A passenger who went viral for refusing to swap seats with a crying child is suing the airline and person who filmed her.
Jeniffer Castro, a 29-year-old bank employee turned influencer from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, has officially filed charges against GOL Airlines and a fellow passenger after a viral TikTok of her refusing to give up her pre-selected window seat to the kid caused an internet uproar.
The December 2024 incident catapulted Castro into an unwanted spotlight, sparking online backlash that she claims severely impacted her mental health and professional life.
The video, filmed without her consent, showed her sitting in her reserved seat while the child, who had occupied it during boarding, was relocated.
Initially believed to be recorded by the kid’s mother, Castro clarified that another passenger was responsible for filming and publicly shaming her. She says the video led to “judgments, attacks, and speculation” by people unaware of the full story.
“What should have been just an ordinary flight turned into an extremely embarrassing situation, exposing me unfairly and causing consequences that affected both my personal and professional life,” she told the New York Post.
Viral passenger takes legal action
Castro’s lawsuit seeks compensation for the emotional distress and damages caused by the ordeal. While citing judicial secrecy, she declined to disclose the amount of compensation sought. The case is also intended to set a precedent against unauthorized public exposure.
“This lawsuit is not just about reparations, but also about setting a limit on this type of behavior,” Castro stated. “We all have rights, and they must be respected, regardless of other people’s opinions.”
After the incident, the 29-year-old’s Instagram following surged to 2 million, transforming her into a social media influencer with multiple brand deals.
Despite this newfound fame, she revealed that the backlash had long-lasting consequences. “At the height of the repercussions, I practically didn’t leave the house,” she added. “Today, I am no longer in the field I worked in before. I was a banker”
Castro went on to explain that her decision to keep her reserved seat was within her rights. “Each person has their own opinion, and I respect that,” she said. “What makes everything more complicated is when people judge or attack without knowing all the details of the situation.”
She hopes her legal action will discourage public shaming and unauthorized exposure. “I believe that we should respect people’s choices and decisions, especially when they are within their rights,” she added. “No one should be forced to justify something they simply don’t want to do.”
Content shared from www.dexerto.com.