More than 100 elite women athletes gathered in Las Vegas as rapper and Public Enemy legend Flavor Flav launched the inaugural SHE Weekend, a multi-day celebration dedicated to recognizing women in sports. The event featured a parade along the iconic Las Vegas Strip, appearances from Olympic and Paralympic champions, and special celebrations honoring athletes who continue to shape women’s sports across the United States.
Flavor Flav’s SHE Weekend Pays Homage to Women in Sports
The first-ever Flavor Flav SHE Weekend transformed Las Vegas into a celebration of female athletic excellence. Hosted in partnership with MGM Resorts International, the event highlighted the achievements of women competing at the highest levels while calling for greater recognition and visibility for women’s sports.
Festivities began on Thursday, July 16, when part of Las Vegas Boulevard closed for a parade honoring more than 100 Winter Olympians and Paralympians. Fans lined the Strip as athletes participated in the historic celebration.
The celebration continued Friday at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where athletes from multiple sports gathered for panel discussions, recognition ceremonies and special presentations.
Among those attending were members of the gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Team, including Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, Hayley Scamurra and Laila Edwards. Figure skating stars Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn also joined the festivities alongside Olympic ice dancer Madison Chock, rugby standout and “Dancing With the Stars” alum Ilona Maher, and skeleton athlete Mystique Ro.
During the event, Knight and Carpenter presented Flavor Flav and his longtime manager, Rhiannon Rae Ellis, with custom hockey jerseys. The presentation recognized their continued advocacy for women’s athletics and support for Olympic competitors. Speaking to ESPN, Clark County Commission Chairman Michael Naft praised the initiative, saying officials were pleased to help bring Flavor Flav’s vision to life on the Las Vegas Strip.
Why Flavor Flav Created SHE Weekend
Flavor Flav said the idea grew after noticing the difference in recognition given to Olympic hockey champions. While the U.S. men’s gold medal-winning team received a White House celebration, he felt the U.S. women’s championship team deserved similar recognition.
According to Neon, the star rapper previously spoke about the initiative, stating that he hopes SHE Weekend becomes an annual tradition if the inaugural event proves successful. His commitment to women’s sports has steadily expanded.
In 2025, he became both a sponsor and the official hype man for the United States Olympic Bobsled and Skeleton teams, further strengthening his involvement with Team USA athletes.
Las Vegas Added Special Touches to the Celebration
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas added memorable moments by surprising several athletes with custom-designed desserts created by the resort’s pastry team. Fresh off winning the ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete, Alysa Liu received an interactive chocolate sculpture featuring handcrafted confections.
Hilary Knight celebrated her birthday with a cake decorated with a hand-painted version of her No. 21 jersey, while Mystique Ro received a mountain-themed birthday cake featuring a skeleton sled carrying her dog.
Organizers said the personalized tributes reflected the spirit of SHE Weekend, which focused not only on athletic accomplishments but also on celebrating the personalities and stories behind the competitors.
