Downgrading a CK member after being seated would indicate there were no other lesser statuses and the cabin was full of paid F tickets. Otherwise, might the GA have gone to the lowest elite on the totem pole? I guess not totally out of the question on heavy routes, and it wouldn't be the first story of a complimentary upgrade being rescinded.
or they could have sat the entitled "celeb," who in this case is a washed up 90's athlete in coach instead of upgrading him and downgrading a CK member.