UPDATE: Selma Blair has made her first public appearance since her arrest, greeting fans at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, on Friday night, five days after an incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight.
The 54-year-old actress, best known for Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde, did photo opportunities at the Connecticut Convention Center on the first day of the three-day event, according to local station WTNH. She spent five to ten minutes with each fan waiting in line, and attendees told the station they were surprised she showed up and that it took courage to honor her commitment. WTNH adds that many fans know about her multiple sclerosis from her book and came out to support her.
A Smiling Return to the Spotlight
E! News reports that Blair wore a white sweater over a black collared shirt and black slacks and posed for photos with fans with a wide smile. An eyewitness told Page Six she appeared upbeat, and she was seen at the convention with her support dog. Organizers, That’s 4 Entertainment, had confirmed earlier in the week that she would attend as planned, Daily Voice reports. She is listed for photo sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the October 16 to 18 event, according to Geo News.
She was originally scheduled to take part in a Q&A panel, but the convention’s panel schedule did not include her name, and organizers said she chose to spend more time at her table meeting fans, PEOPLE reports.
What Happened on the Flight
Blair was arrested Sunday, October 11, after a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to Port Authority officials. Page Six reports that she allegedly punched one flight attendant and bit another during the flight. WTNH reports she allegedly hit a transit police officer as she was removed from the plane and later assaulted a nurse at a hospital. According to Geo News, she has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault, which relate to the allegations involving a Port Authority officer and a nurse. The FBI is also looking into the incident, saying it examines all assaults aboard aircraft.
Blair has not been convicted of anything, and the allegations have not been tested in court.
Blair’s Team: ‘A Medical Emergency’
Representatives for the actress say the incident was caused by a medical emergency. In a statement to PEOPLE on October 12, her rep said Blair experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct, received immediate medical attention after landing and was in stable condition. In an October 16 statement to E! News, the rep said Blair did not try to open the aircraft door, did not intend to harm anyone, and that any suggestion she does not have multiple sclerosis is outrageous, noting her diagnosis has been public since 2018. E! News reports her attorney, Shawn Barnes, said in court that her MS care regimen played a role. Her representative has also said she had never been arrested before, Geo News reports.
Blair’s team has also asked the public to wait for the full picture. “There is much more to this story than has been reported,” read a statement shared with PEOPLE, which urged people to consider all the facts before rushing to judgment.
Watch: Blair Spotted at 90s Con
Fox News has a video report on Blair’s appearance at the convention. More entertainment news coverage is available on Entertainment Tonight’s YouTube channel.
What Comes Next
Geo News reports Blair is due back in court in January. In the meantime she remains scheduled for more fan sessions at 90s Con through Sunday, an event that also features cast members from Full House, Hocus Pocus and The Nanny.
What to Watch Next
- Her January court date in the second-degree assault case.
- Any update from the FBI’s review of the in-flight incident.
- Additional statements from Blair or her representatives.
- Whether she completes her remaining 90s Con appearances this weekend.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Sources: WTNH, E! News, PEOPLE, Geo News, Daily Voice, Fox News, Page Six.