the opening ceremony.
Before the event, it was announced that a well-known hip-hop icon would carry the Olympic torch for its last leg.
Snoop fulfilled his duty by marking the 67th leg of the torch’s journey before the Eiffel Tower. He was joined by other entertainers, including French rapper MC Solaar and French actress Laetitia Casta.
I Found an Envelope in My MIL’s First Aid Kit – She and My Husband Had an Agreement Behind My Back
My mother-in-law’s “helpful” visits after my baby’s birth seemed innocent until I discovered an envelope hidden in her bathroom. What’s worse, the emails inside and legal documents revealed a betrayal that I never saw coming.
I sat in my living room, staring at the mess of baby supplies while my five-month-old son Ethan napped in his swing. Ruth, my mother-in-law, stood in front of me with her perfect posture and concerned smile.
A woman in her 60s smiling while standing in a messy living room full of baby stuff | Source: Midjourney
“Why don’t you all stay at my house for a few days?” she suggested. “I have plenty of room, and you clearly need the support, dear.”
Before I could respond, Nolan jumped in. “That’s a great idea, Mom.” He turned to me, his expression pleading. “It will be good to have some help for a while. And Ethan will be in good hands.”
I wanted to say no. Ruth had been all up in our business since Ethan was born, always showing up unannounced or offering to take him to her house so I could “rest.” At first, I was thankful.
A tired-looking woman in her 30s holding a crying baby in a messy living room | Source: Midjourney
I was beyond exhausted from sleepless nights and juggling everything as a new mom. I didn’t even notice how overbearing she had become.
“You know, when I was raising Nolan, we did things differently. The right way,” she’d say while reorganizing my kitchen cabinets without asking. “Babies need structure, dear. They need experienced hands.”
As the weeks went by, Ruth grew more intense. She even converted her spare bedroom into a full nursery, complete with a crib, changing table, and rocking chair. She also bought duplicates of all of Ethan’s favorite toys.
A baby’s room | Source: Pexels
When I mentioned it seemed excessive, she just laughed. “Oh, Emma, you can never be too prepared! Besides, Ethan needs a proper space at Grandma’s house.”
Now here she was, suggesting we stay at her place. Nolan and her both stared at me expectantly, waiting for an answer.
I couldn’t fight them. I was just too tired. “Sure,” I mumbled. “A few days.”
So we crashed at my mother-in-law’s place for the night, and at exactly 7:30 a.m. the next morning, she was in the guest room doorway.
A woman smiling while standing at a doorway with her hands clasped | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, good morning! It’s the perfect time to get our sweet little pumpkin up. Have you fed him yet? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it,” she chirped.
Trying not to groan, I rose from the bed and walked out of the guest room while she fussed around in the nursery. The surroundings only made me feel worse. Her house was far from welcoming to me.
I always felt like an intruder there. The living room was immaculate, like a museum where nothing was meant to be touched. Family photos covered the walls, mostly of Nolan at various ages, with Ruth front and center in each one.
A home’s hallway with photos hanging on the walls | Source: Midjourney
I should’ve been grateful that we had help from family. Ruth was experienced and organized like no one else in the world. But I just couldn’t shake how uncomfortable this whole situation made me.
Before I reveal what happened next, I will say that you have to trust your intuition, especially after you become a mother. But hindsight is 20-20, right?
Looking back, all the signs were there. Ruth’s constant presence and her subtle criticisms wrapped in sweet concern were red flags. I just hadn’t put all the signs together yet, or I didn’t see how anyone could try to do something so… malicious.
An angry woman with her arms crossed in a messy kitchen | Source: Midjourney
Anyway, Ruth fed and got Ethan back to sleep almost straight away. It was still early, so she managed to convince Nolan to go grocery shopping.
Meanwhile, I had developed a pounding headache, so once they were gone, I went into Ruth’s bathroom to look for some painkillers. I opened her medicine cabinet, saw no pills, and reached for the first aid kit just in case she stored them there.
But something other than the bottles caught my attention. There was a manila envelope shoved in there. Weird. Why would there be an envelope in a first aid kit? It felt extremely out of place. Curiosity got the best of me, so I grabbed it.
A manila envelope | Source: Midjourney
I’m glad I peeked inside, although I would always advocate for other people’s privacy. In this case, though, the universe was telling me to do it.
Because as soon as I realized what I was reading, my blood ran cold. The envelope contained notes and documents that Ruth had carefully prepared. After putting all the puzzle pieces together, the intent was clear: she wanted to take Ethan from me.
The words “Custody Proceedings” jumped out in a particularly wordy set of papers stapled together. I realized with horror that these had been issued by an actual law firm.
A set of legal papers that say “Custody Proceedings” | Source: Midjourney
Aside from that, the notes mentioned my every movement concerning chores and mothering duties:
“Emma sleeping while the baby cries – 10 minutes (photo attached)”
“House in disarray during surprise visit”
“Mother seems uninterested in proper feeding schedule”
All this time, while she was pretending to help, Ruth had been building a case against me. Photos I never knew she’d taken showed me at my worst moments: exhausted, crying, and overwhelmed.
