Joel Libed went viral after airport security pulled him aside over his carry-on packed with cans of SPAM.
A Massachusetts man named Joel Libed has found himself in the spotlight after a rather humorous incident at the airport. His bag, brimming with various cans of SPAM, caught the attention of TSA agents, leading to a memorable and funny moment.
In an exclusive chat, Joel, a singer, shared that his travels were part of the professional Irish dancing show, ‘A Taste of Ireland.’ While in Austin, Minnesota—home to the famed SPAM museum—Joel’s adventure truly began.
‘When we reached Austin, I made it clear I wanted to see the SPAM museum,’ Joel, aged 33, recalls. ‘Sadly, we only had a brief 20 minutes, but the staff there were incredibly kind and welcoming.’
Growing up in Hawaii, where SPAM is a staple, Joel has always had a deep fondness for the meat. ‘In Hawaii, SPAM is part of our culture and cuisine,’ he explains.
Though the visit to the museum was short, destiny had more in store for Joel. Later at the show, he discovered a delightful connection. ‘One of the costume staff for our show also worked at the museum. When I mentioned my Hawaiian roots and love for SPAM, she did something incredible,’ Joel continues.
‘She left and returned with an entire case of SPAM for me! I was over the moon and ended up carrying that case through the rest of the tour,’ he laughs.
As the tour concluded and Joel prepared to fly back to Massachusetts, he faced a dilemma: ‘My luggage was overweight,’ he says. ‘So, I decided to carry all the SPAM in my bag.’
Before heading to the airport, it didn’t cross Joel’s mind that his precious SPAM might draw attention. ‘It’s just sealed food,’ he thought. But the TSA agents had another perspective.
In a video posted on TikTok, Joel is seen being pulled aside at the security line. The agents, amused and curious, began pulling out can after can of SPAM from his tote bag. ‘It’s a whole case of SPAM,’ Joel is heard explaining, chuckling along with the agents. ‘I’m so embarrassed,’ he admits in the video.
Joel didn’t just have the original SPAM; he had an assortment of flavors. ‘My favorite is hot and spicy,’ he shares. ‘But I also had turkey, maple, jalapeño, tocino (Filipino sausage), teriyaki, and a few others.’
The video quickly went viral, racking up over 4 million views and 400,000 likes. Joel’s friends, family, and fellow SPAM enthusiasts couldn’t get enough of his unexpected fame.
‘When I’m not performing, I work as a server at Welly’s Restaurant in Hudson. Everyone there has enjoyed my SPAM moment,’ Joel jokes. Many TikTok users even reached out to express surprise at the variety of SPAM flavors.
Despite the peculiar circumstances, Joel managed to get through airport security without any major issues, though not without some curious glances and a quick test on the cans by TSA.
Since sharing his tale, Joel has received even more SPAM. ‘The folks at SPAM saw the video and loved it. They’re sending me more to try,’ he reveals. ‘It’s been a delightful experience, and the support has been incredible.’
Joel finishes with a smile, ‘I’m thrilled this video brought so much joy and united the SPAM community.’
