Selma Blair, a 54-year-old actress, was arrested late Sunday following allegations of harming two flight attendants during a flight from Los Angeles to New York. Additionally, she is accused of assaulting a police officer and a nurse after being transported to a hospital.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reported that Blair was apprehended around 11 p.m. ET on Sunday while the Delta Air Lines aircraft was stationed at the gate at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. Both Blair and one of the flight attendants were later taken to the hospital for examination.
Although specific details of the incident aboard the plane have not been disclosed by the airline, law enforcement, or the FBI, Delta emphasized in a statement that they maintain a strict policy against disruptive or illegal behavior to prioritize the safety of passengers and crew.
A spokesperson for Blair informed The Associated Press that the actress encountered a medical emergency that potentially triggered the alleged behavior.
As of late Monday, Blair remained in custody, awaiting a court appearance in Queens for the assault charges involving the police officer and nurse, as indicated by electronic court records.
This is not the first instance of Blair encountering issues on an aircraft. In a past incident in 2016, she publicly apologized for remarks made on a flight from Cancun to Los Angeles, attributing her behavior to a combination of alcohol and medication that caused her to lose consciousness.
Despite encountering personal challenges, including a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018, Blair has become a prominent advocate for disability rights. In 2023, she participated in an event at the White House along with then-president Joe Biden to commemorate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
