Brooks Nader was among the thousands of passengers left stranded Friday after the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a rare nationwide flight shutdown because of what it called “extraordinary circumstances.”
The 29-year-old model, who has a prominent role in the upcoming Baywatch reboot, was preparing to leave New York City on a private jet for her home state of Louisiana, where she planned to attend Saturday’s LSU game, sources told TMZ.
Nader was due to attend LSU’s matchup against the Texas Longhorns but remained stuck on the airport tarmac. Sources told the outlet that the star was safe.
It was unclear whether Nader would be able to leave New York on Friday, according to TMZ’s sources.
The nationwide ground stop was later lifted by U.S. aviation authorities following a major communications outage.
Daily Mail has contacted Nader’s representatives for comment but has not yet received a response.
Brooks Nader, 29, was among the travelers grounded Friday during the FAA’s rare nationwide shutdown over “extraordinary circumstances”; seen in September in L.A.
The model was preparing to depart New York City for Louisiana to attend Saturday’s LSU game, sources told TMZ; (Source: Brooks Nader/Instagram)
Before the disruption, Nader shared a quick selfie on her Instagram Stories from what appeared to be a private jet.
With a slight smile, she flashed a peace sign at the camera and wrote, “See y’all tomorrow!!!!!”
She also added a countdown clock, as she was scheduled to appear at the Fred’s Bar and Bumble takeover during Saturday’s LSU game.
The FAA halted flights across the United States Friday after a major communications failure.
At 3:54 p.m. ET, the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) said flights were being grounded “due to extraordinary circumstances for safety reasons.”
The FAA said there had been “a temporary telecommunications outage” and that, “out of an abundance of caution, all flights have been halted.”
“Every flight has been accounted for, and international flights will be handled on a case-by-case basis,” the agency added.
A law enforcement source told CNN that preliminary reports indicated the outage was not caused by a cyberattack, although the FBI was monitoring the situation.
Nader had planned to attend LSU’s game against the Texas Longhorns but was left waiting on the airport tarmac; seen earlier this month in Louisiana
At 3:54 p.m. ET, the Air Traffic Control System Command Center said the flight stoppage was “due to extraordinary circumstances for safety reasons”; DFW Airport pictured on November 13
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also said there were no indications of foul play; pictured above
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also said there was no evidence of foul play. He said officials had found no sign of a threat to the United States and emphasized that “this isn’t another 9/11.”
The Associated Press reported that the disruption did not appear to be connected to the FAA’s new artificial intelligence-powered system.
The agency has been introducing the technology to help anticipate potential problems in the nation’s airspace.
Nader was not the only celebrity caught up in the airport chaos across the country Friday.
Bachelor alum Kaitlyn Bristowe told her Instagram followers that she was stranded at an airport.
“Guys, I’m at the airport and there’s a nationwide shutdown of flights,” she said while filming herself with her phone.
“I’m just sitting here having a Guinness, and we don’t know why. What is going on? I’m scared. I need to get home.”
She continued, “I mean, I want to get home safely. So….”
Bachelor alum Kaitlyn Bristowe told her Instagram followers that she was stranded at an airport; seen in 2025 in NYC
“Guys, I’m at the airport and there’s a nationwide shutdown of flights,” she said while filming herself; (Source: Kaitlyn Bristowe/Instagram)
“Everybody’s wondering what the hell is going on,” the TV personality said. “I’m scared. This feels very eerie”; (Source: Kaitlyn Bristowe/Instagram)
In another Instagram Story, Bristowe admitted, “I am actually really scared.” She then paused after another traveler off-camera appeared to ask whether the disruption had been resolved.
“Everybody’s wondering what the hell is going on,” the reality star said. “I’m scared. This feels very eerie.”
Bristowe also pointed out that it was Friday the 13th, adding the words, “This is spooky.”
Fitness influencer Jen Selter told TMZ that she was already in the air when the nationwide flight stoppage was announced.
Fitness influencer Jen Selter told TMZ she was in the air when the nationwide flight stoppage began; (Source: Jen Selter/Instagram)
She later posted a photo on Instagram showing herself with luggage inside an airport terminal.
Selter added the words, “Currently in the air…,” over the image alongside news reports about the disruption.
About 600 flights were diverted after the FAA issued its rare order grounding flights nationwide Friday.
More than 15,000 flights were delayed, while another 5,000 had already been canceled.