Leanna Perry, once celebrated in the global design scene for collaborations with major brands like Adidas and Maybelline, now faces public disgrace after a shocking incident on a Southwest Airlines flight that erupted into violence.
The 32-year-old Brooklyn-based illustrator was caught on camera during a disturbing outburst aboard a 1 a.m. flight scheduled to depart LaGuardia Airport for Kansas City. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and disturbing, as Perry allegedly assaulted another female passenger and began shouting vulgar insults.
Onboard chaos goes viral
Viral videos posted on TikTok and Reddit show Perry gripping another woman’s hair tightly while screaming obscenities. Despite repeated pleas, she refused to let go. Even more bizarre, she insisted she wasn’t touching the passenger’s hair—while visibly clutching it.
The situation escalated rapidly. Witnesses reported that Perry began flailing, swearing at passengers, and collapsing in the aisle, only to scream again seconds later. A fellow passenger shared online that she appeared possessed as she kicked and thrashed, even after being zip-tied by airline personnel.
Port Authority Police confirmed Perry was taken into custody at the airport. She was initially brought to a hospital for evaluation before being transferred to the custody of the New York City Department of Corrections. Authorities have charged her with aggravated assault.
Career in question after viral fallout
Southwest Airlines commended its staff for handling the situation professionally. The airline denied boarding to Perry after the incident and is cooperating with law enforcement.
Before her meltdown, Perry had built an impressive resume. Her colorful, street-style illustrations graced campaigns for MAC, Hot Topic, Shein, and iconic fashion labels like Betsey Johnson and Nicole Miller. She also held a role with Maybelline New York, though a LinkedIn profile detailing the position has since been deleted.
Peers once described her work as vibrant and daring, earning her a growing following in creative circles. But since the in-flight incident, Perry has deleted her website and wiped her social media presence, a move some say was intended to control reputational damage. Archived screenshots of her past work continue to circulate online.
Public reacts with disappointment and anger
Social media users expressed outrage, calling the incident a disgrace. One comment read that Perry had everything going for her but threw it away in one drunken episode.
The fallout has not only led to legal consequences but also calls into question Perry’s professional future. Brands once affiliated with her have yet to release statements, but experts say distancing is likely.
Whether Perry will recover from this scandal remains uncertain. For now, her reputation—and possibly her career—appears to be grounded.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.