Britney addresses public ‘physical violence

Britney Spears was reportedly smacked in the face by a member of a US basketball team’s security detail on Wednesday night.

Teh security guard of San Antonio Spurs’ player Victor Wembanyama’s allegedly assaulted the pop star, 41, at celebrity hotspot Catch inside the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas around 8:30pm local time, according to entertainment website TMZ.

Spears has now released a lengthy statement about the incident, writing that while “traumatic experiences are not new to me”... “I was not prepared for what happened to me last night.”
 

pic.twitter.com/CuZMJUteGf

— Britney Spears 🌹🚀 (@britneyspears) July 6, 2023

An insider told the outlet that Spears was a “fan” of the pro baller, and so she went up to him to ask for a photo together, reported the New York Post’s Page Six section. 

Wembanyama, a 19-year-old from France, was just signed to the Spurs during the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22.

Britney Spears was allegedly assaulted by a security guard.

He was photographed signing autographs for other fans the same night as the incident.

Spears “tapped him on his back, right shoulder,” according to the report, and the security guard then allegedly “backhanded her”.

She reportedly fell to the floor and her glasses were knocked off.

The Toxic singer returned to her table, where she composed herself, and the security later apologised, reported TMZ.

“You understand how it is when you’re being swarmed by fans,” he allegedly told the music superstar, which she reportedly accepted.

Spears was seen in paparazzi video obtained by TMZ walking speedily out of the restaurant later in the evening with a hoodie over her and sunglasses on to conceal her identity.

She appeared to be accompanied by her husband, Sam Asghari, and her manager, Cade Hudson.

Several other parties involved in the incident have now spoken out. Webanyama has publicly addressed the media:

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

And Spears’ husband Sam Asghari released this statement via Instagram:
 

The Grammy winner filed a police report for battery, Page Six can confirm.

The Las Vegas Police Department stated it responded to an incident on Las Vegas Boulevard on Wednesday night at 11pm regarding a battery investigation.​​​​​​​

The public information officer also noted: “No arrest or citations have been issued”.

Police sources told TMZ Thursday the incident is not being handled as a criminal matter as the security guard — whom they identified as Spurs team security director Damian Smith — did not intentionally “hurt” Spears but was rather trying to “defend” Wembanyama”.

This story appeared in the New York Post and is reproduced with permission.