Selma Blair's Representative States Actress Suffered Medical Emergency During Flight

Selma Blair's representative has issued a statement asserting that the actress experienced a medical emergency on a Delta Air Lines flight and had no intention of harming anyone, in response to her recent arrest and subsequent charges.

The statement, provided to People, countered what it described as a public account built largely on a police statement and an older headline. Blair's representative clarified that there was no attempt to open the aircraft door, emphasizing that the actress suffered a medical emergency during the flight.

"Selma Blair experienced a medical emergency on the flight. There was no attempt to open the door of the aircraft. Selma did not intend to harm anyone," the spokesperson stated. They added that the suggestion that Blair does not have multiple sclerosis, a condition she publicly revealed in 2018, is "outrageous." The statement explained that Blair also has pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition secondary to MS, which can affect how medical episodes present. Her service dog, which travels with her and does not leave her side, was reportedly taken from her by authorities.

Blair was arrested on Sunday, October 11, and arraigned on Monday, October 12, in Queens Criminal Court on two counts of second-degree assault. The charges stem from alleged assaults on a nurse and a police officer after an incident involving crew members on the flight that arrived from Los Angeles. Blair pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Her attorney, Shawn Barnes, reportedly told the court that Blair had missed several doses of a prescribed medication for severe neurological symptoms. Barnes also indicated that Blair had been working extensive hours on set prior to the flight and had fallen and hit her head during the journey. These factors, combined with altitude, allegedly led to a state of confusion and disorientation. Federal charges are expected to be handled separately.

Delta confirmed that law enforcement responded to an incident upon the flight's arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport, stating the airline has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior. Sources also told TMZ that Blair allegedly punched one flight attendant and bit another.

Blair's representative highlighted her continued work in film and television, her entrepreneurial ventures including skincare, clothing, and reader glasses lines, and her advocacy for disability rights and the Jewish community. The statement concluded by asking for consideration of all facts before judgment, noting that Blair had no prior arrests before this incident.