An Alaska Airlines flight attendant says she was “wrongfully fired” after participating in a social media challenge and posting the video online. However, she has started a GoFundMe earlier this month after losing her job—and it has social media in an uproar.
Nelle Diala uploaded the clip of her twerking to TikTok in an aircraft cabin last year with a caption describing herself as a “ghetto bih.” In the video, she is donning an Alaska Airlines uniform while dancing to the song “Ghetto” by artist E.K.E.
“Don’t let the uniform fool you,” she also said in the post, which has since received thousands of likes. However, since her termination, Diala has launched a GoFundMe describing what led to her being let go.
“One day, during a layover, I posted a lighthearted video on my personal social media account,” she explained.
“It was a harmless clip that was recorded at 6 am while waiting 2 hours for pilots. I was also celebrating the end of probation and making it out of a hard upbringing in San Francisco, CA.”
Diala said she was accused of violating Alaska Airlines’ social media policy and that she was terminated without warning. The GoFundMe will assist with bills until she can find another position elsewhere.
“I’ve learned from my mistakes and those don’t define me....We listen and we don’t judge.”
Of course, social media had a lot to say. One user, @iamn0tthe1, had sympathy but still checked Diala on her decision-making skills. “I hope that @AlaskaAir considers reversing this decision and give her another 90 day probation, she’s young, but this was dumb,” she stated.
Another personality, @YourFlighness, had seen enough. “I don’t wanna see that flight attendant and her weak twerk on the TL anymore please,” she wrote.
“Beautiful girl but she was in uniform, on company property and more than likely on company time….We have policies about socials that everyone agrees to so….Let’s not drag this.”
Diala’s, the fundraising page has barely gained any traction. Diala is requesting $12,000—but has received around $2,200 as of Jan. 17.
Mike Wright, known as @mikewright2424, poked fun at the page. “This is the funniest sh*t I’ve ever read,” he stated.
“This chick wants money after getting fired from her ‘dream job’ of 6 months for twerkin instead of werkin.”
In a statement, Alaska Airlines said they do not comment on personnel matters: “We hold all flight attendants to high standards for conduct and guest care,” they statement read.
“All new flight attendants are subject to probationary periods, just like all Alaska Airlines employees.”
Diala’s story has also been picked up by outlets like The New York Post, The Daily Mail, and Business Insider.