Model Tess Holliday Stunned by Flight Attendant’s Weight Remark

Recently, plus-size model Tess Holliday expressed her disbelief after a United Airlines flight attendant suggested she lose weight. The incident occurred while she was flying first class from Tampa, Florida, with her 9-year-old son.

Holliday shared that as she was using the bathroom, she inadvertently hit the flight attendant’s call button with her back. When she exited, the employee engaged her in conversation, mentioning her son and advising her that it would be in her best interest to shed some pounds.

“He kept talking about his sister, describing her as ‘very, very big, maybe’ in relation to my size,” Holliday recounted. “This conversation continued for about ten minutes, and I was just kind of frozen. I didn’t want to make a scene, especially with my son there, but I was really taken aback.”

This flight was particularly significant for her son, as it marked his first time flying first class, which made the situation all the more uncomfortable for Holliday. “He had flown when he was a baby, but he didn’t remember it, so this was a big deal for him,” she noted.

In a TikTok video, she explained how the flight attendant had claimed someone complained about her sister’s weight, remarking that the airline had made some “offensive” comments about it. Allegedly, the attendant told her that if she genuinely cared for her child, she would think about losing weight. “He made it clear that it was a joke to think I didn’t need to lose weight,” she added.

Holliday understood that others might interpret the attendant’s comments as well-intentioned, but she firmly asserted, “That’s not the point. You don’t say things like that to people.” Thankfully, another passenger’s arrival in the bathroom helped conclude the awkward exchange.

To her surprise, after the conversation, the same flight attendant returned to her seat to offer snacks, even giving her son a gummy treat with the comment that it was so he wouldn’t be “tempted.”

Following the incident, Holliday reached out to United Airlines, expressing her hope for sensitivity training rather than any disciplinary actions against the flight attendant. “I just want them to be aware so it doesn’t happen again,” she stated.

As of now, United has not publicly commented on the matter, and Holliday’s representatives have also been contacted for further insights.