Snoop Dogg turns awkward payment moment into Olympic surprise for Italian family

Even global superstars have unexpected hiccups, and this week, Snoop Dogg turned one into a moment of generosity during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

While visiting Livigno, Snoop stopped by a local restaurant, Cronox, and placed a takeout order that included a cheeseburger, chicken wings, chicken nuggets and fries. But when staff attempted to process his payment, the card didn’t go through.

Rather than making an issue of it, the restaurant owners told Snoop and his team not to worry about the bill.

“He sent his staff to take it and pay, but they couldn’t pay,” said Sofia Valmadre, the owner’s daughter, in an interview with NBC. “I don’t know why. it wasn’t going. So my mother told him that it was okay to take the food without paying.”

But the story didn’t end there. The following day, Snoop paid the kindness forward, sending the family five tickets to an Olympic final as a thank-you gesture.

“Today, he sent us five tickets to see the final,” Valmadre said.

Snoop’s Olympic experience in Italy

Snoop Dogg has been in Italy serving as a special correspondent during the Winter Games, popping up at venues, interacting with athletes and trying out Olympic sports himself, sometimes with mixed results.

Appearing on the Today show, Snoop revealed that he attempted ice sports for the first time during filming, including bobsledding.

“That was my first time ever doing something like that on ice,” he said. “I’d do it again… I would never do bobsledding again. That’s just not me.”

Between assignments, the hip-hop icon has also been spotted enjoying the Italian atmosphere, including sharing a drink with actor Stanley Tucci at a local bar, a moment that quickly caught attention online.

Snoop’s role at the Olympics goes beyond entertainment. He’s repeatedly emphasized that his presence is meant to amplify unity, joy and connection during the Games.

“I am the love vessel right now, and I love that I am the peace messenger,” he said. “It’s about bringing the world together to celebrate sports and unity.”

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