Actress Selma Blair is candidly reflecting on the near-misses of her early Hollywood career as she plans a powerful return to the big screen. The 53-year-old star, now relapse-free from Multiple Sclerosis for several years, is opening up about the major roles that slipped through her fingers and her renewed passion for acting.
The Roles That Got Away
In a recent interview, Blair looked back on her beginnings in showbusiness, describing it as a time where 'everything was almost'. She revealed that she was a strong contender for the part of Joey Potter in the hit teen drama Dawson's Creek, a role that ultimately made a star of Katie Holmes.
Another significant near-miss was the 2000 psychological thriller Requiem for a Dream. 'It was between me and the lovely and wonderful Jennifer [Connelly], who got it,' Blair recounted. She shared a poignant anecdote about director Darren Aronofsky, who, after she told him she'd 'give my left arm to be in your movie,' promised to consider her for his next project—a promise made some thirty years ago.
Gratitude, Greed, and a New Chapter
Despite these high-profile disappointments, Blair expressed contentment with the iconic supporting roles she did secure, such as in Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde. 'I was happy at the time to get [the parts] I got. I didn’t have a huge amount of ambition, I was happy to be in a supporting role,' she stated. However, her perspective has since shifted. 'And now I am a little greedier,' the actress added with a laugh, signalling a fresh drive for her career.
She fondly recalled being part of films that have become 'such Americana,' but her career trajectory was dramatically altered by her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2018.
Triumph Over Adversity and a Hopeful Future
Blair's health journey has been arduous. She underwent aggressive treatment, including chemotherapy and stem cell therapy, to combat the auto-immune disease. The treatment has been successful; she has been relapse-free for a 'couple of years' and is not accumulating new damage in her brain.
'I’m very, very lucky. Everyone’s experience with MS is different,' she noted, adding that she feels a responsibility to use her platform to help break down the stigma associated with the condition.
Fans have much to look forward to, as the actress is slated to appear in three new projects: the war drama Stay Forte, There There, and the supernatural thriller Silent. 'There are some [roles] coming up that I never saw coming. I am excited about getting back into movies,' she gushed.
Beyond her professional revival, Blair finds immense joy in her 14-year-old son, Arthur Saint Bleick, whom she shares with her ex-boyfriend, Jason Bleick. She joked about their relationship, saying, 'My joy is always gonna be from him. I wish he felt the same way.' She also praised his bravery and the care he shows her.
As she continues to rebuild her stamina and embrace new collaborations, Selma Blair's story is one of resilience, reflection, and a eagerly anticipated second act in Hollywood.
