Key Takeaways
- Selma Blair apologized in an emotional Oct. 30 Instagram video to anyone she hurt or frightened after her Oct. 11 flight arrest, but declined to discuss specifics on her lawyers’ advice.
- Blair pleaded not guilty to two second-degree assault counts over allegations she kicked an officer and a nurse; her attorneys attributed the incident to severe confusion from missed MS medication, long work hours and altitude.
- Blair thanked supporters and said she would focus on her health and son as she awaits her next state court date on Jan. 19, 2027.
Selma Blair is breaking her silence about her arrest last month after allegedly assaulting the crew of a Delta flight.
On Oct. 30, Blair posted a video, fighting back tears, apologizing for why it took so long for her to speak up.
"Hi, it's me, and I know I've been quiet for a couple of weeks since October 11th,” she said. “You deserve to hear from me directly, and I'm sorry that it's taken this long.”
Blair continued, saying, "Not one day ever have I intended to hurt or frighten anyone a day in my life. Blair then launched into her apology. ?And so to the people that I disappointed, that I hurt, that I frightened, alarmed, I am so sorry,” she said
Blair did not go into the specifics of the flight and pointed to the pending case instead.
"There is a legal matter going on, and my lawyers have asked me to not say anything about that day and I'm listening to them, and I take this very seriously," she said.
She has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and was released on bond. The complaint alleges she kicked a Port Authority officer and a Jamaica Hospital nurse. The nurse was granted an order of protection.
Blair also received a federal violation notice for assault within the "special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States," answerable in Brooklyn's federal petty violations court. If she is convicted on the assault counts, she could face two to seven years in prison.
In the video, Blair thanked supporters who reached out and said their messages "meant everything to me and my son who is my world," referring to her son, Arthur Saint Bleick. She added that Scout, the service dog who was with her on the flight, is also OK.
She closed with a promise to focus on her health and her son.
"So right now I'm going to be taking care of my health and my son and thinking of you all with gratitude and love," she said.
Delta Flight 938 from Los Angeles landed at JFK around 11 p.m. on Oct. 11. Port Authority police responded to a call about "a physically abusive passenger." Two flight attendants reported injuries, and pilot audio mentioned "a bloody nose as well as some bite marks."
"Selma Blair experienced a medical emergency on the flight,” said Blair’s rep in a statement to People. “There was no attempt to open the door of the aircraft. Selma did not intend to harm anyone.”
Her attorneys say Blair missed doses of her MS medication and worked "extensive" hours on set before she boarded. "These factors coupled with the altitude resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation... This was not an intentional assault," her attorneys said.
Blair's state assault case is adjourned to Jan. 19, 2027.
