Influencer Sparks Controversy After Vaping Aboard a Flight and Capturing the Chaos on Video

9 August 2025

Kobe Peter "Twoey King" Nguyen, a self‑proclaimed celebrity pickleball coach and influencer, ignited a storm of criticism after a video he posted showed him in a heated confrontation with a flight attendant. The incident took place on August 4 during an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to San Francisco when he was caught vaping in the airplane lavatory an act strictly prohibited by federal law. The attendant confronted him, triggering a charged exchange that Nguyen was quick to film and share online.

In the Instagram video, Nguyen framed the encounter with the caption “Airline attendant forcibly opens bathroom door on passenger,” dramatizing the situation before his followers. In the clip, a flight attendant enters the bathroom, expressing concern that vaping posed a safety hazard.

Nguyen responds loudly, “I was sitting on the toilet and you were opening the door,” followed by a tense apology that was met with the attendant motioning to other passengers and emphasizing safety protocols. When the attendant attempts to stop his recording, he accuses her of assault, stating “She just put her hands on me.” Despite her colleague denying any physical contact, Nguyen insisted on his narrative, insisting, “I am a lawyer,” and warning that his 25,000 followers would be watching. He demanded an apology, trotted out legal threats, and later said he would call the police upon landing.

Social media erupted with backlash. Viewers widely condemned Nguyen’s behavior, criticizing him for attempting to weaponize his online presence and cast himself as a victim. Many called for his inclusion on the no‑fly list, questioning how social media influence was being leveraged to sidestep safety protocols.

American Airlines responded by confirming that police met the plane upon arrival in San Francisco and that Nguyen was removed due to disruptive behavior. The airline offered an apology to passengers for any inconvenience.

FAA regulations maintain a zero‑tolerance stance on smoking and vaping during flights, citing the fire hazard posed by lithium‑ion batteries and the sensitivity of smoke detectors aboard aircraft. For Nguyen, a single puff became a public spectacle with personal and professional costs.

In essence, this event cracked open tensions at the intersection of influencer culture and airline safety. Nguyen’s impulsive decision to record and publicize an unfiltered dispute cast a harsh spotlight on how viral identity and entitlement can collide aboard a confined aircraft cabin. What started as a prohibited act against aviation regulation quickly snowballed into a cautionary tale about the limits of online fame and the uncompromising nature of safety protocols in the skies.