When it comes to taking work celebrations too far, Nelle Diala may have just danced her way into a social media storm.
The California native and former Alaska Airlines flight attendant made headlines after a TikTok video of her twerking on an empty plane went viral. The clip, initially meant to celebrate a milestone in her career, ended up costing her her “dream job.”
From Celebrating to Scrutinized
Diala, who hails from San Francisco, posted the now-infamous video with the cheeky caption on Instagram, “ghetto bi**h till I D-I-E, don’t let the uniform fool you.” In the clip, she’s seen confidently twerking while waiting for a pilot on an empty flight. Her intention? To mark the end of her new-hire probationary period and celebrate overcoming the challenges of her upbringing.
But not everyone saw it as a cause for celebration. Within hours, the video amassed over 72,000 views and sparked a mix of reactions online. Instead of cheers, it brought her unexpected scrutiny—and, ultimately, her termination.
Alaska Airlines Says Goodbye
According to Diala, Alaska Airlines didn’t give her a chance to explain herself.
“Without warning, they terminated me. No discussion, no chance to defend myself,” she said. The airline’s decision cited a violation of its social media policy, which employees agree to when hired.
While some applauded the airline for maintaining professionalism, others called out the decision as overly harsh.
Comments like, “She violated the rules—what did she expect?” clashed with sentiments like, “What’s wrong with a little twerk before work? Let her have her fun!”
From Flight Attendant to Aspiring Entrepreneur
Though devastated by the loss of her job, Diala is determined to turn the setback into an opportunity. She’s now focused on her two side hustles: a dessert business (@cakezncake) and a lingerie brand (@figure8.lingerie).
“Losing my job was devastating,” she wrote on a GoFundMe page, where at at Jan 16, she’s raised $1,571 of a $12,000 goal to help support her ventures. “Although this was my dream job, I was using the income to fund my blossoming businesses.”
Diala has even reposted the video with a new caption: “Can’t even be yourself anymore, without the world being so sensitive. What’s wrong with a little twerk before work?” She also added the hashtag #discriminationisreal.
The Internet Weighs In
Social media users are divided. Some have rallied behind Diala, calling out Alaska Airlines for being “too sensitive” and promising to support her businesses. Others believe the airline was justified in its actions.
One TikTok commenter wrote, “She chose to violate Alaska Airlines’ social media policy, which ALL employees are required to follow. She got herself fired.” Another added, “Nothing wrong with twerking before work, only wrong to do it in uniform on company property.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Diala seems determined to move forward, using her newfound attention to promote her entrepreneurial endeavors.
Lessons Learned—or Not?
Diala’s story serves as a modern cautionary tale about mixing social media and workplace rules. While her twerk may have been a lighthearted celebration, it’s a reminder that actions in uniform can carry serious consequences.
As for Diala, she’s putting her energy into her businesses and embracing the spotlight. Whether the internet’s support will translate into sales remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—this former flight attendant isn’t letting turbulence keep her down.
