One passenger on a flight who went viral after she refused to give up her seat to a crying child has sued the airline and the person who filmed her.
A Brazilian 29-year-old named Jennifer Castro went viral after she was filmed on a GOL Airlines flight for refusing to give up her seat, which she pre-selected by the window, to a crying child.
The clip went mega viral, earning millions of views with many people sharing their thoughts on the situation.
Filmed by another passenger, not the mother of the child, the video lead her to be shamed by internet users.
Her social media page also earned an incredible 2.1 million followers, leading to her receiving multiple brand deals and offers.
Now, she claims she has filed against GOL Airlines and the passenger who filmed her for compensation for distress and damages.
Speaking last month, she said: “Since that incident, my life has taken a turn I could never have imagined,”,
“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.
“I was the target of judgments, attacks, and speculation from people who don’t even know the full story.”
She explained it all started when she noticed a child sitting in her designated seat.
She had pre-selected the window seat and was expecting the child to move.
“I waited for him to correctly accommodate himself in another seat, and then I sat down in my seat,” she explained.
Things took a turn when another passenger started filming her, without her consent.
“Throughout the flight, the child cried a lot, which, although uncomfortable, is understandable when traveling,” she recalled.
“What surprised me was the fact that a person who had nothing to do with the situation started filming me without permission, insulting me and trying to publicly embarrass me simply because I didn’t want to change seats.”
The video then went viral, causing her distress to her mental health as well as her career as an employee as a banker.
“My reaction was complete shock,” she said. “I never imagined that something so simple could take on such proportions.
“Professionally, my life has changed a lot, so much so that today I am no longer in the field I worked in before,” she added.
“I was a banker. In my personal life, at the height of the repercussions, I practically didn’t leave the house.
“In addition to the emotional impact, I was also afraid, because we know that, unfortunately, there are many bad people in the world.”
“I decided to sue the airline because what happened to me was a huge embarrassment, and this situation should never have reached this point,” she said.
“No one deserves to go through what I went through, being filmed, insulted, and attacked just for exercising a basic right.
“This lawsuit is not just about reparations, but also about setting a limit on this type of behavior.
“We all have rights, and they must be respected, regardless of other people’s opinions.”
“We gathered all the necessary evidence and took the appropriate measures against whoever filmed me.
“There is no action against the child’s mother, only against those who violated my privacy.”
Despite the backlash, Castro still believes that she had the right to the window seat she selected: “Each person has their own opinion, and I respect that,” she explained.
“I believe that we live in a society where thinking differently is natural and healthy, as long as there is respect.
“What makes everything more complicated is when people judge or attack without knowing all the details of the situation.”
“I believe that we should respect people’s choices and decisions, especially when they are within their rights,” she noted.
“It’s essential to normalize ‘no’ and understand that no one should be forced to justify something they simply don’t want to do,” Castro added.
“We live in a society where ‘no’ is often seen as rude or selfish, but this needs to change.
“Each person has their own reasons, preferences, and limits, and all of this must be respected without judgment.”
