Daniel Kaluuya and Tyriq Withers give the internet a ‘Bella Noche’ moment amid FAA ground stop

The actors were traveling back to Los Angeles when a nationwide flight disruption interrupted their plans. Withers turned the unexpected delay into a hilarious internet callback, while Kaluuya offered a more thoughtful take on the situation.

A trip back to Los Angeles from Oregon turned into an unexpected viral moment for actors Daniel Kaluuya and Tyriq Withers after a nationwide flight disruption left them stranded at an Oregon airport.

The two actors were among the passengers affected by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stop Friday, Nov. 13. But while the travel disruption created headaches for people trying to get home, Withers found a way to make the best of an otherwise frustrating situation.

In an interview with KVAL News at Eugene Airport, the actors explained that they had already boarded their flight before being told they would have to get off.

“Today, we were headed back to Los Angeles. We got on the plane and we had to de-board, unfortunately,” Withers explained.

The 28-year-old actor, who stars in the romantic drama “Reminders of Him,” then shifted gears, delivering an unexpected reference that sent the interview in a different direction.

“I just want to thank God for really protecting us, you know, post-blue wave as well,” Withers said before breaking into a familiar internet quote.

“It’s really upsetting me and my homegirl, ’cause if you can’t go to the airport, where the hell can you go?”

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The line was a callback to a 2015 local television interview with a woman outside the Bella Noche nightclub in Louisiana. The interview became an enduring internet meme after the woman spoke about her frustration following a shooting at the establishment.

Withers’ delivery caught Kaluuya and the reporter off guard, prompting laughter during the exchange. It was an unexpected bit of levity amid a travel disruption affecting thousands of passengers.

Kaluuya, however, took a more reflective approach when asked about the situation.

The Oscar-winning actor, whose credits include “Get Out,” “Judas and the Black Messiah” and “Nope,” acknowledged that being grounded was inconvenient but said he understood the importance of putting safety first.

“I feel grateful; obviously, it’s an inconvenience,” Kaluuya said. “I feel grateful ’cause it could have happened any other way. Think about how many lives were probably saved because of that decision.”

Rather than dwell on the delay, Kaluuya also seemed to appreciate the unexpected opportunity to spend time in Eugene, Oregon.

“I feel good, man. I’m like, ‘We’re out here. I’m in Eugene, Oregon.’ It’s lovely, everyone’s so friendly out here,” he said.

The conversation eventually circled back to Withers, with Kaluuya adding a playful “O way or no way” signoff. The phrase became another memorable moment from the interview, with Kaluuya using “O WAY OR NO WAY” as the caption when he shared the clip on his Instagram Stories. Both actors also reposted the interview, helping it reach a wider audience online.

The viral exchange came as travelers across the country dealt with an unusual disruption to air travel.

On Friday, the FAA issued a nationwide ground stop after intermittent telecommunications problems affected radar and communication systems used by air traffic controllers. The restriction temporarily halted departures as officials worked to address the technical issues and ensure aircraft could operate safely.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the problems began around 3:36 p.m. Eastern time, when air traffic control facilities experienced instability in their radar and communications systems. More than 3,500 aircraft were in the air when the ground stop was issued.

The FAA lifted the restriction around 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, after approximately four hours. Still, the disruption left its mark, with thousands of flights canceled or delayed and passengers facing unexpected changes to their travel plans.