NEW YORK (AP) Actor Selma Blair faced her first arrest on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York, with allegations of assaulting two flight attendants, a police officer, and a nurse. In response, her representatives released a statement asserting that she did not intend to harm anyone during the flight and clarified that all incidents stemmed from a medical emergency.
According to the statement, Blair, 54, experienced a medical crisis mid-flight, emphasizing that there was no attempt made to open the aircraft door. The statement aimed to address what Blair's team described as inaccurate narratives surrounding the events, insisting that she was not a threat to anyone on board.
The initial response from Blair’s legal team had referenced a medical emergency without elaboration. However, this latest statement provided further context, highlighting Blair's struggle with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition she has openly discussed since 2018. Blair's representatives labeled as "outrageous" any suggestion that she may not have MS, reinforcing that her condition significantly affects her daily life, which can lead to episodes that may appear alarming to those unfamiliar with her medical history.
Blair was also noted to have pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition associated with her MS that can influence her behavior during medical episodes. The statement mentioned that she travels with a service dog for support, but authorities took the dog away during the incident, adding to the distress she was already experiencing.
Details surrounding the flight incident indicate that Blair is accused of injuring two flight attendants, followed by physical confrontations with a police officer and a nurse once at the hospital. She pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault related to the airport incidents and was released on bail, with her next court appearance set for January. Additionally, the FBI issued a charge of assault against her tied to her actions aboard the flight.
Limited information has been provided by authorities about the specific circumstances that occurred during the flight. Communications from air traffic control indicated that medical personnel were requested to meet the aircraft at the gate for treating bite marks and a bloody nose, although it was deemed that ambulances were not needed.
Selma Blair, originally from Michigan, began her acting career in New York at a young age and gained fame for her roles in films such as 1999's "Cruel Intentions," 2001's "Legally Blonde," and 2004's "Hellboy." In 2016, she had previously publicized issues concerning her health when she admitted to consuming alcohol mixed with medication during a flight, which caused her to black out.
The latest statement from Blair’s representatives criticized the prevailing public narrative, suggesting that it has been formed predominantly based on a police report and older media portrayals rather than on accurate reporting. The statement expressed gratitude towards the few journalists who have taken the time to portray Blair as a compassionate individual rather than reducing her to mere headlines. It concluded by voicing concern that the narrative surrounding the recent incident has devolved into speculation disconnected from the truth.
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Dalton reported from Los Angeles.
Andrew Dalton And Michael R. Sisak, The Associated Press



