Kat Clark slams Virgin Australia over airport incident with daughter

A Gold Coast influencer has expressed outrage claiming a Virgin Australia staff member mocked an item of her 13-year-old daughter’s clothing and attempted to remove it.

Gold Coast influencer Kat Clark has slammed Virgin Australia after what she says was an unsettling encounter at Gold Coast Airport, where a staff member allegedly mocked her 13-year-old daughter’s hair accessory and attempted to remove it against her wishes.

In a social media post, Clark described the incident, which occurred on Monday morning while Clark and her 13-year-old daughter, Deja, were checking in for their flight.

Gold Coast TikTok star Kat Clark speaks out after Virgin Australia staffer mocked 13-year-old daughter, Deja's hair accessory. Photo: Instagram.

According to Clark, a Virgin Australia staff member approached Deja and began “mocking” her bonnet, a hair accessory worn to protect her curly hair.

The situation escalated when the staff member reportedly asked Deja to remove the bonnet to “show her hair”.

When Deja refused, the staff member allegedly tried to lift the bonnet off her head.

“Guys, I’m actually shook,” Clark wrote on social media.

“A Virgin staff member checking us in for our flight walked out from behind her desk, came up to Deja mocking her bonnet … When Deja said no, she tried to lift up her bonnet! Wtaf is wrong with people? Who touches someone after they’ve said no?”

Clark, who has amassed a significant following of 6.7 million on TikTok and 770,000 on Instagram, expressed her shock and frustration over the staff member’s actions.

She reassured her followers that she had footage of the incident and would be filing an official complaint.

“I am fuming lol,” she added, after boarding the plane.

“I thought I’d be calm by now but after reading your comments, you’ve made me realise I’m not overreacting. I’ll be making a complaint. I don’t have her name but I have a video of her. Vlog to come tonight x.”

Kat Clark added that she was "fuming" over the incident and will be filing an official complaint against Virgin Australia. Photo: Instagram.

Clark and her daughter were travelling to Sydney for the opening of a pop-up store for their skincare brand, Kalade, at Westfield Pitt Street, which launches on December 4.

The altercation comes on the heels of Clark defending Deja against criticism over her outfit at the recent TikTok Awards.

Deja wore a custom-made two-piece set inspired by pop star Tyla’s stage outfit.

While many fans praised the look as “adorable” and “teen pop perfection,” others criticised it as too revealing, with one commenter comparing it to something from a “strip club.”

Deja Clark on the red carpet for the TikTok Awards held at the Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Kat Clark, Deja Clark, Latisha Clark and Jonathan Clark on the red carpet for the TikTok Awards held at the Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In response, Clark posted a series of TikTok videos, defending her daughter’s choice and slamming critics.

“It’s actually quite sad seeing so many women dragging other women down who are just trying to do their best,” the 38-year-old mother said in a vlog.

“Not just bringing women down but bringing teenagers down too. So many people had a problem with Deja’s outfit and it just blows my mind.

“I never have and I never will control what my children choose to wear. One of my main roles as a parent is to make my children feel confident in their bodies.”

Clark also posted a picture of Kim Kardashian at the 2021 Met Gala in a full-body black Balenciaga outfit, writing, “This is what Deja is going to wear at the next awards to make everyone happy.”

Virgin Australia has since reached out to the Clark family and issued a formal apology.

“We always strive to provide the highest standards of customer service and we apologise this interaction did not meet those standards,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson told the Courier-Mail.

“We reached out to our guests yesterday to apologise directly.”