Update, July 12: Britney Spears was not happy about way the radio covered the Vegas slap incident between her, promising young basketball player Victor Wembanyama, and his security guard. “I heard on the news, this radio station talking smack and talking shit, that’s why I’m addressing it,†Spears said in a video posted on her Instagram. “Saying that I deserved to be smacked, that security was doing their job and protecting their client. I’ve been with the most famous in the world. ’N Sync at one time, girls would literally throw themselves at them. I was knocked down by three 12-year-olds trying to get my picture. My security did not one time touch them or even get near them.â€
Spears went on to add that people were out of pocket with their remarks. “Point being is, I didn’t appreciate the people saying I deserved to be hit, because no woman deserves to be hit,†she finished. “I simply tapped on him on the back and I was backhanded, hit in my face, fell on the floor. My best friend picked me up and held me. I did get an apology at my table 30 minutes later. But I have yet to receive a public apology.â€
Police said no charges will be filed over the alleged slap in Las Vegas on July 7, the Associated Press reported. According to authorities, surveillance footage shows that Spears inadvertently “hit herself in the face†when NBA star Wembanyama’s security guard pushed her hand off the rookie center. Spears previously maintained that she was struck by the security guard after she tried to interact with Wembanyama on July 5, and she filed a police report about the incident. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department closed its investigation after determining that the guard did not willfully or unlawfully use force. The footage “showed Britney going to tap the Spurs player on the shoulder. When she touched the player (redacted) pushes her hand off of the player without looking which causes Britney’s hand to hit herself in the face,†according to the report.
The original story, published July 6, follows:
Britney Spears said she hopes to receive an apology after allegedly being slapped by NBA player Victor Wembanyama’s security at a restaurant in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Per TMZ, Spears has filed a police report for battery over the incident. In a statement posted to Twitter on July 6, the singer described approaching Wembanyama and tapping him on the shoulder because she wanted to congratulate him on his success. She alleged that a security guard then backhanded her “in the face without looking back,†nearly knocking her down and causing her glasses to fall off. Spears said she felt it was important to share the “super embarrassing†story and “urge people in the public eye to set an example and treat all people with respect.â€
For his part, Wembanyama claimed to ESPN that Spears did not simply tap him on the shoulder, but rather “grabbed†him from behind. “I don’t know with how much force, but security pushed her away,†he said. “I didn’t stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy a nice dinner.†The athlete said he didn’t know it was Spears at the time, noting that security had instructed him not to stop walking for anyone in order to prevent a crowd from gathering. According to TMZ, Wembanyama’s security guard later came to Spears’s table to apologize. Even if that’s true, Spears appears to want a more robust response. “I have yet to get a public apology from the player, his security or their organization,†she wrote in her statement. “I hope they will…â€