Things were finally looking up for Selma Blair.
Her multiple sclerosis, in remission for close to five years thanks to intensive treatment that included chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, seemed manageable under the care of neurologists and doctors though it still made her tired. She had dusted off the remaining ash from an explosive social media scandal that erupted in 2024 when she posted an incendiary comment on Instagram and rebuilt a team of representatives that guided her to a handful of new acting jobs.
It made sense then that she would stand tall and take center stage behind a podium at ADL’s State of the Arts: An Evening at the Jewish Museum on Oct. 1 to share how she picked up the pieces and the lessons learned along the way. But first, the 54-year-old, accompanied at the event by an English Labrador service dog named Scout, detailed the devastation of losing her career and the team that supported it, including powerhouse agency CAA, a manager, lawyer, personal and book publicists. She lost brand deals, checks for completed work and even her son’s godmother. The phone not only stopped ringing, she got blocked by confidantes, some of whom had been at her side for 30 years when she first started acting.
“Two years ago I learned what erased feels like,” she said from the podium that night in reference to the collapse caused by a comment widely criticized as anti-Islamic on Instagram under a video posted by immigration reform advocate Abraham Hamra in February 2024. The words that lit the fire: “Deport all these terrorist supporting goons. Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and then they come here and destroyed minds. They know they are liars. Twisted justifications. May they meet their fate.”
She deleted the comment and later apologized for “mistakenly and inadvertently” conflating Muslims with radical Islamists and fundamentalists. It was, she said, “a terrible err in my words” that resulted in hurting countless people. But the damage was done.
Blair said she’d already spent years “clawing” her career back amid the high profile battle with MS, and she wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. She put her head down and did it again over the course of two years. Blair radiated when talking about finding work again, roles that include an upcoming stint on Criminal Minds: Evolution and two independent films, Schmoolie the Deathwatcher and Ethan Almighty. Blair also broke news to the ADL audience that she was shooting an antisemitism documentary titled Hineni, a Hebrew word that translates to “Here I am.”
She credited her “best friend,” an attorney who refused to give up on her and is now part of her “small” yet mighty team of representatives: lawyer Joshua T. Reitzas at Berlandi Nussbaum & Reitzas, manager Oren Segal and Jill Fritzo PR. “I know I’ve had a lucky life,” she said. “And of course we know that life is better now than it was then. I have a team now I’d walk through fire with.”
A blaze was waiting around the corner.
On Sunday, Oct. 11, while traveling from Los Angeles to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Delta flight 938, Blair allegedly assaulted two flight attendants by punching one and biting another. She also reportedly attempted to open the aircraft door at some point during the flight. The New York Port Authority Police Department confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Blair was arrested at the gate and taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Then more chaos. A police officer transporting her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center claims that Blair removed her leg from being strapped down and used it to kick her repeatedly “around the face, neck and chest, causing serious pain and substantial swelling,” per charging documents detailed by Associated Press. Blair also allegedly kicked a nurse in the chest, a blow that caused “substantial pain.”
Less than 24 hours after the alleged assaults, Blair faced Judge Indira Khan in a Queens, New York courtroom where she was accompanied by Reitzas and attorney Shawn Barnes. She pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault. Separate charges from the FBI are expected as the agency is responsible for investigating all aircraft incidents.
It was an emotional and at times tense scene in the courtroom. Blair had tears running down her face, while her team worked to explain what happened. Barnes said that his client missed taking medication that manages her MS and that she had been working “extensive hours and exhaustive hours” leading up to the flight. At some point on the journey, she also hit her head on a bankhead, an injury also reported by the pilot when he called in for backup at the gate. “These factors coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation,” said Barnes.
Reitzas asked the court for leniency by nodding to Blair’s career and advocacy: “Consider her body of work and what she’s done for people. This is someone we should look up to. She is the gold standard.”
Aside from the case — Blair’s next court date is Jan. 19, and she’s reportedly facing two to seven years in jail — there’s an obvious question hanging in the air involving that body of work. Will Blair be able to salvage her career from yet another scandal?
This week’s incident wasn’t Blair’s first on a flight. In June 2016, Blair, who was returning to L.A. from a vacation in Cancun, Mexico, began screaming uncontrollably and causing chaos on the plane. Two nurses helped subdue the actress, who was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Blair later apologized and claimed she had blacked out after mixing prescription medication and alcohol.
“I made a big mistake yesterday. After a lovely trip with my son and his dad, I mixed alcohol with medication, and that caused me to black out and led me to say and do things that I deeply regret,” Blair said in a statement at the time. “I take this very seriously, and I apologize to all of the passengers and crew that I disturbed and am thankful to all of the people who helped me in the aftermath. I am a flawed human being who makes mistakes and am filled with shame over this incident. I am truly very sorry.”
