US actor Selma Blair has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault following an alleged altercation involving flight attendants, a police officer and a nurse after a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York City.
The 54-year-old actor was taken into custody late Sunday after the aircraft landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
Authorities had responded to reports of a physically abusive passenger aboard the flight. Blair, known for her roles in Legally Blonde and Cruel Intentions, was accused of punching one flight attendant and biting another during the incident.
The two crew members reportedly sustained injuries, with one requiring further medical attention.
After the plane landed, Blair was detained and taken to a hospital for evaluation. She was subsequently accused of assaulting a police officer transporting her and a nurse involved in her treatment.
Blair pleads not guilty
Blair appeared in a New York court on Monday, where she faced two counts of second-degree assault relating to the alleged incidents involving the police officer and nurse.
She pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released on bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 19, 2027.
The FBI has also issued a summons relating to alleged assaults aboard the aircraft. The federal proceeding is separate from the two state charges.
The allegations have not been established in court, and Blair’s not-guilty plea means the state charges remain contested.
Representative cites medical emergency
A representative for Blair said the actor 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 said.
Her legal team has also argued that her actions were not intentional, with reports citing a medical episode and other factors as possible contributors to her condition.
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson said the airline had “zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior,” adding that the safety of its passengers and crew remained its priority.
Previous incident on a flight
The latest allegations have drawn attention to a previous incident involving Blair during a flight in 2016.
At the time, the actor was removed from an aircraft on a stretcher following an outburst. She later said she had mixed alcohol with medication, causing her to black out and leading her to say and do things she deeply regretted.
Blair also discussed biting several celebrities, including British model Kate Moss, in her 2022 memoir. She described incidents that occurred in situations where alcohol was involved.
The latest case remains ongoing, with Blair facing state assault charges and a separate federal proceeding relating to the alleged in-flight incident.
