Selma Blair Releases Statement After Arrest, 'Did Not Intend To Harm Anyone

The representative for actress Selma Blair has issued a detailed public statement addressing her recent arrest following an in-flight incident, asserting that public accounts have relied heavily on police statements and speculation rather than the full context of a medical emergency.

Publicist Jill Fritzo released the statement addressing the situation surrounding the flight. According to the statements provided to media outlets, the public narrative since the flight has been constructed primarily from initial police reports and references to older incidents.

"Since Sunday night, the public account of what happened to Selma aboard a flight to New York has been built almost entirely on a police statement and a decade-old headline. A handful of journalists have taken the time to report on Selma as a human being rather than a headline, and we are grateful to them. But fair reporting has been the exception, and in the space left by our silence, speculation has hardened into something being treated as fact. We can, however, correct the record on a few points already in public circulation. 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."

Jill Fritzo, Publicist, via USA TODAY and PEOPLE

Medical Context and Health Background

The incident occurred on a flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York City. Port Authority police responded to the arriving flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where authorities reported that Blair had allegedly punched one flight attendant and bitten another. Two flight attendants sustained injuries, resulting in one being hospitalized. Blair was also transported for medical evaluation.

During transport from the terminal to an ambulance, Blair allegedly kicked Port Authority Police Department Officer Maria Suarez repeatedly in the face, neck, and chest. A registered nurse involved in the transport also alleged that Blair kicked her in the chest, causing substantial pain. Court documents and legal representatives noted that the actress had worked long hours, fallen and hit her head aboard the aircraft, and missed doses of powerful medication used to control severe neurological symptoms.

Blair publicly disclosed her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, a chronic degenerative autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system, in an Instagram post. Her representative forcefully defended her medical history against public skepticism.

"The suggestion by anyone, that Selma does not have multiple sclerosis is outrageous. Her diagnosis has been public since 2018. What Selma has been able to do physically in the years since is nothing short of a miracle. She still has bad days, and she lives with pain daily."

Jill Fritzo, Publicist, via USA TODAY

The statement further explained that Blair lives with pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition secondary to multiple sclerosis characterized by sudden, uncontrollable expressions of laughter or crying that can appear distressing to observers unfamiliar with the condition. Fritzo noted that Blair travels with a service dog due to her condition, and that authorities separated her from the animal during the response.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

Following her hospital evaluation, Blair appeared in Queens Criminal Court for arraignment. She pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony second-degree assault. She was released after posting bail.

Legal Detail	Information
Charges	Two counts of felony second-degree assault
Plea	Not Guilty
Bail Terms	$20,000 cash/credit or $60,000 bond
Federal Involvement	FBI investigation confirmed

In addition to the state charges prosecuted in New York court, the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that it is investigating the incident aboard the aircraft. Blair's defense attorney told the court that the actions were unintentional and linked to missed medication doses and a fall on the plane.

Professional Output and Advocacy

The statement from Blair's representative also highlighted her extensive professional output and advocacy work. Despite living with daily pain from her condition, Blair has maintained an active career.

According to her representative, Blair worked on multiple film and television projects, launched a skin care line, a clothing line, and a line of eye-glass readers designed for utility and accessibility. She has also remained active as an advocate for disability rights, the multiple sclerosis community, and Jewish advocacy efforts against antisemitism.

The representative emphasized that Blair had never been arrested prior to the incident, concluding that additional facts remain undisclosed and urging the public and the legal system to avoid rushing to judgment.