Forrie J Smith, an actor best known for Yellowstone, has taken to Instagram with a no-holds-barred rant after he alleged he was removed from a flight.
The 65-year-old claims he was booted off a flight for "being drunk" after he'd expressed discomfort at being seated next to somebody who was wearing a face covering.
Smith, who plays Lloyd in the Kevin Costner-led western drama, recorded himself from inside a Texan airport where he detailed the incident.
The actor alleged: "You know my social media people tell me that you like me face-to-face but you know I can’t say ‘face-to-face’ when I want.
"Like I just got kicked off a plane in - where the hell am I at? - Houston, Texas, because I told them I didn’t feel comfortable sitting next to somebody with a mask on."
Referring to the reasons why the unnamed airline decided to take action, Smith went on: "And yeah, I’ve been drinking, I’ve been sitting in an airport for three hours, but I ain’t drunk.
Forrie J Smith plays Lloyd on Yellowstone
PARAMOUNT
"And they’ve thrown me off the plane because I’m drunk."
The actor, who's been vocal in his opposition to Covid vaccines and restrictions before, added: "Because you people won’t stand up and tell everybody what bulls**t this is.
"I just told them I don’t feel comfortable about sitting next to somebody who had to wear a mask and I’m off the plane."
In the accompanying caption, Smith failed to mention the airline involved in the incident but did state to his followers: "You need to hear this story."
Smith soon found himself on the receiving end of mixed reactions from his social media following.
"Well this is unfortunate. You're spreading hate for somebody wearing a mask but you have no idea what they are wearing it for," one person criticised before a second agreed: "Oh Jesus Christ why are you uncomfortable sitting next to someone with a mask?"
And a third agreed: "Oh Lord, get over yourself… you have no idea their circumstances."
Others, however, were keen to show their support for the actor, including one person who argued: "Total BS, Stand With You Brother.
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Forrie J Smith claims he was booted off the plane because of his demands
PARAMOUNT/INSTAGRAM/FORRIE J SMITH
"Avoid liberals especially if they wear a mask, you were right," a second weighed in before a third defended the star: "I love @forriejsmithcowboy and so what? He was drinking, he spoke his mind and he’s telling us about it. Who cares? Stop judging everyone. He has the same rights as anyone else to live his damn life the way he wants to."
Smith's outburst comes two years after he refused to attend the SAG Awards with his Yellowstone co-stars due to Covid regulations.
The awards' organisers stipulated that attendees had to have their Covid jabs, to which Smith refused.
He'll return to screens in the second part of Yellowstone season five, although a date is yet to be announced due to numerous production delays.