She has a history biting people, too. As revealed in her memoir, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up, Blair copped to sinking her teeth into Sienna Miller, Seth MacFarlane and Kate Moss. She blamed the incidents on social anxiety or awkwardness, writing that her system gets “overwhelmed and instantaneously short-circuits,” adding, “Social interactions have been cumbersome.”
Her professional dealings are much more smooth, and she’s earned a lot of goodwill over the past 30 years that is continuing amid the current challenges. The Hollywood Reporter reached out to filmmakers behind two of her upcoming projects, and both teams are backing Blair. One director praised her professionalism, preparedness and all-around nature.
Blair is set to shoot a supporting role in Schmoolie the Deathwatcher, a film described as a mystical coming-of-age romp directed by Bridget Stokes from a script by Theresa Burkhart Gallagher. The project follows four misfit Jewish teens in Los Angeles against the backdrop of Purim with Blair on board as Schmoolie’s aunt. Production is due to start in late February in Los Angeles with a cast that includes Isaac Krasner as the title character, Luenell, Ariel Martin, David Mazouz and Sania Halifa.
“Selma is an essential part of our cast, and we are confident in her return to work,” Schmoolie producers tell THR in a statement. “Selma’s health and wellness, along with that of all our cast and crew, are the production’s priority.”
Blair wrapped a role in the Tane McClure-directed ensemble Ethan Almighty alongside stars like Kelsey Grammer, Brandon Routh, Sean Patrick Flannery, Trevor Donovan, Kelly Sullivan and others. The indie feature, penned by McClure with Tyke Caravelli, brings to life a true story about a hero dog that miraculously survived severe neglect and abuse. With his new owner, Jeff Callaway, they worked to pass an anti-cruelty piece of legislation in Kentucky known as “Ethan’s Law.”
In the film, Blair has a role as a cancer patient, and McClure said she was a joy to work with. “I feel that it’s important for the world to know what a kind heart she has in person. Beyond being a professional onset, as she was every day, knowing her lines, showing up on time, being kind and courtesy, she is a very nice and caring person,” said McClure, a multi-hyphenate who has worked across many creative areas in Hollywood including as a filmmaker and actress (with roles in the Legally Blonde and Cruel Intentions franchises both of which starred Blair).
McClure added that she’s thinking of Blair and those involved during this challenging time: “My heart hurts for her right now and I want to support her anyway I can, as well as all involved in this very sad incident.”
In September, Paramount+ confirmed that Blair and Wayne Brady had booked guest star roles on Criminal Minds: Evolution for the eighth episode of Season 20. THR reached out to representatives for the show about Blair’s status and had not heard back as of press time.
As for Blair, her publicist had no additional comment on her current status. But Eric Schiffer, a communication specialist with decades in the field, weighed in by telling THR that there’s work to be done off camera.
“The biggest problem for Selma is that there’s a pattern of conduct now that shows she can run amok, whether it’s caused by drinking, being triggered, missing medication or becoming exhausted. The pattern shows that she can get out of control, and that is a problem when you want to work in Hollywood, both with producers and with brands. Some of that conduct, especially when it leads to arrests, can alienate potential partners,” explained Schiffer, chairman of the Los Angeles-based firm Reputation Management Consultants. “It’s hard to stuff back in the reputation box unless she addresses the underlying root and convinces people she has it under control.”
Schiffer added that the explanations can damage trust and credibility so the biggest challenge for Blair now becomes rebuilding that “trust component.” He suggests she focus on that by “working on herself” and coming forward to address once she “has mastery” over it. “That piece is something only she can do. I hope she does. I hope the best for her. I hope she sees this as a sign she needs to spend more time figuring it out.”
In the meantime, she’s going to spend time this weekend by reliving some of her past — the good parts — like roles in Cruel Intentions, Hellboy, Legally Blonde and The Sweetest Thing. Blair is booked for three days of appearances at ’90s Con at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. THR confirmed that Blair is indeed going, and will be featured on a roster of fellow stars that includes Full House vets John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber and Dave Coulier, boy banders Joey Fatone, Zac Hanson, Nick Carter and JC Chasez, Busy Philipps, Heather Locklear, Tara Reid and more.
“Selma Blair will be joining us at ’90s Con as planned,” event organizer Thats4Entertainment shared on Instagram. “See you there!”
Blair is selling selfies and autographs for $60 or a combo of the two for $100.