An Alaska Airlines flight attendant from California has been terminated from her position after a TikTok video of her twerking while in uniform went viral, sparking a heated debate on social media.
Diala, who had worked at Alaska Airlines for over six months, posted the now-infamous video to her personal TikTok and Instagram accounts. The clip, captioned “ghetto bih till I D-I-E, don’t let the uniform fool you,” showed her confidently twerking before a flight.
The video, recorded during a two-hour wait for the captain, was intended to celebrate the conclusion of her probationary period with the airline. The footage quickly went viral, garnering over 72,000 views on social media.
However, the viral fame came at a cost. Alaska Airlines terminated Diala’s employment, citing a violation of the company’s social media guidelines.
Diala expressed her disbelief, stating, “I never thought a single moment would cost me everything.” She added, “Can’t even be yourself anymore without the world being so sensitive. What’s wrong with a little twerk before work? People act like they never did that before.”
She also added the hashtag #discriminationisreal, suggesting that her termination might have been harsher than necessary.
In a bid to recover financially, Diala launched a GoFundMe campaign to support herself while seeking new employment and to sustain her lingerie and dessert businesses. Currently, the campaign has raised $182 out of a target of $12,000.
The internet, of course, had plenty to say. While some users criticized Diala’s actions as unprofessional, others came to her defense, questioning whether firing her was an overreaction.
“Some stuff should be kept in the camera roll, or close friends, girl. You know how many ppl waiting for that position?!” a fan commented.
Another added, “While in uniform, your behavior reflects their brand! Putting it on social media is worse. I’m sure it’s somewhere in the code of ethics! Read those manuals.”
Another fan wrote, “That performance wasn’t worth being fired for.”
Diala’s side businesses include a lingerie business and a dessert company, which she promotes through her social media presence. She has expressed intentions to focus more on these projects after her dismissal.
Alaska Airlines has yet to release an official statement addressing Diala’s termination, but sources suggest the company is standing by its decision. The airline’s social media policy is reportedly strict and aimed at maintaining a professional image for employees and the company.
