“Yellowstone's” Forrie J. Smith Says He Was ‘Kicked Off’ Plane for Refusing to Sit Next to Passenger in Mask
The actor detailed the incident in an Instagram Reel on Sunday and added that he had been drinking alcohol prior to filming the video
Forrie J. Smith claims he was "kicked off" a plane after he refused to sit next to a passenger who was wearing a face mask
In a clip shared to his Instagram on Sunday, the Yellowstone actor admitted he’d been drinking prior to filming the video
The post received backlash in the comments from users who accused him of being inconsiderate about fellow flyers' potentially unseen health concerns
Forrie J. Smith is claiming he was "kicked off" a flight after he refused to sit next to a passenger in a face mask.
The Yellowstone actor, 65, who plays Lloyd Pierce on the Paramount+ series, shared a detailed recap of his version of events in a video posted to his Instagram on Sunday.
“I just got kicked off a plane in . . . where the hell am I at?” he begins in the video. Someone off camera then reminds him what city he’s in. “Houston, Texas, because I told them I didn’t feel comfortable sitting next to somebody with a mask on.”
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He adds that he had consumed alcohol prior to filming the video.
“Yeah, I’ve been drinking — I’ve been sitting in the airport for three hours, yeah I’m drinking — but I ain’t drunk,” he says.
“They’ve thrown me off the plane because I’m drunk, because you people won’t stand up and tell everybody what bulls— this is,” the actor continues. “I just told them I didn’t feel comfortable sitting next to somebody that had to wear a mask, and I’m off the plane.”
In the caption, he wrote, “You need to hear this story.”
The actor did not disclose what airline he was attempting to fly.
Smith’s post immediately received backlash from Instagram users in the comments section.
“So drunk you don’t even know where you are? I don’t know man, maybe it’s time to travel in your own private jet if you have a phobia of masks,” one user commented.
Another questioned, “Why would you feel uncomfortable sitting next to a masked person?”
Meanwhile, a different comment pointed out, “You didn’t want to sit next to a mask-wearer. And now you’re not. So …”
Others felt that he simply failed to take into account the needs of potentially “immunocompromised people” who need to wear masks to protect themselves or loved ones, noting he has “no idea what they are wearing it for.”
A representative for Paramount+ did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Related: A Guide to Every 'Yellowstone' Prequel and Spinoff Series, Including '1883,' '1923,' '6666'
Smith has previously been open about his stance on certain protocols following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, he was prohibited from attending the Screen Actors Guild Awards as all attendees needed to show proof of vaccination. According to Variety, the actor shared his opinion on getting vaccinated in a since-deleted Instagram video.
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"I want to apologize to y'all for not being at the Screen Actors Guild Awards," he said in the clip. "I mean no offense to anyone. I'm not vaccinated, and it's a requirement to be vaccinated."
He added, "I'm not vaccinated, I will not get vaccinated. I haven't been vaccinated since I was a little kid. I don't vaccinate my dogs, I don't vaccinate my horses. I've never had a flu shot. I never will. I believe they compromise your immunities…It's just my beliefs. I just don't believe in that stuff. Whatever."
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