Hollywood actress Selma Blair broke down in tears during a dramatic court appearance Monday after being accused of attacking two flight attendants, a police officer and a hospital nurse during a chaotic series of incidents in New York.
The 54-year-old “Cruel Intentions” star appeared before a Queens judge on October 12, facing two felony assault charges stemming from an alleged confrontation with authorities following a Delta Air Lines flight.
Blair pleaded not guilty and was released on bail later that evening. Video from the courthouse showed the actress visibly emotional as she faced the judge.
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The trouble began Sunday night when Blair was traveling from Los Angeles to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
According to authorities, the actress allegedly became disruptive during the flight, punching one flight attendant and biting another. Both crew members reported injuries, with one requiring hospital treatment.
Emergency dispatch audio revealed that responders were asked to meet the aircraft after reports of a bloody nose and bite marks. Blair also reportedly struck her head against part of the airplane during the disturbance.
Port Authority police took Blair into custody shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday and transported her to a hospital for medical evaluation.
But the situation allegedly escalated after landing.
According to a criminal complaint, Blair managed to free one of her legs while being secured to a stretcher and repeatedly kicked Port Authority Police Officer Maria Suarez in the face, neck and chest.
The officer reported swelling around her jaw and significant pain following the alleged attack.
Hours later, at approximately 2 a.m. Monday, Blair allegedly kicked registered nurse Ashley DeLeo in the chest while receiving care at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
DeLeo reported substantial chest pain and was subsequently granted an order of protection.
Blair was arraigned before Judge Indira Kahn on two counts of second-degree assault. Bail was set at $20,000 cash, a $60,000 bond or a $60,000 partially secured bond.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 19, 2027.
The actress could also face separate federal proceedings related to the alleged confrontation aboard the airplane. The FBI is investigating the in-flight incident.
Blair’s representatives insist a serious medical emergency contributed to her behavior.
“Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct,” her representative said, adding that the actress received immediate medical attention and was in stable condition.
Her attorney offered additional details in court, claiming Blair had missed several doses of medication used to manage neurological symptoms associated with her multiple sclerosis.
The defense also pointed to exhaustion, a demanding work schedule, a reported head injury and confusion during the flight as contributing factors. Those explanations remain claims from Blair’s legal team and have not been established as the cause of the alleged assaults.
Blair publicly revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018 and has since become a prominent advocate for people living with the chronic neurological disease.
The actress, also known for “Legally Blonde” and “Hellboy,” previously made headlines in 2016 following another airline incident that she later attributed to mixing alcohol with medication.
Delta Air Lines condemned disruptive behavior following Sunday’s incident, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety remains its priority. The airline confirmed the aircraft arrived ahead of schedule and that its operations were not disrupted.
Blair had recently shared photographs with her service dog, Scout, documenting a busy travel schedule between Los Angeles, New Mexico and New York. Scout was reportedly aboard the aircraft during the incident.
She had also been scheduled to appear at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, beginning October 16, although it was unclear whether her legal troubles would affect those plans.
For now, the actress faces two serious state assault charges and the possibility of additional federal consequences as investigators continue reviewing what happened aboard the flight.