Hilary Swank Shares a Tense Moment with Mother of Terminally Ill Children at the Airport – Details

A dream trip meant to bring joy to a family with two terminally ill children took a jarring and painful twist at Los Angeles International Airport last week when the A-list actress lashed out, completely unaware of who she was speaking to.

Hilary Swank, known for her Oscar-winning performances and powerful screen presence, found herself at the center of a heartbreaking misunderstanding when she directed biting words at a mother traveling with her sons, both battling a fatal disease. But there is always a way to make things right, and the actress took it.

A Family on the Brink of Magic

The moment unfolded just as Bryan and Jada Bafus, parents of two young boys named Mason and Jack Bafus, were beginning what should have been the happiest journey of their lives.

The family, from Spokane, Washington, had been granted a Make-A-Wish Foundation trip to Disneyland in Anaheim.

It was a magical escape made all the more precious because both sons suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a cruel and incurable illness that slowly steals muscle strength, even from the heart.

Mason, diagnosed in 2023 at just four years old, had already undergone three brain surgeries for a Chiari malformation before receiving this life-altering news. His younger brother, Jack, was only 18 months old when he was diagnosed with the same devastating condition.

While the trip was technically for Mason, four-year-old Jack came along for the ride, a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the boys to live a dream. But their parents never imagined what would unfold the moment they arrived at LAX.

A Shocking Encounter in Baggage Claim

At the airport, Jada became momentarily separated from Bryan and their sons while walking through baggage claim. That's when she realized that a familiar celebrity face was beside her: Hilary, an actress she recognized instantly.

In that surreal moment, Jada didn't ask for an autograph. She got distracted and simply reached for her phone, intending to call her husband.

"I was trying to call him and I think I just took my phone out the wrong time. She just thought I was taking a picture of her," Jada told the Daily Mail on December 10, 2025. The consequence of that simple action was explosive.

Before she could explain, Hilary confronted her with cutting remarks, completely unaware of who she was speaking to or why she had her phone out.

"I hope you enjoy that picture," the actress snapped. Then, according to an Instagram post from Jada, the actress added another blow, "You get what you needed? Get you what came for?"

In the confusion, the mother-of-two tried to clarify that she hadn't taken any photos, but the Academy Award winner walked away, leaving her in disbelief.

Grace in the Face of Humiliation

Even after such a jarring encounter, Jada refused to respond with bitterness. Instead, she offered understanding and a remarkably kind perspective.

She told the Daily Mail that she believed Hilary wasn't intentionally cruel. Rather, she was likely having a "bad day," and the moment was just a misunderstanding. Still, it affected her.

"It just hurt my feelings because I was starting my son's Make-A-Wish trip, which she wouldn't have known," she said. "But just one of those situations where it was one of my first encounters with a celebrity so I thought it was a little comical."

Jada added, "We just don't know what others are going through and I was just a stressed mom trying to navigate LAX."

Her Husband Speaks Out

Bryan also shared his thoughts about the encounter and questioned why a two-time Oscar winner would be so quick to lash out over something as common as a phone being out in public.

He noted that LAX is filled with celebrity photographers, and being watched, even filmed, is part of the world entertainers live in.

"And Jada wasn't necessarily taking photos of her, but so to have like, to snap back at anybody when you're in that profession is kind of like work, I don't know — it is what it is," he told the Daily Mail.

But the couple made it clear they don't hold a grudge or want anything. They had only posted about the encounter online because it was so surreal. They never expected it to go viral, and certainly never imagined they would hear from Hilary Swank herself.

An Unexpected Response From the Actress

To their total surprise, the actress reached out privately on December 8 with a personal apology via Instagram.

She explained that she had been on high alert over concerns about her twins, Aya and Ohm, whom she and husband Philip Schneider welcomed in 2023. The couple has taken care to shield their children from the public eye, even refusing to show their faces on social media.

Jada showed the Daily Mail the messages but requested they not be published. Still, she confirmed that the actress not only apologized, she asked what she could do to help the boys.

"I did not expect Hilary Swank to directly talk to me. It was just like a 'woah, I was taken back,'" Jada said.

Magic at Disneyland

Thankfully, the unpleasant airport moment did nothing to overshadow the wonder of their Disneyland adventure.

According to Jada, Make-A-Wish and Disney staff treated them like royalty. She said the cast members clearly had experience working with children facing life-threatening conditions.

The family received ride priority, access to special experiences, and an outpouring of kindness from the park.

One of the most touching moments came at California Adventure's Web Slingers ride, where Mason was partially suited up as Spider-Man and given a custom ride experience that made him feel like a hero.

Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are typically expected to live into their late 20s, though many require wheelchairs by the age of ten and 13.

The Bafus family has created a public social media page to raise awareness about the disease and document their journey.

They are also advocating for FDA approval of new treatments, hoping that while a cure may not be possible, medicine could help their sons live more freely during the time they do have.