Selma Blair apologizes to those affected by mid-flight meltdown that led to her arrest
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Selma Blair has broken her social media silence following her arrest earlier this month over an alleged in-flight meltdown aboard a Delta Airlines flight.
The 'Legally Blonde' actress addressed the incident in an emotional Instagram video on Friday, apologizing to those affected while explaining that her lawyers had advised her against discussing the details of that day. Blair also shared that she would be focusing on her health and her son during the ongoing legal proceedings.
Selma Blair apologizes to those affected by alleged in-flight incident
“Hi, it’s me. I know I’ve been quiet for a couple weeks since Oct. 11,” Blair said in the Instagram video. “You deserve to hear from me directly, and I’m sorry it’s taken this long.”
The 54-year-old actress explained that she could not discuss the incident because of the ongoing legal matter. “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. I take this very seriously,” she said.
However, Blair offered a personal statement about her intentions, saying, “What I can tell you, though, is very simple and the truest thing I know about myself. Not one day ever have I intended to hurt or frighten anyone a day in my life.”
She subsequently apologized to those she had “disappointed,” “hurt,” “frightened” and “alarmed.” Becoming emotional, the actress added, “I am so sorry.” Blair also expressed gratitude to people who had reached out following the incident.
She said their messages, calls and wishes of love and support had meant everything to her and her son, Arthur Saint Bleick, whom she described as her world. She also reassured supporters that Scout was doing "okay."
The 'Cruel Intentions' star said her immediate priority would be taking care of her health, her son and the people supporting her, adding that she would approach the process with gratitude and love.
Selma Blair faces assault charges after alleged Delta Airlines incident
Blair was arrested earlier this month following an alleged altercation aboard a Delta Airlines flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York. She was accused of punching a flight attendant and biting another crew member during the incident.
According to reports, Blair was placed in restraints while still aboard the aircraft and taken into custody after the flight landed. She allegedly kicked a Port Authority police officer in the head multiple times while being transported to the hospital in an ambulance. She was also accused of assaulting a nurse at the hospital, who subsequently pressed charges against her.
Following the incident, Blair's representative told Page Six that the actress had “experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct.” Delta Airlines also addressed the situation in a statement, saying, “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first.”
Blair pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault in court shortly after the incident and was released on bail. If convicted, she could face between two and seven years behind bars.
Her attorneys attributed the incident to Blair missing medication prescribed to treat her multiple sclerosis, along with working “extensive hours” and “exhaustive hours” on set in the days before the flight. According to her attorney Shawn Barnes, these circumstances, combined with the altitude, resulted in “a state of severe confusion and disorientation.”
“This was not an intentional assault,” Barnes said. Blair had previously addressed the situation through her representative, who broke her silence on the incident on her behalf and suggested there was “much more to this story.”
