Selma Blair’s Team Claims Medical Emergency Led to Plane Incident and Arrest

Selma Blair experienced a medical emergency during a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York, according to a lengthy statement released by her representative on Friday. The actor’s team disputed public accounts of her subsequent arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport, stating there was no attempt to open an aircraft door and no intent to harm anyone.

Blair's Representatives Address Her Medical Diagnosis

The statement issued to People by representative Jill Fritzo and originally reported there aimed to correct public accounts built largely on initial police statements. Blair’s spokesperson noted that the actor had worked on seven film and television projects in 2026 and addressed her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, which she disclosed publicly in 2018. The statement explained that Blair experiences pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition secondary to multiple sclerosis characterized by uncontrollable expressions of laughter or crying. Her representative also stated that Blair travels constantly with a service dog who does not leave her side, and that authorities removed the dog during the incident.

Appearing in Queens Criminal Court on Monday, Blair pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault. Her defense attorney, Shawn Barnes, stated at the hearing that the actor had endured extensive hours on a set, fell and hit her head aboard the plane, and missed several doses of a powerful medication controlling severe neurological symptoms. Barnes maintained that the episode constituted a medical emergency rather than an intentional assault.

The Arrest Details and Charges Filed

Law enforcement officials stated that Blair allegedly bit one flight attendant and left another with lacerations during the Sunday flight. Upon landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the 54-year-old actor was taken into custody and transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Prosecutors alleged that she subsequently kicked a Port Authority Police Department officer and a nurse while being transported to the facility. Following her arraignment on Monday, Blair was released from custody on $20,000 bail.

Beyond state-level charges, federal authorities have also scrutinized the event. The Federal Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into the alleged onboard incidents.

Remaining Questions and Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The Friday statement from Blair’s representatives emphasized that the actor had never been arrested prior to Sunday night and urged the public to consider the entirety of the facts before reaching conclusions. Federal investigators have not yet announced whether formal federal charges will be filed against Blair in connection with the flight.

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More on this story: Selma Blair Arrested After Alleged Assault on Delta Flight Attendants · Selma Blair reportedly attacked flight attendants on Delta Airlines plane