Actress Selma Blair was taken into custody following allegations of causing harm to two flight attendants during a flight from Los Angeles to New York. Additionally, she was charged with assaulting a police officer who was assisting her to the hospital, as well as a nurse upon arrival. The incident occurred at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport where Blair, aged 54, was apprehended after the Delta Air Lines plane had reached the gate at approximately 11 p.m. ET on Sunday, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Blair and one of the flight attendants were both transported to the hospital for assessment, as confirmed by the port authority. Charging documents revealed that a police officer escorting her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center reported that Blair resisted being secured to a stretcher, kicking the officer in the face, neck, and chest, resulting in significant pain and swelling. Subsequently, a nurse attending to Blair was also kicked in the chest, causing substantial pain.
Following the incident, Blair was arraigned on two counts of second-degree assault in a Queens court late Monday. During the court appearance, she appeared visibly upset, clad in handcuffs, jeans, and a white hooded sweatshirt. Her attorney, Shawn Barnes, informed the judge that Blair’s actions were not intentional and attributed them to a combination of factors including 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, where she had also sustained a head injury during the journey, leading to a state of confusion and disorientation exacerbated by the altitude.
The judge set Blair’s bail at $20,000 in cash or a $60,000 bond, scheduling the next hearing for January. Following the court proceedings, Blair departed with her legal representatives. While details of the incident onboard the aircraft were not immediately disclosed by the airline, law enforcement, or the FBI which was investigating the matter, Delta reiterated its commitment to prioritizing the safety of customers and crew, denouncing any disruptive or unlawful behavior.
In air traffic communications, the Delta pilot requested medical personnel to be present at the gate to attend to Blair’s bite marks and bloody nose, though ambulances were deemed unnecessary. The pilot also mentioned that Blair had sustained a head injury during the disturbance, indicating the need for further medical evaluation and involvement of law enforcement.
This incident is not the first time Blair, known for her roles in movies such as “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Hellboy,” has been involved in an aviation-related issue. In 2016, she publicly apologized for inappropriate behavior on a flight due to a mix of alcohol and medication that led to a blackout. In recent years, Blair, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, has been actively advocating for disability rights, including her participation in events like the anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the White House alongside former president Joe Biden in 2023.