In a controversial revelation that has sparked outrage, actress and best-selling author Jenny Mollen has faced a backlash on social media after openly admitting to traveling on a five-hour transcontinental flight with United Airlines while unknowingly infested with head lice.
Jenny, who has gained fame from numerous popular television roles and has authored two New York Times bestsellers, made the shocking confession in an Instagram post that captured the attention of her followers. Accompanying the video, she cheekily declared, “I’m not saying for sure you have lice, I’m just saying there’s absolutely no way you don’t.”
In the candid video filmed while seated in the luxurious United Polaris Business Class cabin, Jenny elaborated on her situation, saying, “Guys, I’m on a plane with Caroline, and she just looked at my head and remember when we told last week that I said that my head was itching? Well guess what, I have f**king lice, and honestly, I think I know where I got it, but I’m not going to call that person out; she knows who she is.”
“I can’t even deal,” Jenny continued, visibly distressed. “This is insane, you guys, this is insane. We have a five-hour flight. I’m wearing like a bag that these came in [pointing to a set of headphones] on my head. I’ve never had lice in my life. I don’t know what to do. I’ve been itching for two weeks, so they’ve been living on me for two weeks.”
While Jenny’s brutally honest revelation amused some, it sparked intense criticism from her followers, many of whom expressed their disgust at her decision to fly with an active lice infestation. One user dismissed her behavior as “Classless in first class,” emphasizing the social etiquette of flying with such an infestation.
Other comments echoed this sentiment, highlighting the discomfort of knowing someone could potentially be infected in close quarters. “Well, I certainly would not be on a plane with untreated lice announcing it. Not cool,” another follower remarked, while others voiced how her revelation instilled a newfound fear of flying.
“I will NEVER not wear a hoodie when I fly now,” a concerned user expressed, further adding to the discussion around hygiene on public transport. “Thank you for introducing a brand new fear of mine now – catching lice on a plane.”
Another commenter humorously noted the absurdity of the situation, questioning, “What the actual lice?!? Why are you on an airplane!?? You should notify an attendant so they can bring the hazmat crew in after you to clean up!”
In response to the uproar, Jenny held a live Q&A a few days later to clarify her choices, stating, “The airplane seat… that’s a bummer for whoever sits there next. I didn’t know, I want to be clear, I didn’t know that I had lice until I got on the airplane.”
“I thought I was going through perimenopause,” she continued, cleverly shifting some blame on her husband for not inspecting her head more carefully. “For the entire flight from LA to New York, I was wearing a plastic bag on my head and was freaking out, knowing that I was going to have to come home and boil my entire house.”
Although experts highlight that head lice are highly contagious and primarily spread through direct head-to-head contact, they assure that the likelihood of transmission aboard an airplane remains relatively low, adding a layer of reassurance amidst the chaos.
How did Jenny Mollen address concerns for other passengers on the flight after revealing her head lice experience?
**Interview with Jenny Mollen: A Candid Confession on Head Lice Controversy**
**Editor:** Today, we have a special guest: actress and best-selling author, Jenny Mollen. Jenny, thank you for joining us.
**Jenny Mollen:** Thank you for having me!
**Editor:** Let’s get right into it. You’ve stirred quite a reaction on social media after revealing you traveled on a flight with head lice. What led to that admission?
**Jenny Mollen:** Honestly, it was a moment of complete honesty. I was feeling really overwhelmed and itchy for weeks, and I thought, why not share this ridiculous situation with my followers? I mean, we’re all human, right?
**Editor:** Human, yes, but many people were shocked. Some even labeled your actions as “classless.” How do you respond to the backlash?
**Jenny Mollen:** I get it. It sounds gross, and I wouldn’t want to be in a confined space with someone who has lice either. But I didn’t know at the time—I was genuinely surprised. I wanted to bring a little humor to the situation, even if it didn’t land well with everyone.
**Editor:** You mentioned in the video that you “think you know where you got it.” Care to elaborate on that?
**Jenny Mollen:** [Laughs] Ah, I’m not throwing anyone under the bus! It’s just part of life, and things happen. I’ve had kids in school—luckily my son didn’t catch it—but it’s something I’ve had to deal with. We all know how easily things spread in public spaces.
**Editor:** Many followers expressed concern for the other passengers. Did you consider the implications of flying while infested?
**Jenny Mollen:** I completely understand those concerns. It was a stressful situation for me since I didn’t realize it until the last minute. I truly empathize with anyone who felt uncomfortable. The intention was never to disgust anyone; it was about sharing my real experience.
**Editor:** Moving forward, what’s your plan? Are you seeking treatment?
**Jenny Mollen:** Absolutely! I’ve already handled that. My priority is to get everything cleared up, especially before I fly again. Who knew lice could create such a media frenzy?
**Editor:** Thank you, Jenny, for your transparency and willingness to talk about this.
**Jenny Mollen:** Thank you for having me! Remember, it’s all about knowing that we’re all in this together—even with head lice!
**Editor:** Wise words indeed. We appreciate your time today, Jenny.
