Britney Spears has revealed that she was “slapped in the face” by a bodyguard of French basketball player Victor Wembanyama at a Las Vegas hotel on Wednesday. The pop star said she was “shocked and traumatized” by the incident, which occurred when she tried to greet the 19-year-old NBA prospect at a restaurant in the Aria hotel.
Las Vegas police said they acknowledged the call about a battery investigation at the hotel, but no one was arrested. Wembanyama said he was unaware of what happened, but that someone was pushed away by his security.
Table of Contents
Spears’ account of the incident
Britney Spears shared her side of the story on social media, saying that she was a fan of Wembanyama and wanted to congratulate him on his achievements.
She said she drummed him on the shoulder to get his attention, as the restaurant was very noisy.
Britney Spears said she was hurt and dishonour by the attack, which she was not expecting.
Wembanyama’s response
Wembanyama, who is considered one of the top picks for the 2023 NBA draft, was in Las Vegas for his first Summer League game when the incident happened.
Wembanyama told a local news reporter that he could not see what happened there, as he was walking forward and did not stop. He said someone grabbed him from behind – not on his shoulder – and that his security pushed that person away.
Further, Wembanyama said he did not know how much force was used, but that he just wanted to have a nice dinner.
The world of music and film lost a talented star
Britney Spears’ message to the public
Spears said she saw Wembanyama’s version of the incident and decided to share her own. She said she wanted to encourage people who are famous to be more respectful and responsible.
Spears, 41, married her longtime partner Sam Asghari last year. Asghari, 29, defended his wife on social media, writing: “I hope the man who did this learns a lesson and changes his attitude towards women.” In 2021, Spears was freed from a controversial 13-year conservatorship that gave her father, Jamie Spears, extensive control over her life.
The legal arrangement had authority over her finances and career choices as well as major personal matters, such as her visits to her teenage sons and whether she could remarry.