By Ishita Srivastava, Dailymail.Com
Updated on 2024-06-20 04:14, 2024-06-20 04:44
A much-loved professional mime performer who entertained SeaWorld guests for 36 years has expressed his sadness at being suddenly fired.
Lynn Frye, better known as Lynn the Mime, has garnered a huge fanbase over the years performing for audiences at Florida theme parks.
But when Lin arrived at work recently, he was reprimanded by a security guard for having been riding a bike for years, leading to a disagreement that ultimately led to him losing his job.
Lin claims she was denied a chance to tell her side of the story to SeaWorld executives, was fired without any direct comfort from SeaWorld and was never given the chance to perform one last time.
His plight has prompted thousands of people to show their support online.
“This was their decision, not mine, and I intend to tell this story,” he said.
In May, Lin parked her car in a parking lot like any other day and got on her bike to the amusement park.
“I was riding my bike through the guards and I saw some female guards that I’d seen many times before and I just said, ‘Good morning,'” he said in the online video.
“So I got on my bike and rode off, and as I was riding off I heard a gentleman yell out, ‘Hey, come over here!’
The mime later revealed that the man who shouted was another security guard, who had told Frey: “You’re not allowed to ride bikes in the park.”
Frey recalled responding, “Excuse me, but I’ve been biking in and out of this park for years.”
After a few minutes of back and forth, the guards ordered Frey to park his bike at a corner and walk, police said.
According to the artist, the security guard went to human resources and reported that Frey had yelled abuse at him and thrown his bike.
But the longtime professional player denies the allegations and insists he never swore at security or threw his bike.
“I never said anything mean to him. Everybody knows me and they know I wouldn’t do something like that,” he says.
“I don’t swear at people. I don’t have that habit. It’s not my personality. If you push me, then yeah, I might say something. He didn’t push me that hard. The conversation wasn’t that tense.”
Lin said she went to work two more days before receiving a call from her boss at a third-party company employed by SeaWorld informing her she was being fired.
Not only that, Lin was told she was banned from SeaWorld properties.
He said the human resources department never sought clarification on the matter.
“So SeaWorld never let me have my side of the story. They’re just judge, jury and executioner…that’s all they do. 36 years at SeaWorld. Apparently it doesn’t mean anything to them,” he said.
“I asked them to come on the show one last time. They said no. I asked to come out. I asked to tell my side of the story. They said no. There’s nothing I can do. I’m sorry, guys.”
Since being fired, the artist’s daughter has set up a GoFundMe to support his new company, The Mime Company.
He has also received a lot of support from the TikTok community, many of whom are calling for action from SeaWorld.
One viewer said: “My dad worked at SeaWorld Orlando for over 25 years and would ride his bike along the back roads. I worked there for 3 years and always looked forward to seeing you. You were always kind to everyone. I’m sorry this happened.”
Another said: “Do you think SeaWorld doesn’t realize how important you are to their visitors?”
Another pleaded: “SeaWorld Orlando please try harder! Hire this guy back and give him a raise!”
Lin said she is shocked but is trying to look on the bright side.
“I’m sad it’s ending, but excited and happy for the new adventure,” he said.
DailyMail.com has reached out to SeaWorld for comment.