Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Fired Over Viral Twerking Video: Controversy Erupts

Alaska Airlines has fired flight attendant Nelle Diala after a viral TikTok video surfaced of her twerking while waiting for a flight. The video, which received widespread attention on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X, was posted by Diala with the caption, “ghetto bih till i D-I-E, don’t let the uniform fool you.” The 27-year-old had reportedly filmed the dance while awaiting the arrival of the captain after a two-hour delay.

Diala, who had just ended her probationary period, had indicated on TikTok that the video was meant to mark the occasion. The dance, however, led to losing her job at the airline. Alaska Airlines fired her just six months after she joined. The company would not go into detail on the reasons for terminating her contract but stated that the employees are expected to always remain professional on and off duty.

After being fired, Diala started a GoFundMe to raise money while she is looking for another job. She described her termination as “devastating” and said she never thought that one moment would cost her career. She also expressed her frustration on social media, arguing that it was unfair to lose her job for a harmless video.

“Can’t even be yourself anymore, without the world being so sensitive. What is wrong with a little twerk before work?” she wrote in a follow-up TikTok post. The incident has sparked mixed reactions online. Some users defended Diala, suggesting she was not harming anyone, while others criticized her behaviour as unprofessional and disrespectful to the airline’s uniform. As the debate continues, the former flight attendant’s fundraising efforts have gained considerable attention.