Britney has addressed the incident with Victor Wembanyama’s security guard (Picture: AP)
Britney Spears has spoken out about the ‘traumatic experience’ of being hit by a security guard.
The musician, 41, was out with her husband Sam Asghari in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening when she was reportedly hit by a bodyguard,
According to TMZ, Britney was attempting to approach NBA star Victor Wembanyama and tapped him on the shoulder before she was ‘back-handed’ by a member of his security detail.
Britney’s husband Sam has since issued a statement against the ‘violent behaviour,’ and Britney herself has now shared her story.
She said it was ’embarrassing’ to have to share the incident but it was ‘out there already.’
Addressing her millions of followers with a statement on her Instagram story, Britney began by saying ‘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.’
The star shared her story on Instagram after both Sam and Victor had commented on the incident (Picture: Instagram)
She said she ‘recognized an athlete in my hotel lobby as I was heading to dinner.’ and later ‘saw him again’ at a different hotel.
‘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.’
She said she was ‘aware of the player’s statement where he mentions “I grabbed him from behind” but I simply tapped him on the shoulder.’
Victor had earlier in the evening addressed the incident at a press conference where he claimed he did not know it was Britney, and had only felt someone ‘grab me from behind,’ not tap his shoulder, and only learned it was her hours later.
Britney went on: ‘His security then backhanded me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face (sic).’
Britney said she herself had been swarmed by fans on the same day and her ‘security didn’t hit anyone’ (Picture: Sony Pictures/Rex/Shutterstock)
She noted that she herself gets ‘swarmed by people all the time,’ and said that the same night of the incident she had been ‘swarmed by a group of at least 20 fans. My security team didn’t hit any of them.’
Britney called the story ‘super embarrassing’ but said it was ‘important to share… and to urge people in teh public eye to set an example and treat all people with respect.’
‘Physical violence is happening too much in this world,’ she went on. ‘Often behind closed doors.
I stand with all the victims and my heart goes out to all of you!!! I have yet to get a public apology from the player, his security or their organization. I hope they will.’
She finished by thanking fans for the ‘tremendous amount of love and support,’ as well as thanking the Las Vegas Police Department.
Athlete Victor had said a person had ‘grabbed me from behind, not on my shoulder’ and while he ‘didn’t see what happened’ he knows ‘security pushed her away.’
NBA star Victor said he had been grabbed from behind and didn’t know what had happened as he kept walking (Picture: Getty)
‘I don’t know with how much force, I didn’t stop to look, I kept walking.’
Sam, meanwhile, slammed what he called ‘the violent behavior of an out-of-control security guard’ but said it ‘should not cast a shadow on the accomplishment of a great young man on the rise [Victor].’
‘The blame should fall on the coward who did this, the people who hired him without proper vetting, and a systemic culture of disregard for women within sports and entertainment.’
A spokesperson for the LVMPD told Metro.co.uk: ‘On July 5, 2023, at approximately 11 p.m., LVMPD officers responded to a property in the 3700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard regarding a battery investigation.
The incident has been documented on a police report and no arrest or citations have been issued. No further details will be provided at this time.’
This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
For more stories like this, check our entertainment page.
Follow Metro.co.uk Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.
Britney has addressed the incident.