Britney Spears slams Victor Wembanyama’s security for ‘backhanding’ her and says ‘physical violence’ was uncalled for
BRITNEY Spears has slammed an NBA star’s security guard for “backhanding her” when she approached the basketball player in Las Vegas.
The Toxic singer took to social media to share her side of the story on what happened between her and NBA star Victor Wembanyama‘s security guard on Wednesday.
On her Instagram Story, Britney shared a long statement.
She began: “Traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my fair share of them. I was not prepared for what happened to me last night.
“I recognized an athlete in my hotel as I was heading to dinner. I later went to a restaurant at a different hotel and saw him again. 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.
“I am aware of the player’s statement where he mentions ‘I grabbed him from behind’ but I simply tapped him on the shoulder. 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 off my face.
“I get swarmed by people all the time. In fact, that night. I was swarmed by a group of at least 20 fans. My security didn’t hit any of them.”
She went on to explain that what happened was “super embarrassing to share.”
She continued: “I think it’s important to share this story and to urge people in the public eye to set an example and to treat all people with respect.
“Physical violence is happening too much in this world. 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 organization. I hope they will….
“I cherish the tremendous amounts of love and support I am receiving at the moment. Thank you to the Las Vegas PD and the detectives for their support,” she concluded.
WHAT HAPPENED
The confrontation happened at a Las Vegas casino on Wednesday as the pop star visited Catch Restaurant in the ARIA Hotel.
Around 8.30pm, Britney, 41, and her husband Sam Asghari, 29, entered the casino and were immediately swarmed by fans, according to a report by TMZ.
The couple then walked over to Catch, and as they entered the restaurant, the Toxic singer spotted French professional basketball player Victor, 19.
The songwriter is a fan of the athlete, so she walked over and asked if they could take a photo together, according to the outlet.
Britney says she tapped Victor on his back and right shoulder and according to TMZ, the director of team security for the San Antonio Spurs “instantly backhanded her.”
The security’s reaction “caused her to fall to the ground” and “knocked her glasses off.”
After the encounter, Britney “composed herself” and returned to her own table.
Victor’s security reportedly approached the pop star and apologized, saying: “You understand how it is when you’re being swarmed by fans.”
But according to TMZ, Britney’s own security team spent some time with Victor’s security lead, and afterward, they filed a police report.
According to a spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, cops responded to a battery investigation at the location at 11pm that night.
“The incident has been documented on a police report and no arrest or citations have been issued,” the spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.
VICTOR SPEAKS OUT
On Thursday afternoon, Wembanyama addressed the media and explained what he knew of the situation.
He confirmed that “something did happen” while he was walking to a restaurant with his security team but that he “thought it was no big deal.”
Wembanyama said: “We were in a hall, there were a lot of people.
“So, people calling me obviously. And there was one person who was calling [for] me.
“But we talked before with the security, ‘Don’t stop cause it’s gonna make a crowd.’ So I couldn’t stop.
“So that person was calling me ‘Sir. Sir.’ That person grabbed me from behind. I didn’t see what happened because I was walking straight and we [were] told ‘don’t stop.'”
Wembanyama added that to his knowledge “the security pushed her away” but that he did not “know with how much force” as he continued walking and did not turn around to look.
He went on to say that he was not immediately told that the person in question was Spears, adding that he “thought they were joking” when he was informed.
WITNESS ACCOUNT
Brian Grajales, a witness to the wild event, gave insight into what he saw.
Brian spoke to TMZ and said the pop singer had been trying to get an autograph from Wembanyama.
While trying to get his attention, Brian claimed she said “Excuse me, sir” in a British accent and touched Wembanyama’s back.
Law enforcement said the security guard slapped Britney’s hand away when she reached out to Wembanyama, and her own hand struck her in the face.
However, Brian disagreed with the statement and saw the guard slap her and watched as her sunglasses flew off her face.
The witness also claimed that while Victor walked into the restaurant, he heard Britney yell: “This is f**king America!” in an “angry tone.”
SAM SPEAKS OUT
On Thursday, Sam spoke out on social media about the incident.
He originally posted a long message defending his wife on Instagram, but it was soon deleted.
A Twitter account, BreatheHeavy, reposted some of the messages after Sam erased them.
Sam started the message by stating that he doesn’t condone any type of violence, especially when it’s “without justification.”
He went on to say: “Self-defense can be unavoidable, but the defense of any woman, especially my wife, is not debatable.”
Sam said that he hopes the security “learns a lesson and changes his disregard for women.”
A few minutes later, he posted another slide defending the basketball player who employed the “out-of-control security guard.”
The model said that he didn’t want this event to “cast a shadow” on a “great young man on the rise,” referring to Victor.
He goes on to call the security guard a “coward” who wasn’t “properly vetted.”
Sam finished his message by stating: “The changes needed will have to come from the top, and I look forward to those changes.”