Selma Blair breaks silence on plane arrest with new statement

Selma Blair addresses plane arrest as her representative cites a medical emergency and denies intent to harm anyone

Actress Selma Blair has addressed her recent arrest following an alleged altercation aboard a Delta Air Lines flight, with her representative saying she experienced a medical emergency and did not intend to hurt anyone.

In a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE on October 16, Blair’s spokesperson said public reports had largely relied on a police statement and an earlier headline. The representative argued that important details surrounding the incident had not been fully reported.

“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 statement said.

Blair, 54, was arrested at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on October 11 after the alleged incident. She appeared in court the following day and pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault. She was subsequently released on bail.

Her representative also addressed Blair’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, which she publicly disclosed in 2018. The spokesperson said the actress continues to experience daily pain and also has pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition associated with her MS that can affect emotional expression. The statement further noted that Blair travels with a service dog.

According to PEOPLE, a criminal court affidavit accused Blair of repeatedly kicking a police officer and striking a nurse in the chest. The FBI confirmed that it was investigating the incident, while Delta Air Lines reiterated its commitment to the safety of passengers and crew.

The representative urged the public to consider all available facts before reaching conclusions about the case, adding that there was more to the incident than had been reported.

Blair, known for films including Cruel Intentions, has previously spoken publicly about living with multiple sclerosis and advocating for disability rights. The legal proceedings surrounding the October 11 incident remain separate from her representative’s account of what happened aboard the flight.