Paris Restaurant Responds After Denying Serena Williams and Her Daughters Entry

 By Kingnaafrika | Published on: August 5, 2024

Tennis champion Serena Williams, with an estimated net worth of $340 million, found herself denied entry to one of France’s top hotels during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Accompanied by her husband Alexis Ohanian and their two daughters, Olympia (6) and babygirl Adira (born in December 2023), Williams attempted to have lunch at the Peninsula Paris rooftop restaurant. However, she was met with refusal, sparking outrage and speculation.

Williams took to social media, expressing her surprise: “Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to the rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids. Always a first. #Olympic2024.” The incident quickly gained attention, with many questioning whether racial or national discrimination played a role.

Social media erupted, with one commenter stating, “Everyone knows the French don’t like black folk.” Others pointed to a pattern of mistreatment of athletes of color during the Olympics. Jamaican sprinters Sha’Carri Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce faced challenges, and Jamaican runner Shericka Jackson withdrew from the 200-meter race. Paris, often called “The City of Light,” seemed to reveal a darker side.

The Peninsula Paris responded, claiming their rooftop bar was fully booked when Williams arrived. However, the incident raises broader questions about inclusivity and respect. Williams, who considers Paris her second home, had previously spoken fondly of her time there. Yet, this recent experience highlights the complexities of fame, wealth, and race even for a global icon like Serena Williams.

In the end, the restaurant’s actions sparked a conversation about discrimination, leaving us to ponder: “Famous or not, you’re still a…” ¹.