‘Silent’ Star Selma Blair (54) Charged With Assault After Delta Flight Incident as Rep Cites Medical Emergency
Selma Blair has spent much of her recent career using her platform to advocate for people living with disabilities. The ‘Cruel Intentions’ and ‘Legally Blonde’ actress has been open about her health, and as recently as September 23, she appeared at Variety’s Power of Women event in Beverly Hills.
This week, however, the 54-year-old became the subject of a very different kind of headline. Reports emerged on Monday about an incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York.
According to multiple reports, the incident took place on Sunday night aboard Delta flight 938 as it traveled from Los Angeles International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Blair allegedly bit one flight attendant and left another with injuries, and reports also claim she tried to open a plane door while the aircraft was in the air.
A law enforcement source told CNN that the flight crew had to restrain Blair. Two flight attendants reported injuries, with one receiving treatment at a hospital. Delta said there was no operational impact on the flight, which arrived ahead of schedule. Law enforcement was waiting when the plane landed at JFK, and Blair was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for evaluation.
🚨 Selma Blair allegedly caused chaos aboard a Delta Airlines flight — punching one flight attendant and biting another after trying to open the plane’s door in the middle of the flight. https://t.co/YnfqQEjRsN
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 12, 2026
Blair was arraigned Monday evening in Queens Criminal Court on 2 counts of second-degree assault. According to reports, the state charges relate to alleged incidents involving a Port Authority police officer and a nurse after she was removed from the plane. She pleaded not guilty.
Bail was set at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond, and Blair posted the $20,000, paid by credit card, before being released. Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 19, 2027. The FBI said it had been contacted about a potential assault aboard the flight but does not comment on ongoing investigations.
🚨 Selma Blair arrested, attacks flight crew in mid-air. TMZ also obtained audio from an eyewitness of when Blair was exiting the plane at JFK Airport. https://t.co/lPQd7PU7P4
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 12, 2026
Blair’s representative has said her health was behind the incident. “Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition,” the representative told Variety.
In court, Blair’s attorneys echoed that explanation. According to pool video of the hearing, they told the judge they did not believe the incident was an intentional assault and noted that Blair has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and parkinsonism.
After seeing photos from this moment all over my feed following the incident on Selma Blair’s flight to New York, I decided to share the full video. Blair arrived at Christian Siriano’s New York Fashion Week show with her service dog in September 2024. Her representative says she experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct and is now stable.
— New York Mickey (@MickmickNYC) October 13, 2026
The representative did not provide further details about the nature of the medical emergency. Blair herself has not yet publicly commented on the situation. The case remains in its early stages, and the allegations have not been proven in court. As the legal process moves forward, more details are likely to emerge about what happened during the flight and its aftermath.
Blair has long been admired for her openness about living with chronic illness. Many fans have expressed concern for her well-being as the story continues to unfold. For now, Blair is out on bail as she awaits her January court date. Her team has stressed that she received medical care and is currently stable.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about medical emergencies in the air and how they are handled. It has also highlighted the challenges faced by flight crews and passengers when such situations arise.
What are your thoughts on the Selma Blair flight incident and her team’s medical emergency explanation?
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