Streamer BenDaDonnn’s Rolex Store Altercation Sparks Debate Over Filming Rights and Celebrity Privacy
A viral clip is making waves online after streamer and comedian BenDaDonnn, known for his bold style and 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, got into a heated argument with security outside a Rolex boutique in what appears to be a European city. The altercation, captured on video and posted to X (formerly Twitter) by @clip_chase yesterday (August 12), has racked up over 737,000 views — fueled by the added intrigue that Canadian rapper Drake was reportedly inside the store at the time.
What Actually Happened
The footage shows BenDaDonnn (real name Benjamin De Almeida) standing on a sunny sidewalk outside a Rolex store adorned with signature green awnings and glass displays. Wearing a white Billionaire Boys Club T-shirt, a red bandana scarf, and his own jewelry, Ben gestures animatedly at a security guard in a black polo shirt who blocks the entrance.
From the start, the tension is clear. The guard tells Ben he can’t film outside the store, prompting Ben to push back. “Yeah, literally nobody was filming in your store, gang,” he insists, pointing out that his friends are inside. Then, as the exchange heats up, Ben boasts, “I got way more Rolexes than y’all probably got in there. Yeah, and I got billionaire lady—you talking to the wrong [person].”
Ben invokes the First Amendment — an odd point given the likely European location, where U.S. free speech laws don’t apply. The store’s no-filming policy, however, is standard practice among luxury retailers to reduce security risks, prevent potential casing for robberies, and maintain client privacy, especially during high-profile visits like Drake’s.
Why Drake’s Presence Mattered
The rumor that Drake was inside adds a layer of celebrity intrigue. The rapper is famously obsessed with luxury watches, including rare Rolex models like a platinum Day-Date Arabic Ref. 228396TBR valued in the hundreds of thousands. He’s known to make big-ticket purchases on trips abroad. Also, just last month he gifted a $200,000 Rolex to NELK Boys’ Kyle Forgeard.
High-profile customers often lead luxury brands to quietly ramp up security measures and enforce filming bans more strictly, both inside and directly outside stores. In this case, even though BenDaDonnn was outside, the guard was clear. There is no filming allowed near the entrance.
Who Is BenDaDonnn?
BenDaDonnn, 25, has built a large following across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. He’s done it with a mix of comedy skits, livestream antics, and celebrity interactions. Also, he’s known to push limits in pursuit of viral moments. As a result, his antics range from roasting security guards to challenging NBA stars on camera. His association with Drake isn’t new. He’s appeared in skits alongside the rapper. In addition, he was spotted backstage at Drake’s Wireless Festival performance last month.
In that festival appearance, Ben also made headlines for flirting with female security and playfully pressing celebrities like Devin Booker and DDG. Therefore, reinforcing his reputation for bold — sometimes brash — behavior.
The Cultural Context: Streamers vs. Store Policies
This Rolex store standoff highlights a growing tension between online content creators and the private spaces they film in. Streamers often see public sidewalks and store exteriors as fair game for filming, while luxury retailers view any recording in their vicinity as a potential security or privacy risk.
Luxury watch stores in particular are on guard, given the rise in high-profile robberies and resale market scams. In Europe, filming restrictions can be more aggressively enforced, and citing U.S. constitutional rights carries no legal weight.
For content creators like BenDaDonnn, these restrictions can feel like obstacles to their livelihood, especially when celebrity encounters are at stake. For stores, it’s about protecting clients and merchandise from potential threats.
How Social Media Reacted
The clip has sparked thousands of reactions, many mocking Ben’s comments and wealth flex. User @FollowThisXimo quipped, “way more rolex than the rolex store,” while @Direktor09 noted, “You know you offended somebody when they rattle off things they have lol.” Others defended Ben’s right to film, with @playdoboicarti saying, “wtf you can film outside any establishment you want under the first amendment,” though again, that argument doesn’t hold in Europe.
Some users criticized the trend of influencers clashing with retail workers. “Why streamers treating workers like shi lately,” wrote @Lender1John, adding that security guards are “just doing what they’re told.”
Overall, responses skewed critical, portraying Ben as entitled while sympathizing with the guard for maintaining professionalism.
No Legal Fallout, But Plenty of Public Debate
As of press time, there’s no indication of legal consequences for BenDaDonnn or the store. The incident appears to have ended without physical confrontation. After all, Ben walked away after making his point. However, the viral spread of the clip has fueled broader discussions about influencer culture, wealth flexing, and how celebrity proximity changes public behavior.
It also raises the question of whether luxury retailers should better communicate their filming policies outside their premises, or if influencers should adapt their content strategies when abroad.
BenDaDonnn’s Brand and Boundaries
This isn’t the first time Ben’s on-camera antics have drawn both laughs and criticism. His style thrives on spontaneity, confrontation, and humor — but it also flirts with conflict, especially in controlled environments like high-end shopping districts. By challenging a security guard over filming rights, he added another viral moment to his portfolio, but at the cost of reinforcing the “entitled streamer” narrative.
His defenders argue that such confrontations are part of what makes his content engaging. He pushes back where others might comply. Critics counter that it’s less about free speech and more about respecting boundaries, especially when luxury clientele (like Drake) are involved.
Celebrity, Content, and Clout
Ultimately, the Rolex store standoff is a snapshot of the current media ecosystem. That is celebrity sightings fuel content creation, content creation fuels online discourse, and online discourse fuels influencer relevance. BenDaDonnn may not have gotten his desired footage of Drake. However, he left with something arguably more valuable for a streamer — a viral clip that keeps his name in conversations.
For Drake, this is just another day in the luxury shopping life. However, his rumored presence was acting as a magnet for both fans and controversy. For Rolex, it’s a reminder of the balancing act between exclusivity, security, and public perception.
The post BenDaDonnn clashes with Rolex security allegedly because Drake was inside the store [VIDEO] appeared first on Hip Hop Vibe.
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