Since revealing her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018, actress Selma Blair has spoken out about living with symptoms of MS, a disease that affects the central nervous system and disrupts the flow of information between the body and brain. In the May 2021 cover story for Town & Country, Blair has opened up even more about being comfortable in her body and finding joy in makeup.
“I am aware my challenges affect other hopeful or isolated people—and a few of them may be joyful snobs like me,” said the Cruel Intentions actress. “I’m very comfortable in my body, mostly because I am now making a deeper positive connection with it. I am fascinated by this body and this life. I am humbled and pleased to be any inspiration for people.”
This connection to her body has also paved the way for a newfound appreciation for makeup.
“I’ve been made up by some of the most famous makeup artists since I started acting, and I’ve felt so transformed by their makeup that I really did become a different person. It was a superpower to me, and I mean this. Makeup is not trivial to me. If anything moves the needle for me in my life—even before my diagnosis or challenges—it is my gorgeous war paint,” she said. “I don’t mind if my muscles get caught at the intersection of a slow brain signal. I just want those words to come from lips covered in Chanel gloss.”
This past February, Blair revealed that she first experienced MS symptoms while walking the runway for Christian Siriano during the 2018 New York Fashion Week.
“3 years ago. My dearest two pals came to watch the Siriano show. I walked that day. In the show. Noticing for first time, my leg was numb,” the actress wrote on Instagram. “When I first stepped out. I couldn’t feel the ground or how to lift my left leg. My brain was trying to compute. As I walked the runway, stunned.”
After sharing her diagnosis with the public, Blair and Siriano spoke about the possibility of collaborating on an accessible fashion line.
Blair told Vanity Fair in 2019, “I would like to partner with someone like Christian Siriano on a line for everyone—not just people who necessarily need adaptive clothing, but for those who want comfort, too. It can still be chic. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice style. Like, let’s get elastic waistbands to look a little bit better.”
Afterward, the designer told People, “Selma and I talked about it at dinner. What’s happening with her is so unreal, so I was like, ‘Well maybe this is something that is needed in a way,’ so we’ll see. I don’t know yet but maybe.”
As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers' rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset.
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