LOS ANGELES — SB19 member Justin de Dios has recounted an encounter at Los Angeles International Airport, saying a Filipino man he described as working at the airport criticized the P-pop group and a member of its management team while they waited for baggage.
De Dios discussed the incident in an Aug. 23 vlog documenting the group’s U.S. trip before its July 30 performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago.
According to de Dios, a woman who had already taken a photo with member Stell continued seeking pictures while the group waited for luggage. Leah Gonzales, a longtime SB19 management figure now serving as artists and repertoire director of 1Z Entertainment, asked whether additional photos could wait until the group had collected its bags.
De Dios said the woman agreed, and he later posed for another photo with her. He said a Filipino man who overheard the exchange then approached Gonzales, called her “suplada,” or snobbish, and made dismissive remarks about SB19’s fame and willingness to accommodate fans.
De Dios said he considered responding but chose not to escalate the encounter. He described the remarks as disrespectful and said he was disappointed they came from a fellow Filipino.
The man was not identified, and his employer has not been independently established. LAX is operated by Los Angeles World Airports, but airline, tenant, concession and contractor personnel also work there.
SB19, composed of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin, performed at Lollapalooza Chicago, becoming the first Filipino act to appear at the festival.
