Selma Blair Attends Oscars Afterparty with a Cane: Why Her Latest Look is a Major MS Milestone for Disability Visibility

Selma Blair turned heads with an elegant entrance at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, 15 March. She walked down the red carpet carrying a cane while posing for the camera at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

The 53-year-old actress exuded sophistication in a monochromatic ensemble defined by its architectural sheer bodice with black stripes and dramatic, asymmetrical neckline. The gown's voluminous skirt was balanced by a refined, sleek bun and a shimmering diamond choker with matching bracelets and an earring set. The actress completed her look with a black cane with a curved silver handle.

Blair has been very vocal about her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that affects her mobility and is the reason why she carries a cane on the red carpet. Here's why her latest look is a major milestone for disability visibility.

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

As Blair proudly walked into the Vanity Fair Oscar party with her cane, the moment sparked fresh conversation about multiple sclerosis (MS), the condition the Hellboy actress has been living with since her 2018 diagnosis.

MS is a central nervous system condition that damages nerves, disrupting electrical signals in the brain. According to Mayo Clinic, MS can cause numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes, memory loss, and other symptoms. There is no known cure for MS, and treatment usually involves managing symptoms.

Selma Blair's MS Diagnosis

In October 2018, Blair reflected on her life with MS. 'Going out, being sociable holds a heavy price,' she said. 'My brain is on fire. I am freezing. We feel alone with it even though the loving support has been a godsend and appreciated'.

'People write me asking how I do it. I do my best,' she continued. 'But I choke with the pain of what I have lost and what I dare hope for and how challenging it is to walk around'.

'My smiles are genuine. This is ok. Life is an adventure with many shards of awakening,' Blair added. 'I can't sleep at night but daytime I have trouble staying awake'.

In a February 2025 interview, Blair told TODAY that she had been experiencing symptoms for some time, but it took years before she received the diagnosis.

She said that she longed for answers about the changes in her body, admitting that she felt 'broken inside' and worried that she was 'making it up' before the doctors confirmed that she had MS.

The Cruel Intentions actress entered remission in 2021, later confirming that no new lesions were forming on her brain.

Following an intensive course of chemotherapy and stem cell treatment, she has remained relapse-free for a 'couple of years', noting that she feels 'very, very lucky' to have stabilised her condition.

Red Carpet Look a Major Milestone for Disability Visibility

Blair's appearance at the Oscars afterparty, where she carried her cane, underscored the realities of living with MS. For many with MS, mobility challenges are part of daily life, and Blair's decision to come with her cane has been hailed as a milestone moment for disability visibility.

Blair has long been a global advocate for disability visibility and adaptive fashion. In February 2026, she was appointed as the Global Ambassador and National Chair for Brain Health Advancement by the American Brain Foundation.

Speaking in November 2025 at the Elle Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles, Blair said, 'Everyone's experience with MS is different. I think I do have a certain place to speak publicly. My big mouth likes to see what I can do about stigma'.

Blair's latest outing reinforces a powerful message: mobility aids are not symbols of defeat, but tools that enable independence and self-expression. Her red carpet look reframes the conversation, presenting the cane as a stylish extension of a life lived fully, resonating not only with those navigating MS but with anyone who relies on mobility support.