Laura Benanti shares funny story of being unrecognized by theater kids on a flight

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:21:00 +0200

Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti recently had a humorous encounter mid-flight when she found herself surrounded by a group of theater-loving teenagers who didn't recognize her. Despite her extensive Broadway and TV career, none of the young passengers seemed to know who she was. In a TikTok video, Benanti estimated that around 83% of the passengers were part of a youth theater group, and she decided to approach them. After confirming they were theater students, she casually mentioned that she, too, worked in theater, only to receive a nonchalant 'Cool' in return. Laughing off the awkward moment, she joked 'RIP' and embraced the humor of the situation. The video quickly went viral, with fans finding it relatable and funny. The story served as a reminder that even well-known performers sometimes have moments where they aren't recognized, especially by younger generations. Benanti took the situation in stride, showing that recognition isn't always guaranteed, no matter how success