Hilary Swank Mistakenly Snaps at Mother at LAX
Hilary Swank, the two-time Oscar-winning actress, found herself in a tense moment at Los Angeles International Airport last week after mistaking a mother for someone trying to take her photo.
Swank, 51, reportedly hissed, “I hope you enjoy that picture!” at Jada Bafus, who was at baggage claim waiting to take her terminally-ill sons, Mason and Jack, on a Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland.
The mix-up left the mother stunned, though she says she quickly realized it was just a misunderstanding.
A Make-A-Wish Trip Interrupted
Bafus, from Spokane, Washington, was focused on coordinating her seven-year-old son Mason and his four-year-old brother Jack, both diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a terminal disease that weakens skeletal and heart muscles.
“At baggage claim, I was walking next to Hilary Swank,” Bafus explained.
“I did a double take because I’m a fan, then pulled out my phone to call my husband.
I think I just took it out at the wrong moment. She thought I was taking a picture.”
The actress reportedly walked off shortly after, leaving Bafus feeling hurt but understanding the situation.
“It was just the wrong place, wrong time,” she said.
Swank Reaches Out With Apology
Since the incident, Swank has contacted Bafus on Instagram to apologize, explaining she was protective over her own young twins, Aya and Ohm, born in 2023.
Swank has never shared her children’s faces publicly, which may explain her initial reaction.
Bafus shared Swank’s private apology with the media, emphasizing that the gesture was appreciated, though she requested the messages not be reproduced.
Her husband, Bryan Bafus, added perspective on the situation: “I feel like when you’re in that profession, being photographed is part of the job.
We’re not upset, just surprised.”
No Hard Feelings and a Magical Disney Visit
Despite the awkward encounter, the family’s Disneyland adventure went off without a hitch.
The Make-A-Wish team treated Mason and Jack like VIPs, granting them special access to rides and experiences.
“They let us ride as long as we wanted, and they even had special experiences for Mason on the Web Slingers ride,” Jada said, noting how staff went out of their way to accommodate the boys.
The family emphasized that Swank’s moment of frustration did not dampen their excitement for the trip.
Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Mason was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at age four, already having undergone three brain surgeries for a separate Chiari malformation condition.
Jack received his diagnosis three months later at 18 months old.
Families affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy often face early wheelchair dependency between ages 10 and 13 and a lifespan into the late 20s.
The Bafus family uses social media to raise awareness and hopes for FDA approval of emerging treatments to maintain quality of life.
“It’s not necessarily about curing it, but giving them a chance to live as normally as possible,” Jada explained.
Swank’s Storied Career and Family Life
Swank’s career skyrocketed after her role in Boys Don’t Cry (1999), which earned her a Best Actress Oscar, followed by Million Dollar Baby (2005), securing her a rare second win.
She is now one of only 15 actresses with multiple Oscars.
The actress lives in a $3.5 million coastal home in Bellingham, Washington, and is married to Philip Schneider, with whom she shares twins Aya and Ohm.
Swank’s protective nature as a parent perhaps explains her initial reaction at the airport.
A Reminder of Humanity Behind the Celebrity
The incident at LAX underscores the challenges celebrities face in public, and the misunderstandings that can arise in hectic environments.
Swank’s follow-up apology and the family’s gracious response highlight empathy, showing that even stars can have moments of tension, and that goodwill can prevail—even in a crowded airport.
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