She’s back! Tiffany Gomas, the real estate developer who earned the moniker “Crazy Plane Lady” last year after a public meltdown on an American Airlines flight is back in the news after making an attempt to be a right-wing influencer.
The Dallas, Texas resident posted a mirror selfie photo of herself on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, where she was seen in a bikini emblazoned with the logo of the brand Ultra Right while holding the company’s beer.
“Wonder how many people I’m gonna p*** off with this post…,” she tweeted from her @Tiffany_Gomas account last week.
The tweet has been seen 8 million times, yet it still has not exactly taken the world by storm. Still, it could still serve as a reminder that social media does enable those who have had their proverbial 15 minutes of fame to get an extension.
“There are always going to be individuals who look to further their 15-minutes of fame. Ms. Gomas is no different,” explained Jason Mollica, professorial lecturer in the School of Communication at American University. “Since the American Airlines incident over ten months ago, she’s seen her social media presence grow exponentially.”
It could also prove that while necessity is the mother of invention, opportunity remains the mother of reinvention, and Ms. Gomas is attempting to use her fleeting fame to launch a career as a right-wing influencer.
“Social media clearly has the power for people to reinvent themselves—but they first need to do something outrageous to get that attention,” suggested technology industry analyst Susan Schreiner of C4 Trends.
A very public meltdown on an airplane would certainly fit into the category of “outrageous,” and perhaps it was all part of a carefully staged episode. She has only stated that it wasn’t her “best moment.”
“It seems that the incident with the ‘Crazy Plane Lady’ was probably a publicity stunt,” said Schreiner. “However, why did she remain hidden at home for four weeks? Also, why was she not prepared for the level of response she received? Was her emotional outburst actually a test to see if she’s ready to become an influential figure focused on empowerment?”
It is possible her emotional outburst was actually a test to see if she’s ready to become an influential figure focused on empowerment, but the question now is whether her reinvention will catch on. It could be her final opportunity to cash in on last summer’s video.
“While she’s collaborated with Barstool Sports for a charitable effort, this move is more extreme,” added Mollica. “Promoting a beer and doing so without compensation, she posted for one reason: to gain more followers. It provided Gomas with plenty of views, likes, and comments; it will also give her some standing within right-wing circles.”
Yet, for the reinvention to succeed she needs to be genuine and the jury may still be out on that matter, while Mollica also said he isn’t convinced it will allow her to reach out to a wider audience. For now it would seem she’s picking a lane and sticking to it.
“Is her current persona as a right-wing influencer genuine,” pondered Schreiner, “Or just a cynical ploy based on the reaction and attention she is getting from right-wing supporters.”