Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has accused a flight attendant of racism. The singer said the flight attendant was unjustified in calling the police on him after an altercation during an Australian domestic flight.
He told his story in a series of tweets on Saturday, November 16. He even mentioned that the lady was “overly aggressive” and unnecessarily escalated a situation after he didn’t hear an on-board safety briefing.
Using the hashtag #RacistFlightAttendant William Adams – better known by his stage name will.i.am – said the attendant was “beyond rude” and “took it to the next level by calling the police”, 5 of whom were waiting for him on arrival in Sydney following the 90-minute flight from Brisbane.
I’m currently on a flight from Brisbane to Sydney.
I’m sorry to say me and my group have experienced they worse service due to a overly aggressive flight attendant…
I don’t want to believe she racist.
But she has clearly aimed all her frustrations only at the people of colour— will.i.am (@iamwill) November 16, 2019
“Thank god the other passengers testified that SHE was out of control,” he tweeted. “The police finally let me go.”
He said he had complied “quickly & politely” with her instructions to put his laptop away.
“I don’t want to believe she racist. But she has clearly aimed all her frustrations only at the people of color.”
This is how your greeted when you land from Brisbane to Sydney flying @qantas with a #RacistFlightattendant named Lorraine Marshall…She sent the police after me bacause I couldn’t hear the P.A while making beats on the plane wearing noise canceling headphones… pic.twitter.com/9xT7WqTUoO
— will.i.am (@iamwill) November 16, 2019
I’m sorry? Is callin the police on a passenger for not hearing he P.A due to wearing noise canceling headphones appropriate? If didn’t put away my laptop “in a rapid 2min time” I’d understand. I did comply quickly & politely, only to be greeted by police. I think I was targeted https://t.co/8WVIuMKXJa
— will.i.am (@iamwill) November 16, 2019
This is me filing a “proper complaint”…this way I know my complaint & treatment will be heard…I’m using the same tool you would use if you were wrongly accused of doing something & pulled away by police officers. I still don’t know what I did wrong for police to come ??♂️ https://t.co/i3ShYc3PaX
— will.i.am (@iamwill) November 16, 2019
A Qantas spokesman said the Australian flag carrier “completely” rejected the suggestion that race was a factor in the incident.
“There was a misunderstanding on board, which seems to have been exacerbated by will.i.am wearing noise-canceling headphones and not being able to hear instructions from crew,” he said.
“We’ll be following up with will.i.am and wish him well for the rest of the tour.”
The group ended a five-city Australia tour with a concert in Sydney on Saturday.
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