Selma Blair, a well-known actress, was taken into custody following accusations of causing harm to two flight attendants during a flight from Los Angeles to New York. Additionally, she faced charges on Monday for allegedly assaulting a police officer who was escorting her to the hospital and a nurse upon her arrival.
The incident unfolded around 11 p.m. ET on Sunday at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport when Blair, 54, was apprehended while the Delta Air Lines aircraft was docked at the gate. Both Blair and one of the flight attendants were later transported to a hospital for assessment as confirmed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
According to charging documents, a police officer detailed that while securing Blair to a stretcher at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, she resisted by kicking repeatedly, causing significant pain and swelling around the officer’s face, neck, and chest. Subsequently, a nurse also reported being kicked in the chest by Blair, resulting in substantial discomfort.
In a court appearance in Queens, Blair was arraigned on two counts of second-degree assault, visibly emotional as she stood handcuffed in jeans and a white hooded sweatshirt. Her attorney, Shawn Barnes, asserted that her actions were unintentional, attributing them to missing doses of essential medication for managing severe neurological symptoms related to her multiple sclerosis.
Barnes explained that Blair had boarded the flight after a demanding schedule in Los Angeles and had suffered a head injury during the journey. These factors, compounded by the effects of altitude, led to a state of severe confusion and disorientation, contributing to the incident.
The judge set Blair’s bail at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond US and scheduled the next hearing for January. Following the court proceedings, Blair left accompanied by her legal representatives.
While details of the in-flight disturbance were not immediately disclosed, Delta emphasized its commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive or unlawful behavior onboard. The airline assured that the safety of customers and crew remains a top priority.
During air traffic communications, the Delta pilot requested medical personnel at the gate to attend to Blair’s bite marks and bloody nose, noting that ambulances were not urgently required. The pilot indicated Blair had also sustained an injury to her head during the incident, necessitating further medical evaluation and involvement of law enforcement.
This incident is not the first time Blair, known for her roles in popular films such as “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Hellboy,” has encountered issues while traveling on a plane. In a previous incident in 2016, Blair publicly apologized for her behavior on a flight from Cancun to Los Angeles, attributing it to a combination of alcohol and medication that caused her to black out.
Despite facing challenges, Blair, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, has emerged as a vocal advocate for disability rights in recent years. Her advocacy work culminated in a significant moment when she joined former President Joe Biden at the White House in 2023 to commemorate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
