Selma Blair issues public apology after plane incident

Actress says she never intended to hurt or frighten anyone

Selma Blair has publicly apologised following an incident aboard a flight from Los Angeles to New York that led to her arrest and criminal charges.

The Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde actress, 54, shared a video statement on Instagram on October 30, addressing the October 11 incident at John F Kennedy International Airport. She allegedly injured a flight attendant and kicked a nurse after being removed from the aircraft.

Blair is facing two second-degree assault charges related to alleged attacks on the nurse and a Port Authority officer. In her video, the actress said her legal team had advised her against discussing the case in detail.

"What I can tell you, though, is very simple, and the truest thing I know about myself, and that not one day ever have I intended to hurt or frighten anyone a day in my life," Blair said.

She then addressed those affected by the incident, adding: "To the people that I disappointed, that I hurt, I frightened, alarmed: I am so sorry."

Blair's representatives previously attributed the episode to a medical emergency. Her attorney, Shawn Barnes, told the court that she had boarded the flight after missing several doses of medication used to control neurological symptoms.

According to her lawyer, the missed medication, combined with the effects of altitude, resulted in severe confusion and disorientation. Barnes also said Blair had fallen and hit her head during the flight.

The actress was released from custody on $20,000 bail the day after the incident.

Blair is scheduled to return to court in Queens on January 19, where proceedings related to the charges are expected to continue.

Blair won her first professional role in a 1995 episode of the children's sitcom The Adventures of Pete & Pete. In 1996, she landed her first feature film role in the comedy The Broccoli Theory. In 1997, she made her first appearance in a mainstream feature film, the comedy In & Out. She auditioned six times for the role and remained on-set for several weeks, but most of her scenes were cut from the film's final version.

Her first lead role was in the film Strong Island Boys. She then won the lead in the 1997 fantasy film Amazon High. The film did not air, but portions of it were used in the 2000 Xena: Warrior Princess episode "Lifeblood". She subsequently appeared in several independent and short productions, including the award-winning Debutante.

The case remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been established in court. Her apology marks her first public statement addressing the incident directly, as she continues to face legal proceedings in New York.