Diana Ross on Sunday claimed in a series of early-morning tweets that a Transportation Security Administration agent made her feel “violated” at an airport in New Orleans.
The 12-time Grammy-nominated singer wrote that she was treated “like royalty” while she was in the city to perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival over the weekend, but at the airport she was “treated like shit.”
“Let me be clear , Not the peiple or Delta BUT TSA , was over the top !! Makes me want to cry,” Ross wrote.
In a subsequent tweet, she explained the incident. “Its not what was done but how , I am feeling violated – I still feel her hands between my legs , front and back ( saying to me it her job ,) WOW!!” Ross wrote.
“Really mixed emotions,” she added. “I always like to see the good things but not feeling good right now.”
Ross tweeted several hours later that she was feeling better, but that “it took a minute.”
In a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter, a representative for the TSA said, “TSA is committed to ensuring all travelers are treated with respect and courtesy. TSA is aware of concerns presented by Diana Ross about her screening experience at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport this morning.”
The statement continued: “Initial review of CCTV indicates that the officers involved with Ms. Ross’s screening correctly followed all protocols, however, TSA will continue to investigate the matter further. We encourage Ms. Ross to reach out to TSA so we can further explain our procedures, designed to protect travelers from a persistent threat.”
May 5, 3:02 p.m. Updated with TSA’s statement.
