Jon Kopaloff/WireImageSelma Blair has made her first public appearance since announcing her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
The 46-year-old Cruel Intentions actress, who shared her health news with her fans in October, arrived to the Vanity Fair 2019 Oscars dinner on Sunday evening, walking the red carpet with the help of a cane. Inside the bash, Blair shared a selfie with Shonda Rhimes.
"I have arrived. @shondarhimes @vanityfair Oscar dinner," Blair captioned the photo with Rhimes. "Congratulations to all the amazing talent."
Blair later shared a picture of herself with her pal on the red carpet at the party, writing, "There are moments that define us. This is one of those indelibly watermarked in my heart. This is #troynankin ; my former publicist turned manager , best friend , and fake husband. We joke. I have become a different woman in the last few years, through struggles and the intense pride of motherhood. @vanityfair has always been a champion of mine, like Troy. And yet, I have not fully realized my capabilities as an actress. I wanted to be at this red carpet to remember my first time attending with a not yet famous friend, @jakegyllenhaal . I believed in him and his career and wanted him there. And this dinner always symbolizes so much. And I kept going because it was always a night in hollywood that was full of hollywood dreams with all the talent present in their glory."
"I loved to watch. I was invited this year. I am featured in March issue," Blair continued. "Thank you @radhikajones @kristasmith @samiranasr #juliemiller @cassblackbird . So this was a streak of light. To say I am here. I am still in an exacerbation so there was some nervousness. I don't do anything the way I was once able. I will though. I can regain much. Mommas gotta work. And I will be able to do so much more on my own, But this man. Until that comes ...This man and a host of others light the way and hold the moon @thetexastroya was a hero. Wanting me to shine brightly in a time that can be so challenging. He knew I wanted to be able to stand proudly as the woman I have become and hope to be. To be a part of something so special when my body won't move clearly yet. And then I felt the love from the photographers who have watched me goof around on red carpets since I was in my twenties. I felt the warmth of the bulbs. The strength of my gown. His attentive touch. And still I hoped my brain could send signals for the remainder of my time there. And I sobbed. And I appreciated every single second."
"Every surprising tear, he was there. As he has always been. And that is the reason I could," Blair went on to write. "Thank you Troy. We got me just where I wanted to be. For a night. And I later pushed my way into a family photo with @dianaross (omg) . So much to post but not before this one. True love. Right here. Forever."
It was just four months ago that Blair took to social media to talk to her followers about her diagnosis, sharing her story with the world.
"I have #multiplesclerosis . I am in an exacerbation. By the grace of the lord, and will power and the understanding producers at Netflix, I have a job. A wonderful job," Blair wrote in part. "I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it . And I laugh and I don't know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best."
"I am in the thick of it but I hope to give some hope to others. And even to myself," Blair continued. "You can't get help unless you ask. It can be overwhelming in the beginning. You want to sleep. You always want to sleep. So I don't have answers. You see, I want to sleep. But I am a forthcoming person and I want my life to be full somehow. I want to play with my son again. I want to walk down the street and ride my horse. I have MS and I am ok. But if you see me , dropping crap all over the street, feel free to help me pick it up. It takes a whole day for me alone. Thank you and may we all know good days amongst the challenges."