Britney Spears breaks silence after security 'back handed her in the face'
Topics: Britney Spears, Celebrity, Sport, US News, Instagram, Social media
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/ @britneyspears
Topics: Britney Spears, Celebrity, Sport, US News, Instagram, Social media
Britney Spears has taken to social media to give her side of the story after an altercation with NBA star Victor Wembanyama and his security.
On Wednesday, 5 July, an incident occurred between the 'Oops!... I Did It Again' singer and 19-year-old San Antonio Spurs star outside of a restaurant in Las Vegas.
Wembanyama told reporters he was 'grabbed from behind' by the singer, but Spears has since released her own statement denying his claims and accusing Wembanyama's security of hitting her.
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In an interview with reporters, the NBA star says he heard a person 'calling him' but had spoken with security before and was told to 'not stop' in case of 'a crowd' forming.
The 19-year-old continues: "That person grabbed me from behind. I didn't see what happened because I was walking straight [...] but that person grabbed me from behind, not by my shoulders, she grabbed me from behind.
"So I just know that the security pushed her away. I don't know with how much force though. But security pushed her away. I didn't stop to look, I kept walking and enjoyed a nice dinner."
The NBA star didn't know it was Spears until he got back to the hotel. "I never saw her face, I just kept walking straight," he adds.
Moments ago,#Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama addresses the incident last night with Britney Spears in Las Vegas: pic.twitter.com/T33s7R4yUl
— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) July 6, 2023
Spears has since taken to social media to respond to Wembanyama's account, denying she 'grabbed him from behind,' claiming she 'tapped him on the shoulder' instead.
The 'Toxic' singer's statement - posted to Instagram and Twitter - reads: "Traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my fair share of them. I was not prepared for what happened to me last night.
"I recognised an athlete in my hotel lobby as I was heading to dinner. I later went to a restaurant at a different hotel and saw him again. I decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success. It was really loud, so I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention."
Spears explained she's 'aware' of Wembanyama's statement but stands by her version of events that she 'simply tapped him on the shoulder'.
The singer then goes on to accuse the NBA star's security of 'back hand[ing]' her 'in the face without looking back' and 'in front of a crowd'. "Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face," she adds.
Spears goes on to note: "I get swarmed by people all the time. In fact that night. I was swarmed by a group of at least 20 fans. My security team didn't hit any of them."
The singer adds while the story is 'super embarrassing to share,' she thinks it's 'important' to 'urge people in the public eye to set an example and treat all people respect' and she hopes for 'a public apology' from the player and his security.
In a statement to Sky News, Las Vegas Police reported: "On July 5, 2023, at approximately 11pm, LVMPD officers responded... regarding a battery investigation.
"The incident has been documented on a police report and no arrest or citations have been issued."