making a difference! selma blair graced the cover of May 2023 british vogue — and struck a pose with her cane amid her battle with multiple sclerosis.
“I have an emotional and physical attachment to the cane. As soon as I catch hold, I settle in speech and body [it]Blair, 50, told the outlet in an interview published Thursday, April 20. “I know it adds to visibility. So many young people are embracing their sticks more in public. I think representation matters. If I can help you out, that’s great.
cruel intentions The star donned two looks for the photo shoot: a beige cutout gown and matching Valentino heels [on the cover and a black The Row dress with Manolo Blahnik stilettos for a second pic. Blai was one of 19 creatives from the disabled community to be featured in the issue — which was shot by photographer Adama Jalloh.
The Legally Blonde actress told the outlet that her cane has become an “extension” of herself since being diagnosed with MS in August 2018. (She publicly disclosed her condition via social media two months later.)
Blair — who shares 11-year-old son Arthur with ex Jason Bleick — has remained candid about navigating her health challenges in the spotlight, even starring in a documentary about her diagnosis, Introducing, Selma Blair, which premiered in March 2021. She joined season 31 of Dancing With the Stars in September 2022, returning to the ballroom for the finale two months later after exiting the series prematurely due to her ongoing symptoms.
The Michigan native attended the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, walking onto the stage with her cane to present the final award at the September 2022 ceremony. Her appearance was met with a standing ovation from the crowd.
While the Joe, Duncan, Jack and Jane alum is outspoken about her battle now, she struggled to come to terms with her health issues earlier in her career and masked her symptoms by self-medicating.
“Sets were excruciating sometimes with the exhaustion and the tics. I took benzos and Klonopin, [a medication used to prevent seizures and anxiety disorders], I didn’t abuse those things, just alcohol,” she said british vogue in his cover story. “But I was lost and depressed and could hardly smile. Hence my roles, I imagine.
Blair shared that she was “worried” that one “glaring mistake” would “derail” her from her career, whether she was “incoordinated” or “too frail or ill” to do the job. Afterwards Starr was terrified of “being found out” by her superiors.
“Vomiting or body issues were terrible, [and the] Baldness or rashes, ”she recalled to the outlet. “I remember being in a very bad state bad boy and was diagnosed with cat scratch fever and possible leukemia in Prague. I couldn’t tell anyone. i can’t accept prohibition or [access] Treatment in my insurance for fear I would be deemed an insurance risk. I fell apart as soon as I got back to LA”
Now, however, Blair’s strong advocacy is making a real difference in the MS community. Christina Applegatewho revealed in August 2021 that she had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, influenced by her friend.
“Selma has had an incredible impact on the MS community, but more than that, she’s had an impact on how the world views it,” the dead to me The alum, 51, explained to the British magazine. “I was sitting in Selma’s living room, our kids were playing, and I told Selma I had this weird tingling sensation in my legs. She said, ‘You should get tested for MS.’ [Even my doctor doubted it] But there it was. In short, I’m going to have a better quality of life because of him.