Britney Spears has broken her silence on what she called a “traumatic experience” involving NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s security team in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.
The pop singer addressed the incident in a lengthy social media post on Thursday, describing the altercation as both frightening and embarrassing.
“Traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my fair share of them,” she wrote. “I was not prepared for what happened to me last night.”
Britney said she approached San Antonio Spurs first-round draft pick Victor to “congratulate him on his success” after spotting him at two different Vegas hotels on the same evening.
She wrote that she had “tapped him on the shoulder” to get his attention amid the noise.
“His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses [to fall] off my face,” Britney wrote.
Hours before Britney released her statement, Victor acknowledged during a Thursday press conference that his security had responded to a person who “grabbed him from behind”. He said he had only found out that Spears was involved later that evening.
In her own account, Britney said there was no grabbing involved. The Grammy winner added that she had also been “swarmed by a group of at least 20 fans” that night, but said that “my security team didn’t hit any of them”.
Though Britney called the incident “super embarrassing,” she said it was important to “share this story and to urge people in the public eye to set an example and treat all people with respect”.
“Physical violence is happening too much in this world,” the star continued. “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 organisation. I hope they will.”
Britney then thanked fans for “the tremendous amounts of love and support” and recognised the Las Vegas Police Department for its support.
Earlier on Thursday, Las Vegas authorities confirmed an incident had occurred around 8:30pm on Wednesday outside of the restaurant Catch at the Aria Hotel.
The city’s Department of Public Information told Rolling Stone that the dispute was “documented on a police report, and no arrest or citations have been issued”.