Selma Blair has broken her silence following her arrest over an alleged disturbance aboard a Delta Air Lines flight, insisting that she experienced a medical emergency and did not intend to hurt anyone.
The 54-year-old actress was arrested after the flight from Los Angeles arrived at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport on 11 October.
Authorities allege that Blair punched one flight attendant and bit another during the journey. She is also accused of repeatedly kicking a Port Authority police officer while being taken to hospital and assaulting a nurse after arriving there.
“There is much more to this story than has been reported,” Blair’s spokesperson said in a lengthy statement to People.
“There was no attempt to open the door”
Blair’s team directly disputed one of the most alarming allegations to emerge following the incident.
“Selma Blair experienced a medical emergency on the flight,” the spokesperson said. “There was no attempt to open the door of the aircraft. Selma did not intend to harm anyone.”
The representative criticised coverage of the case for relying heavily on an official police account and reports about a previous in-flight incident involving Blair in 2016.
According to the statement, speculation surrounding the latest disturbance had begun to be treated as established fact while Blair and her representatives remained silent.
Blair’s team points to MS diagnosis
Blair publicly revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic condition affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Her spokesperson said she continues to experience daily pain and “bad days” despite making significant physical progress in recent years.
The statement also revealed that Blair has pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition associated with her multiple sclerosis that can cause sudden or uncontrollable emotional reactions.
Her team argued that the condition was relevant to understanding how a medical episode might appear to people unfamiliar with her health problems.
The spokesperson added that Blair normally travels with a service dog and alleged that authorities took the animal away from her after the flight.
Blair pleads not guilty
Blair was taken to hospital for an evaluation following her arrest.
She later appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault connected to the alleged attacks on a police officer and a nurse. A judge set bail at $20,000 cash or a $60,000 bond.
Federal authorities are separately investigating the allegations involving the flight attendants because the reported incident occurred aboard an aircraft.
One crew member reportedly suffered a laceration, while another was said to have sustained bite injuries. At least one flight attendant was taken to hospital.
Delta Air Lines said it has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful conduct and that the safety of its passengers and employees remains its priority.
Blair’s next court appearance is reportedly scheduled for January 2027. The allegations against her have not been proven in court.
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