Jill Biden has surprise encounter with rapper Flavor Flav at Paris Olympics

It has been a tumultuous few weeks for the Biden family, culminating in last Sunday's announcement from the president that he was withdrawing from contention for another term in the White House.

The momentous change in plans did not deter first lady Jill Biden from traveling to Paris as planned for the Summer Olympic games, though one of the “celebrity” interactions she had in the City of Lights may portend the notable -- and perhaps somewhat humiliating -- drop-off in status and prestige she is soon poised to experience, as the New York Post reports.

Parisian odd couple

Though Mrs. Biden is accustomed to rubbing shoulders with industry moguls and heads of state, it was in Paris on Saturday that she had a notable encounter with someone few would have predicted.

During a water polo match featuring the USA women's squad, the first lady came face to face with none other than rapper Flavor Flav, formerly of Public Enemy and reality TV fame.

The surprise meeting was documented in video format on Flav's own X account, where the flamboyant entertainer was seen gleefully embracing Mrs. Biden.

“I love all the support Women's Water Polo is getting,,,ya boy is so appreciative that the First Lady came to the First Game. THANK YOU @flotus Dr. Jill Biden for all the support of you and your family,” he wrote.

Though the sport of water polo may not immediately spring to mind as something in which Flavor Flav would have a particular interest, but he was reportedly impressed by an Instagram post from USA team captain Maggie Steffens and subsequently offered to “sponsor the whole team,” due to his self-declared status as “a girl dad and supporter of all women's [sports].”

Maximizing exposure

Though Flavor Flav might not be everyone's idea of an A-list celebrity, Mrs. Biden had no shortage of high-profile socializing to enjoy at other points during her Olympic tour, as Vogue reported.

On Saturday, the first lady took part in a glitzy affair at Ralph's Restaurant, with a number of attendees again sporting their Ralph Lauren-designed opening ceremony outfits.

Held after the aforementioned women's water polo match, the party included not only Jill Biden, but other luminaries such as Nick Jonas, actress Jessica Chastain, and a host of Olympic athletes, past and present.

The first lady, according to Vogue, was “the unofficial guest of honor of the night,” a tribute that was likely a welcome reprieve from the political and familial upheaval back in Washington.

Mrs. Biden was feted by the glamorous partygoers, a group that included legendary film director Spike Lee, who was said to have embodied continental charm by kissing the first lady's hand.

Enjoying it while it lasts

Amid the controversy and internal party pressure faced by Joe Biden in recent weeks, some observers speculated that he had lingered so long before exiting his campaign due largely to his wife's desire for him to remain in power and to retain the status and celebrity access to which she had grown accustomed.

Whether that assessment is true or not, Mrs. Biden appears to have made a point of enjoying the perks of her current position while at the Olympics this weekend and given that her husband's tenure in office now has a clearly defined expiration date, she may as well life the high life while she still can.