Kirstie Alley never fails to make a dramatic entrance, but the dancing queen rubbed 9/11 memorial organizers the wrong way when she “demanded” a helicopter landing for the Long Island Remembers 10th anniversary tribute on Sunday.
Hundreds of firefighters and police officers gathered on the polo grounds at Bethpage State Park for 9/11 tribute services led by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano.
Steve Carl, of Carlyle on the Green, offered Alley transportation to the charitable commemoration, but reps for the restaurant told Page Six they were shocked to hear her “demand” for a helicopter landing, showbiz-style, in the middle of the polo field. Alley was informed it wouldn’t be possible to charter a chopper, since it did not comply with airspace restrictions set for Sept. 11.
“She had a set of demands that she wanted met before she made the appearance,” Leslie Gonzalez, an event organizer who reps Carlyle on the Green, told us. But, “She almost canceled the appearance because she couldn’t get a helicopter.”
Another restaurant rep chimed in, “We couldn’t believe it. It’s a memorial service, not a party.”
Alley agreed to arrive by car with fellow “Dancing With the Stars” contestant Nicole Scherzinger. A spy said, “She stayed a few hours, was very friendly and even petted the horses.”
Alley’s rep told us: “Kirstie was coming from Pennsylvania that morning, and was simply exploring all options of transportation, from Amtrak to helicopter, in order to ensure she made it on time to respect those being remembered. At no point was a demand made. Also, she ended up taking an SUV, not a limo.
“Further, at no point did she consider canceling the appearance and was happy to honor the firefighters, police officers and emergency services personnel in remembrance of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.”