NEW YORK (AP) - Actor Selma Blair recently faced allegations of assault during a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York. According to her representatives, Blair did not intend to harm anyone and was experiencing a medical emergency at the time of the incident, which led to her first arrest. The detailed statement released by her team aimed to counter what they described as inaccurate portrayals of Blair, who is 54 years old.

The statement emphasized that there was no attempt by Blair to open the aircraft door and reiterated that she did not plan to inflict harm. Blair has been living with multiple sclerosis since 2018, and her representatives found it “outrageous” to suggest otherwise. They expressed that despite the challenges posed by her condition, Blair has made remarkable physical progress over the years. However, she continues to endure daily pain and experiences episodes related to pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition stemming from her MS, which can complicate her behavior in stressful situations.

Furthermore, the statement mentioned that Blair travels with a service dog, an essential companion that the authorities took from her during the incident. Her team highlighted her dedication as an advocate for disability rights and her role in supporting the MS community. In the reported incident, Blair allegedly injured two flight attendants onboard, and later, reportedly kicked a police officer and a nurse while being taken to the hospital.

Blair has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault relating to the police officer and nurse involved, resulting in a protective order issued by a judge in their favor. Following the incident, she was released on bail, with her next court appearance scheduled for January. In addition to state charges, the FBI is also pursuing a charge of assault against Blair in connection with her actions aboard the aircraft, according to an official familiar with the case.

Details surrounding the incident remain sparse. Communications from air traffic control indicated that the Delta pilot requested medics to be on standby for treatment of bite marks and a bloody nose, while stating that ambulances were not needed. Blair, originally from Michigan, began her acting career in New York at a young age, with notable film appearances in “Cruel Intentions” (1999), “Legally Blonde” (2001), and “Hellboy” (2004).

This is not the first time Blair has faced scrutiny during a flight. In 2016, she apologized for statements made during another flight after mixing alcohol with medication, leading to a blackout. The recent statement from her representatives criticized the media's portrayal of the events, noting that it seems heavily based on police reports and past headlines, rather than an accurate reflection of who she is as a person.

The statement concluded with a call for fair reporting and acknowledged the few journalists who have portrayed Blair as a human being rather than merely a headline. In the absence of their narrative, misinformation has proliferated, leading to misconceptions about the incident.