Secure the aircraft.
Rapper Juvenile got into a heated argument with American Airlines flight crew on Wednesday after they tried to downgrade him from first class to economy class.
“Y’all hear that?” the 49-year-old “Back That Azz Up” rapper told his followers during an Instagram Live he started during the incident.
“Man, they’re trying to kick me off the plane. They’re trying to take me out of first class.”
Juvenile – whose real name is Terius Gray – and his wife Shadonna Jones were already on board a flight from New Orleans to Dallas when flight crew informed them of the seat change.
In the livestream, Jones, who was not asked to change her sweatpants, was heard saying in defense of her husband: “I’m his wife, so how can you demote him and I could still stay?”
Juvenile was visibly upset about the situation and said emphatically, “They’re not going to put me on a bus. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.”
The “Slow Motion” rapper told American Airlines employees that they would regret choosing him because of his fame.
“I’m a celebrity,” he said. “There will be consequences because I’m going to get off the plane. I’m not going to let you disrespect me like that.”
“I will not allow you to single me out of all the people on the plane and treat me with disrespect, so I will leave the plane. You will not treat me with disrespect.”
Juvenile decided to get off the plane with his wife instead of changing his sweatpants, and said as he got off, “Of all the people on the plane, you chose a celebrity.”
Page Six has since learned that the “Set It Off” rapper was not intentionally targeted, but was simply selected from all other passengers in an automated process.
Juvenile, however, did not seem satisfied with the explanations and subsequently posted a second clip on Instagram in which he shows how he frequently travels in first class with American Airlines.
Still furious about the ordeal, he said, “Fuck American Airlines. I spent so much money on you bitches.”
“You want to put me in economy class, you wanker? I’ve never flown in economy class before. I feel like I’m being ripped off.”
Juvenile added in his caption: “I feel ripped off @americanair. Are you trying to force me into economy when I’m already in my seat??”
He then went on to say how he plans to come to Texas for his upcoming concert, writing, “Don’t worry Fort Worth, I’m getting on another plane on a better airline now. THE SHOW MUST GO ON.”
An American Airlines spokesperson told Page Six that the problem was due to an “unplanned aircraft change” that resulted in fewer first-class seats available than originally planned for Juvenile.
“American Airlines is committed to providing a positive experience for every traveler and we apologize for Mr. Gray’s recent experience with us,” the spokesperson said.
“An unplanned change in aircraft type impacted his seat allocation and we regret that he was not informed of this prior to boarding. A member of our team has spoken to Mr Gray personally to clarify the situation.”
The airline did not provide details on how exactly Juvenile’s situation was resolved or whether he was financially compensated for the inconvenience.
However, Juvenile’s spokesperson told Page Six exclusively: “No one at American has spoken to Juvenile personally.”
Meanwhile, another source told us that the rapper and his wife were contacted after 4 p.m. CT on Wednesday and that other airline employees have also spoken with members of Juvenile’s management team.
American Airlines declined to comment on whether an investigation into the incident was underway, but Page Six has learned that the procedure was a mistake because it violated company protocol.
The airline’s standard practice is to inform customers in good time – before boarding – about changes to the seating situation.
