Britney Spears' Allegations of Physical Abuse by a Security Officer
Britney Spears is speaking out after she was reportedly abused by a security officer for Victor Wembanyama - this year's number one NBA draft selection.
In a message posted on Twitter on Thursday, the pop artist claimed she first encountered Wembanyama in her Las Vegas hotel lobby as she was heading to dinner. Later that night, she stated she spotted him at a restaurant in a separate hotel.
Spears said she recognized Wembanyama and wanted to congratulate him on his successes.
"It was really loud, so I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention," the singer wrote. "His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd."
She stated the hit nearly knocked her down and knocked her glasses off.
Wembanyama, who was picked by the San Antonio Spurs last month, told reporters Thursday that while he was going down a corridor, someone who had been attempting to catch his attention "grabbed me from behind." He claimed security then "pushed her away," but he added he didn't witness what occurred since he had been warned not to stop so that a mob couldn't build around him.
The 19-year-old stated he didn't know "how much force" was used and that he just found out the individual was Spears hours afterwards.
Spears addressed Wembanyama's claims in her statement, denying that she "grabbed him from behind."
"I simply tapped him on the shoulder," she wrote.
Spears blasted the security officers' approach, pointing out that she is routinely swamped by fans, including that same night.
"I was swarmed by a group of at least 20 fans," she stated. "My security team didn't hit any of them."
In a statement to CBS News, the Las Vegas Police Department said it responded to a battery incident in the vicinity at 11 p.m. Wednesday night, but could not give additional details. The agency stated no arrests were made and no tickets were issued.
Spears claimed the tale was "super embarrassing," but that she revealed it to "urge people in the public eye to set and example and treat all people with respect."
"Physical violence is occurring too often in our world. Often behind closed doors," she wrote. "I stand with all the victims and my heart goes out to all of you!!!"
The "Circus" singer stated she had not gotten a public apology from Wembanyama, the security man or the Spurs.
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