Pop icon Britney Spears has come forward to address an alleged assault by a security guard working for Victor Wembanyama, the number one NBA draft pick of the year.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Spears detailed the incident, explaining that she had encountered Wembanyama in the lobby of her Las Vegas hotel while on her way to dinner. Later that night, she spotted him again at a different hotel’s restaurant and wanted to congratulate him on his achievements.
In her statement, Spears recounted tapping Wembanyama on the shoulder to get his attention in the noisy environment. However, she claims that his security guard struck her in the face without turning around, causing her glasses to fall off and nearly knocking her over, all while a crowd looked on.
Wembanyama, recently drafted by the San Antonio Spurs, addressed the situation during a media session, explaining that someone had grabbed him from behind as he was walking down a hallway. He stated that his security promptly intervened and pushed the person away, as instructed not to engage with anyone and prevent the formation of crowds around him. Wembanyama noted that he was unaware of the person’s identity until several hours later.
Denying the claim that she grabbed Wembanyama from behind, Spears responded to his account in her statement, clarifying that she had simply tapped him on the shoulder.
Expressing her disappointment with the security guard’s actions, Spears highlighted the stark contrast in treatment, emphasizing that despite being surrounded by fans throughout the night, her security team never resorted to violence.
The Las Vegas Police Department confirmed responding to a battery incident in the vicinity around 11 p.m. on Wednesday but provided no further details. No arrests were made, and no citations were issued, according to the department.
While acknowledging the embarrassment of the situation, Spears shared her story to encourage individuals in the public eye to set an example by treating everyone with respect. She denounced physical violence, emphasizing its prevalence, often occurring behind closed doors, and expressed solidarity with all victims.
As of now, Spears revealed that she has not received a public apology from Wembanyama, the security guard, or the San Antonio Spurs.
Source: CBS News
