Selma Blair made her first public appearance since her arrest at ’90s Con on Friday, telling a fan she was nervous but managing a smile for the Hartford crowd.
The “Cruel Intentions” actress, 54, arrived at the Connecticut pop-culture convention with her comfort dog in tow, an eyewitness said. She entered to scattered applause, with one attendee shouting her name. During her roughly half-hour visit, Blair was overheard telling a supporter, “I’m doing good. I’m a little nervous, but I’m doing good.”
The eyewitness described her as “very upbeat” and “very jovial,” noting that she hugged people throughout her time at the event. Fans could pay $60 for an autograph or selfie with the “Legally Blonde” star, $100 for both, or $85 for a professional photo op, according to the convention website.
That’s 4 Entertainment, which puts on the annual gathering, had confirmed Blair would keep her scheduled appearance despite the legal cloud hanging over her. “Selma Blair will be joining us at ’90s Con as planned,” the company wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday. “See you there!”
The organizer’s reassurance came two days after Blair was taken into custody at JFK Airport following a chaotic Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles. According to 911 dispatch audio, the pilot requested law enforcement and medical personnel meet the plane at the gate, describing her as an “abusive” passenger. He reported that two flight attendants needed treatment, citing “a bloody nose as well as some bite marks” and noting they “need to get a couple of things looked at.”
Separate audio captured Blair screaming as she was removed from the aircraft and restrained. A Delta spokesperson said, in part, “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first.”
Blair’s representative pushed back against the criminal framing, attributing the episode to a “medical emergency” and saying that the “Hellboy” actress “received immediate medical attention” upon landing. The situation escalated during transport to the hospital, where she allegedly kicked a Port Authority police officer in the head multiple times. She was later accused of assaulting a nurse, who pressed charges.
On Monday night, Blair pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and was released on bail. A conviction could carry two to seven years in prison.
Her attorney Shawn Barnes offered a detailed explanation for the outburst. He said the “Sweetest Thing” star had missed medication prescribed for her multiple sclerosis, had fallen and hit her head before the flight, and had been working “extensive” and “exhaustive” hours on set.
“These factors coupled with the altitude resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation. This was not an intentional assault,” Barnes said.
The actress’s personal life also drew attention in the aftermath. Her on-again, off-again boyfriend Andy Kiernan took to Instagram Story on Tuesday to ask for public compassion. “She has a good heart. She hasn’t yet got [sic] the help she needs. Pray that she does,” Kiernan wrote. “She’s a human being like the rest of us.”
Blair is scheduled to appear at ’90s Con for a second day on Saturday in Hartford.
