Flavor Flav Says the Highlight of His Year Was Attending the Paris Olympics: It Was 'the Greatest Thing Ever' (Exclusive)
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12/09/2024 02:43 PM
The rapper — who was joined by Team USA women's water polo players Ashleigh Johnson and Maggie Steffens — spoke to PEOPLE exclusively at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball
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Flavor Flav at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in Inglewood, Calif. in 2024Flavor Flav will always have Paris!
The "Shake Your Booty" rapper, 65, spoke to PEOPLE exclusively while attending the 2024 iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball in Inglewood, Calif. on Friday, Dec. 6, where he opened up about the upcoming holidays, his love for his fans, and how attending the Paris Summer Olympics was the "highlight" of his year.
"Watching my water polo team do their thing. Watching Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles win their medals. Being at the rugby game and watching the girls rugby team win their bronze medals," he recalled, adding, "I mean, just being there and being in that moment was just the greatest thing ever."
Flav — who sponsored the Team USA women's water polo team — also took the moment to showcase his new Paris Olympic-themed signature clock, which he says was gifted to him by Team USA water polo players Ashleigh Johnson and Maggie Steffens.
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Flavor Flav at the Paris Olympics in 2024"They gifted me this wonderful clock right here. And I ain't going to lie, but as I talk to you right now, I'm still in shock."
"They mean the world to me, you know what I'm saying?" he continued, "And not just those two, but the whole water polo team. Because those girls, they did their thing this year and I'm proud of them."
"I get emotional right now looking at it and talking about it," Flav — who brought Johnson and Steffans as his guests for the evening, added. "But it is like a family reunion. Every time I see them, we family. I'm happy to see my family."
Flav previously noted that he decided to sponsor the team after hearing they were in need of support.
"There's a lot of women, I'm saying that all they want is just a chance," Flav told PEOPLE in May. "And all they want to do is feel like they got a chance. So I just wanted to help out and help give women that chance that they are looking for."
Related: Flavor Flav and U.S. Women's Water Polo Team Reunite for Las Vegas Celebration: 'Imma So Proud'
During a July appearance on CBS Morning with Steffens (the team's captain), Flav revealed that his sponsorship would also include a Virgin Voyage cruise as well as a $1,000 bonus for all team members.
"That's amazing!" Steffens — who looked shocked — said while smiling widely. "I'm elated, that's amazing. Thank you so much!"
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"These women out here… the women's water polo team they out there bustin' their butt to make United States look good," Flav said while explaining the gesture. "And they chasin' this dream, you know what I'm sayin'?"
Looking ahead, the rapper also talked to PEOPLE about his upcoming holiday plans during the iHeartRadio event.
"Honestly, it looks like, oh man, it looks crazy," the "Platnum" singer said. "The reason why I say that is because a lot of good and different things are going to be going on, but good things though. You know what I'm saying? A lot of Christmas gifts, a lot of family coming in and out and a lot of food going in and out."
