Selma Blair has apologised and insisted she never “intended to hurt or frighten anyone” following an incident which saw her arrested after being removed from an airplane earlier this month.
Selma Blair has apologised following an incident which saw her arrested after being removed from an aeroplane earlier this month.
The Cruel Intentions star issued an emotional statement and insisted she never “intended to hurt or frighten anyone” when she was allegedly involved in an altercation with flight attendants during a flight to New York City on October 11.
Speaking in a video shared to Instagram, Selma said: “Hi, it’s me. I know I’ve been quiet for a couple of weeks since October 11, and you deserve to hear from me directly, and I’m sorry that it’s taken this long.
“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. And I take this very seriously.
“What I can tell you though, is very simple and the truest thing I know about myself, and that not one day ever have I intended to hurt or frighten anyone a day in my life. And so, to the people that I disappointed, that I hurt, that I frightened, alarmed, I am so sorry.”
The 54-year-old actress – who has 15-year-old son Arthur with former partner Jason Bleick – thanked those who have messaged to offer support to her and her family and gave reassurance about her service dog Scout, who was with her on the flight.
She added: “And to the people that have written or called or sent wishes of love or caring, it has meant everything to me and my son, who is my world, as is Scout, who is also OK.
“So, right now, I’m going to be taking care of my health and my son, and thinking of you all with gratitude and love.”
Following the alleged incident, New York Port Authority police arrested Selma after the flight from Los Angeles landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. She was accused of punching one flight attendant and biting another. She was also accused of kicking a police officer at the airport and a nurse at the hospital where she was taken.
Selma has pleaded not guilty to two charges of second-degree assault in connection with the alleged incidents involving the police officer and the nurse. She was released on bail and is due back in court in January.
The Hellboy actress’ spokesperson previously insisted she had suffered a “medical emergency” on board the flight.
Her representative said: “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.
“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.”
In 2018, Selma confirmed that she’d been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Speaking about the recent incident in New York, the spokesperson said: “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. Selma also has pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition secondary to her MS, which bears directly on how a medical episode presents to people who do not know her.
“For the same reason, she travels with a service dog who doesn’t leave her side, and the authorities took her dog from her.”
Selma Blair breaks silence over airplane incident
