After footage emerged of an alleged assault involving Britney Spears and a security guard, the American singer and songwriter has responded to the incident.
Born with her legal name, Britney Jean Spears, 41, was accompanied by her husband, Sam Asghari, 29, during an outing in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening, July 5. The incident reportedly occurred when she attempted to tap NBA star Victor Wembanyama on the shoulder, resulting in a physical altercation with the security personnel.
A witness provided a statement to TMZ, stating that Spears approached the young NBA star from behind and attempted to get his attention, leading to a physical confrontation with security.
The incident is being treated as a criminal investigation, taken seriously by the authorities. Although the case is expected to be referred to the District Attorney, it does not necessarily mean that criminal charges will be filed, as reported by TMZ.
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Britney Spears has addressed the incident, claiming that she tapped the basketball player on the shoulder to congratulate him on his success before being struck in the face by a member of his security detail.
She described the incident as embarrassing and traumatic, while Sam Asghari issued a statement denouncing the violent behavior.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) investigated a report of battery, but all charges were dropped after reviewing CCTV footage, which revealed that Britney had accidentally hit herself in the face. TMZ obtained a recording of the incident, showing Britney tapping 19-year-old Victor on the shoulder and later shouting, “This is America. F*** you all.”
Britney has since addressed the CCTV footage on her Instagram, expressing that throughout her extensive career in showbiz, where she has been associated with some of the world’s most famous individuals, including NSYNC, she had never witnessed a security guard hitting a fan.
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She clarified that she did not share the incident to play the victim but rather to convey her genuine reaction. She acknowledged her inappropriate response but also emphasized her feeling of being treated unequally in the country.
She appreciated the support from those who gathered around her and stated her continued admiration for the NBA player, noting that the security guard’s actions were not his fault.
Sam, who met Britney in 2016 on the set of her music video, previously criticized the guard for being out of control and exhibiting violent behavior. However, he emphasized that the guard’s alleged actions should not overshadow the accomplishments of the rising young man, Victor.