Selma Blair admitted she was feeling “not great” and “sad” the day before an in-flight bust up to led to her being charged with two counts of second-degree assault.
The 54-year-old actress was arrested and hospitalised after allegedly punching a flight attendant and biting another during a Delta Air Lines flight to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday (11.10.26).
Selma, who was also accused of getting physical with a Port Authority police officer and a hospital nurse, appeared in court in New York on Monday (13.10.26), and pleaded not guilty to the charges - after which she was released on $20,000 bail.
Now it has emerged that Selma had hinted at feeling out of sorts during an exchange with a fan on social media the day before the flight in question.
The fan had commented on an Instagram Reel Selma had shared documenting her trip from Los Angeles to New Mexico, writing: “I’m so happy you [sic] feeling great and doing great and making new memories!”
Selma ‘liked’ the comment and then replied: “I’m sad. I’m grateful. I hope. I am not great.”
The fan took it upon themselves to offer Selma some advice, as they wrote in response: “When you’re not feeling great remember to take long slow deep breaths. Close your eyes and say ‘I am strong, I am well, I am a success, I am loved, I AM SELMA BLAIR.”
Hours after the exchange, Selma was arrested, with her defence attorney Shawn Barnes telling the court her out of character behaviour was down to missing the medication she takes for her multiple sclerosis.
Barnes also claimed the actress had been working "extensive hours and exhaustive hours" before the flight, telling the court: "These factors coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation."
According to New York Post column PageSix, Barnes added: "This was not an intentional assault." The incident on the plane was confirmed by a spokesperson for Selma, who said in a statement to People: "Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct.
"Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition."