Actress Selma Blair was apprehended after allegedly causing harm to two flight attendants during a journey from Los Angeles to New York. Additionally, she faced charges on Monday for assaulting a police officer while being transported to the hospital and a nurse upon arrival there.
Blair, aged 54, was detained around 11 p.m. ET on Sunday as the Delta Air Lines aircraft was stationed at the gate at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The port authority mentioned that Blair and one of the flight attendants were taken to the hospital for assessment.
According to charging documents filed by a police officer escorting her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Blair resisted being secured to a stretcher and kicked the officer multiple times in the face, neck, and chest, leading to severe pain and significant swelling. Subsequently, a nurse reported that Blair kicked her in the chest, causing substantial pain.
Blair was formally charged with two counts of second-degree assault in Queens late on Monday. In court, she appeared emotional as she stood handcuffed, dressed in jeans and a white hooded sweatshirt.
During the court proceedings, one of Blair’s attorneys, Shawn Barnes, asserted that her actions were unintentional. He stated that the actress, who battles multiple sclerosis, had missed several doses of a potent medication that manages severe neurological symptoms. Barnes explained that Blair boarded the flight from Los Angeles after a demanding schedule, and a head injury during the flight, combined with the altitude, led to a state of severe confusion and disorientation.
The judge assigned a bail of $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond US and scheduled the next hearing for January. Following the court appearance, Blair departed with her legal representatives.
Although details of the incident on the plane were not immediately disclosed by the airline, police, or the FBI, Delta emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive or unlawful behavior, prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew.
In radio communications with air traffic control, the Delta pilot requested medical personnel at the gate to address bite marks and a bloody nose but indicated that ambulances were not required.
This incident is not the first time Blair, known for her roles in films like “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Hellboy,” encountered issues on a plane. In 2016, Blair publicly apologized for statements made on a flight from Cancun to Los Angeles, attributing her behavior to a mix of alcohol and medication resulting in a blackout.
In recent years, since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, Blair has been an advocate for disability rights and participated in events like celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary at the White House alongside then-president Joe Biden in 2023.