Actress Selma Blair was arrested Sunday night following an alleged disturbance aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York that had arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to the Port Authority Police Department. Authorities said the incident involved a passenger accused of physical aggression, while the actress's representative stated that she had experienced a medical emergency.
Police responded to the situation shortly after the aircraft landed at JFK. According to officials, two flight attendants reported injuries connected to the incident. One of the attendants was taken to a hospital for further medical evaluation.
Blair, 54, was taken into custody shortly after 11 p.m. on Sunday and subsequently transported to a hospital, police said. The circumstances surrounding the reported disturbance remain under investigation.
The actress appeared in Queens Criminal Court on Monday, where she pleaded not guilty to two assault charges, according to The Associated Press. Allegations presented during her court appearance included claims that Blair kicked an on-duty police officer in the face, neck and chest. She was also accused of kicking a nurse in the chest after being taken to the hospital.
The allegations were described in video footage from the court proceedings. However, Blair has pleaded not guilty, and the charges have not been established as proven facts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed on Monday that it was investigating the incident. The FBI is responsible for investigating certain assaults that occur aboard aircraft. Officials declined to provide additional details while the investigation continues.
A representative for Blair offered a different perspective on the events, saying the actress had experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged behavior.
“Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition,” the representative said in a statement.
The representative did not explain the nature of the medical emergency or provide further information about what happened before the plane landed. It also remains unclear what specific circumstances preceded the reported confrontation with airline personnel and emergency responders.
Following her court appearance, Blair was seen leaving the courthouse wearing a white hoodie and aviator sunglasses. She did not make any public comments about the case as she departed. Her next court hearing was scheduled for January.
Despite the reported incident, the flight itself experienced no operational disruptions. According to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, the aircraft arrived at JFK ahead of its scheduled time.
Delta Air Lines also addressed the matter in a statement, emphasizing the company's commitment to maintaining a safe environment for passengers and employees.
The airline said it has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful conduct, adding that the safety of its customers and crew members remains its highest priority.
The incident has drawn attention to Blair's long-standing health challenges. In 2018, the actress publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. The condition can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, mobility difficulties and problems with coordination, although its effects vary from person to person.
Blair has spoken openly about living with the illness and the impact it has had on her personal and professional life. Her experiences were documented in the 2021 film Introducing, Selma Blair, which explored her health journey and efforts to adapt to life with the condition.
The actress is known for her performances in films including Cruel Intentions and Hellboy. Over the years, she has also become an advocate for greater awareness of multiple sclerosis and the challenges faced by people living with chronic illnesses.
Sunday's reported incident is not the first time Blair has faced scrutiny over an episode during air travel. In 2016, she was removed from a flight traveling from Cancun to Los Angeles following a disruptive outburst.
At the time, Blair addressed the episode in a statement to Vanity Fair, explaining that a combination of alcohol and medication had caused her to black out and behave in ways she regretted. She acknowledged that her actions had been inappropriate and expressed remorse.
The earlier incident has resurfaced in public discussion following the latest allegations, although the circumstances of the two events have not been established as connected.
For now, the investigation into the JFK flight incident remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly provided further details about the alleged assault or the medical emergency described by Blair's representative. The actress's not-guilty plea means the current charges remain allegations, and the legal process will determine how the case proceeds.
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