American pop sensation Britney Spears revealed during her recent visit to Las Vegas on Wednesday that she was “back handed in the face” by a security guard who was protecting French basketball star, Victor Wembanyama.
The Las Vegas police department verified they had responded to a call at the Aria hotel in relation to a battery investigation, but there have been no arrests thus far.
In a social media post, Spears described the occurrence as a “traumatic experience” that took her by surprise.
Wembanyama claimed he “didn’t see what happened”, adding that he noticed someone being shoved.
The 19-year-old top draft pick in the NBA was in Las Vegas preparing for his inaugural Summer League match when he stopped by a restaurant at the Aria, located on South Las Vegas Boulevard. This is where Spears said she noticed him.
“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 elaborated.
According to Spears, a security guard assigned to protect Wembanyama then reportedly hit her in the face with the back of his hand, causing her glasses to tumble and nearly knocking her over.
Spears mentioned that she had observed Wembanyama’s narrative about the incident, which encouraged her to provide her own perspective.
Wembanyama explained to a local news reporter: “I couldn’t stop. That person was calling me, ‘Sir, sir,’ and that person grabbed me from behind.
“I didn’t see what happened because I was walking straight and didn’t stop. That person grabbed me from behind – not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind.
“I just know the security pushed her away. I don’t know with how much force but security pushed her away. I didn’t stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy a nice dinner.”
Spears expressed her desire “to urge people in the public eye to set an example” and showed gratitude towards the Las Vegas Police Department for their assistance.
In the previous year, Spears, aged 41, tied the knot with her longtime partner Sam Asghari.
Asghari, aged 29, defended her on social media, stating: “I hope the man in question learns a lesson and changes his disregard for women.”
In 2021, Spears was freed from a disputed 13-year conservatorship that granted her father, Jamie Spears, extensive authority over her life.
This legal guardianship dictated her financial and career decisions as well as crucial personal matters, such as visiting her adolescent sons and her ability to remarry.
