Selma Blair apologises for October 11 incident in first video statement
Synopsis
Nearly three weeks after an incident at JFK Airport that left a flight attendant reportedly injured and drew two second-degree assault charges, Selma Blair posted a video apology on Instagram — careful, legally constrained, but personal. She says she never intended to hurt anyone; the courts will decide what happened next.
Key Takeaways
Selma Blair posted a video apology on Instagram on Friday, 31 October , her first statement since the October 11 JFK Airport incident.
Blair reportedly injured a flight attendant and kicked a nurse after being removed from a plane at John F.
Kennedy International Airport .
She faces two state charges of second-degree assault involving a nurse and a Port Authority officer .
Blair was released from custody on $20,000 bail the day after the incident.
Her lawyers advised her not to discuss the specifics of the incident; she apologised to those she 'disappointed, hurt, frightened, alarmed.' Blair, known for Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde , was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2018 and has been a public advocate for the condition.
Actress Selma Blair broke her silence on Friday, 31 October, issuing a video apology nearly three weeks after an October 11 incident at John F. Kennedy International Airport in which she reportedly injured a flight attendant and kicked a nurse following her removal from a plane. The statement, posted on Instagram, marked her first public remarks since the episode.
What Blair Said
In the video message, Blair acknowledged the extended silence and addressed those affected by the incident. Citing an ongoing legal matter, she said her lawyers had advised her not to discuss the specifics of that day.
'Hi, it's me. And I know I've been quiet for a couple weeks since October 11th. 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,' Blair said in the video.
She went on to offer a personal apology: 'What I can tell you, though, is very simple. And the truest thing I know about myself in 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.'
Blair also expressed gratitude toward supporters, saying their messages had 'meant everything' to her and her son, Scout. She added that she was prioritising her health and her child in the days ahead.
The Legal Situation
According to reports, Blair faces two state charges of second-degree assault in connection with the alleged attacks on a nurse and a Port Authority officer at the airport. She was released from custody the following day on a $20,000 bail. The legal proceedings are reportedly ongoing, and Blair's legal team has restricted her public comments accordingly.
Who Is Selma Blair
Blair rose to mainstream recognition through roles in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, The Sweetest Thing, and the Hellboy franchise. Her career trajectory shifted significantly in 2018 when she publicly disclosed a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), after which she became a prominent advocate for those living with the condition.
In 2021, she appeared in Introducing Selma Blair, a documentary chronicling her life following the MS diagnosis. Her autobiography, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up, was published by Knopf in 2022. Blair has described her son Scout as central to her life, a sentiment she reiterated in Friday's video.
What Comes Next
With an active legal matter underway, Blair is unlikely to speak further about the October 11 incident until proceedings conclude. Her statement signals a controlled re-emergence into public view, focused on personal accountability without legally compromising her defence. How courts and public opinion respond to her apology will shape the next chapter of a story that has drawn significant attention.
Point of View
Legally vague enough not to damage her defence. The apology notably avoids any admission of the specific acts alleged, which is standard legal counsel. What it does reveal is the pressure of managing a public persona built on vulnerability and honesty, particularly for someone whose MS advocacy depends on trust. The second-degree assault charges are not minor; a conviction would carry real consequences. The court of public sympathy may be forgiving, but the legal process operates on a different standard entirely.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Selma Blair on October 11?
Selma Blair was reportedly removed from a plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport on October 11, after which she allegedly injured a flight attendant and kicked a nurse. She was subsequently arrested and released the following day on $20,000 bail.
What charges does Selma Blair face?
Blair reportedly faces two state charges of second-degree assault in connection with alleged attacks on a nurse and a Port Authority officer at JFK Airport. The legal matter is described as ongoing.
What did Selma Blair say in her apology?
Blair said she had never intended to hurt or frighten anyone and apologised to those she 'disappointed, hurt, frightened, alarmed.' She noted that an ongoing legal matter prevented her from discussing the specifics of October 11, and said she was focusing on her health and her son, Scout.
Where did Selma Blair post her apology?
Blair shared her apology as a video message on Instagram on Friday, 31 October, nearly three weeks after the October 11 incident at JFK Airport.
