Leanna Perry, a 32-year-old Brooklyn-based illustrator with a high-profile client list, has become the center of a viral scandal after a drunken and violent meltdown aboard a Southwest Airlines flight departing from New York City. Her outburst—captured on video by fellow passengers—saw her body-shaming a fellow traveller, spitting, screaming, and even physically assaulting airline staff and another passenger.
The disturbing scene unfolded early Monday at LaGuardia Airport on a flight bound for Kansas City, Missouri. Perry, who appeared severely intoxicated, launched into a tirade shortly after boarding. Witnesses said she lashed out at a woman seated next to her, calling her “fat” and making crude remarks about her appearance and clothing.
One passenger who recorded the incident told Daily Mail that Perry was so aggressive she even knocked the glasses off a Southwest employee who was trying to calm her down.
Police said Perry was taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated assault after she had to be physically restrained and removed from the aircraft on a gurney.
A Well-Connected Artist With a Glamorous Life
What made the incident even more shocking to many viewers online was Perry’s seemingly glamorous and successful lifestyle. A graduate of art programs with years of experience in illustration and design, she had previously boasted a client list that included Adidas, MAC, Maybelline New York, Hot Topic, Shein, and fashion icons Betsey Johnson and Nicole Miller.
Her now-deleted LinkedIn page stated she recently began working for Maybelline New York, designing content for its e-commerce platforms. Her website and social media pages—once a showcase for her edgy pop-culture-influenced art—were swiftly taken offline after the incident gained media attention.
Perry resides in a stylish one-bedroom apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, reportedly renting for $4,000 a month. She has frequently been photographed at fashion week events and art exhibitions around New York City.
Originally from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, a suburb near Kansas City, Perry grew up with three brothers before moving to New York to pursue her creative career.
The Meltdown Caught on Camera
Several passengers captured the chaotic moment Perry launched her verbal attack. Clad in black with a red baseball cap, she appeared irate, slurring her words and repeatedly yelling at a female seatmate whom she refused to sit next to. She tightly gripped the woman’s hair and screamed profanities, even as flight staff begged her to let go.
Video footage shows Perry smirking and refusing to cooperate, shouting bizarre justifications for her actions: “I didn’t want to sit next to a f***ing fat lady,” she screamed.
As the confrontation escalated, she hurled more abuse at nearby passengers, spat on the woman she was harassing, and mocked others trying to intervene—including a Black man who attempted to help restrain her, yelling incoherent and racially charged comments.
“I can’t breathe!” she suddenly screamed, collapsing theatrically onto the floor before flipping over and continuing to kick and curse at passengers and airline staff.
At one point, she kicked the woman she was insulting and continued berating her, saying, “Yeah you can’t get out! You’re f*ing fat as sh.”
Eventually, multiple staff members and passengers were able to restrain her long enough for Port Authority police to arrive and escort her off the plane.
Fallout and Airline Response
Southwest Airlines confirmed that Perry was barred from returning to the flight after the incident.
“We commend our team for their professionalism during the incident,” the airline said in a statement to Daily Mail.
There has been no public comment from Perry or her previous employers, though it is likely that the outburst will impact her professional relationships and standing in the art and fashion communities.
As the footage continues to circulate online, many have expressed outrage that someone from such a privileged background could behave so violently and offensively in public. Others have raised concerns about alcohol consumption on flights and the mental health implications of such extreme outbursts.
For now, Leanna Perry’s once-promising career has been overshadowed by a moment of chaos, caught on camera and condemned by viewers across the country.