“Legally Blonde” actress Selma Blair is facing serious legal trouble after allegedly biting a flight attendant, punching another, and attempting to open an airplane door midair before reportedly kicking a police officer in the head. The disturbing encounter unfolded aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York on Sunday, October 11, and reportedly continued even after the plane landed.
According to TMZ, the 54-year-old “Legally Blonde” star became aggressive during the flight, allegedly attacking two crew members and attempting to open an aircraft door while thousands of feet in the air. Flight attendants ultimately restrained Blair before the plane arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where law enforcement officers were waiting.
The alleged attacks left one flight attendant with a reported bite injury, while another was allegedly punched. Authorities have not publicly detailed the full extent of the crew members’ injuries.
However, the situation reportedly became even more chaotic after Blair was removed from the aircraft.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the actress repeatedly kicked a Port Authority police officer in the head while being transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.
Once she arrived at the medical facility, Blair allegedly assaulted a nurse, who subsequently pressed charges. The specific injuries reportedly sustained by the officer and nurse have not been publicly disclosed.
Blair’s alleged behavior has now landed her in legal trouble on both the state and federal levels.
According to PEOPLE, the actress is facing two assault charges in New York connected to the alleged attacks on the police officer and hospital nurse. She was scheduled to appear in Queens Criminal Court on Monday, October 12, for arraignment.
Meanwhile, the FBI has reportedly issued Blair a summons involving alleged assaults within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The federal allegations stem from her reported actions aboard the Delta flight.
Blair is expected to appear in federal petty violations court in Brooklyn at a later date, although the exact timing of that appearance has not been confirmed.
Delta Air Lines has also addressed the situation, making it clear that the airline does not tolerate violence aboard its aircraft.
The company said it has a “zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first.”
Despite the serious allegations, Blair’s representatives insist that her actions were connected to an unexpected health crisis rather than a deliberate attempt to harm anyone.
“Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition,” a representative told PEOPLE.
The statement offered some reassurance about Blair’s health but did not explain what type of medical emergency she experienced or what may have triggered the reported behavior.
The latest reports indicate that Blair was released from the hospital and transferred to police custody ahead of her scheduled court appearance. Her representatives have not publicly provided further details about her treatment.
The incident has also renewed attention on the actress’s health history.
Blair revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. She has since spoken publicly about her symptoms, treatment, and efforts to navigate life with the condition.
In 2021, she announced that her multiple sclerosis was in remission. However, there has been no confirmation that her diagnosis played any role in Sunday’s reported incident, and her representatives have not identified the medical emergency involved.
This is also not Blair’s first reported disturbance aboard an aircraft.
In 2016, the actress was removed from a flight arriving in Los Angeles after becoming disruptive. She later apologized and explained that combining alcohol and medication caused her to experience a blackout. She described that experience as a “big mistake.”
However, authorities have not suggested that alcohol or medication contributed to the latest incident.
For now, Blair’s medical condition has reportedly stabilized, but her legal situation remains unresolved. The actress could face federal proceedings in addition to the two state assault charges as investigators and prosecutors address the allegations involving flight attendants, a police officer, and a nurse.
With multiple people reportedly targeted during the ordeal, attention now turns to the upcoming court proceedings and whether Blair’s reported medical emergency will play a role in her defense.