A horrible image showed me breaking down on the back porch the one time I thought no one could see me.
A worried woman standing on the porch of a house | Source: Midjourney
But the real punch to the gut came from the email thread with a family lawyer.
“As discussed, my son Nolan agrees that his wife Emma is unfit to be Ethan’s primary caregiver,” Ruth had written. “She’s too tired to argue, which works in our favor. Soon, Ethan will be where he belongs: with me.”
My husband was involved in this too. I couldn’t even understand how or why. We were struggling, but we were doing fine for first-time parents.
A shocked woman holding papers while standing in a bathroom | Source: Midjourney
My first instinct was to rip everything to shreds or set it on fire right there in her pristine bathroom. Instead, I took out my phone with trembling hands and photographed every single page. I needed evidence.
I had just returned to the living room when Nolan and Ruth came back from their grocery run. My whole body shook with rage as I pulled out the envelope and slammed it on the dining table.
“What is this?” I demanded.
Nolan’s face went pale. “Where did you find this?”
A man looking shocked | Source: Midjourney
Ruth rushed in behind him. “Now, Emma, let me explain. This is all for Ethan’s well-being.”
“His well-being?” I laughed, but it came out more like a sob. “You mean your well-being. You’ve been planning this for months, haven’t you?”
“Emma, you have to understand,” Nolan stammered. “It was just a precaution, in case you didn’t get better.”
“Better?” I turned to him, my voice rising. “Better from what? Being a new mom? How could you? Were you really going to let your mother take our son?”
A woman yelling and gesturing with her hands | Source: Midjourney
Nolan’s next words destroyed whatever was left of our marriage.
“Come on, Emma,” he sighed. “I don’t think we thought it through when you got pregnant. We’re too young for this. You don’t even pay attention to me anymore. Having Mom raising Ethan just makes sense, and we can focus on ourselves.”
“You have GOT to be kidding me!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Are you that selfish? You don’t get enough attention, so you plot to take MY BABY from me?!”
“Emma, don’t yell,” Ruth scolded me. “You’ll wake the baby. You see? You’re too emotional to be a mother. Focus on being a good wife first, and then, we can talk about some visits.”
A woman holding her palm up | Source: Midjourney
I had no more words, though my feelings raged like never before. If I were a dragon, I would’ve burned down her house. But I took a deep breath, focusing on sounding cool and collected when I finally spoke.
“You won’t get away with this.”
With that, I ran to the nursery where Ethan was still sleeping, scooped him up, and headed for the door. Ruth tried to block my path.
Baby sleeping in a crib | Source: Pexels
“Emma, you’re being hysterical. You can’t take this child! We’ll call the police!” she threatened, reaching for Ethan.
I pulled away from her. “Don’t you dare touch him!” I grabbed the diaper bag and my purse. “Call the police and I’ll tell them how you tried to rob a mother of her child! We’ll see who they side with!”
At the door, I turned back and gave my soon-to-be ex-husband a scorching glance as I said, “Stay away from us.”
With that, I left that house and drove straight to my friend Angelina’s house as carefully but as quickly as I could. Luckily, Ethan slept peacefully in his car seat, unaware that his whole world had just shifted.
Baby strapped to a car seat | Source: Pexels
That night, after crying on Angelina’s shoulder and putting Ethan to bed in her spare room, I started making calls. I found a lawyer who specialized in family law and emailed her the photos I’d taken of Ruth’s documents.
The next few weeks were brutal. It was a bunch of legal meetings and court appearances that only made my anxiety skyrocket. Luckily, the police never got involved.
But Ruth and her lawyers tried to argue that she was just a concerned grandmother. She was probably not expecting my representative to use all the gathered notes and photos to prove that her intentions were nothing but manipulative.
An older woman sitting in court with a serious expression | Source: Midjourney
Also, when questioned, Nolan acted like a baby, confessing to doing everything his mother wanted. Once the judge heard that, he understood the truth.
So, Ruth didn’t just lose any chance at custody, but she also got slapped with a restraining order at my lawyer’s insistence. She can’t come within 500 feet of me or Ethan.
I filed for divorce from Nolan one week after custody was settled. The agreement gave him only supervised visitation rights. He didn’t even fight it. He probably knew he didn’t have a leg to stand on after everything that happened before.
Court papers for marriage dissolution | Source: Pexels
Now, Ethan and I are back in our house, making it our own again. To get rid of the painful memories, I painted the walls with new colors, rearranged all the furniture, and got my life together.
Sometimes I still get tired, but what mom doesn’t? Also, it’s much better now that I’m not dealing with a useless husband and a scheming mother-in-law.
And when my days seem endless, I remember Ethan’s sweet smile staring up at me, his momma, and that’s all I need to keep going.
A woman smiling while holding a laughing baby | Source: Midjourney
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