Newly NBA star, Victor Wembanyama, has spoken out following an alleged incident between his bodyguard and superstar Britney Spears.
As we previously reported, Spears was hanging out with her husband Sam Asghari, and two other friends when she spotted the athlete at restaurant Catch. She tried to go over and take a picture with him but that’s when she allegedly got backhanded by his team’s security guard.
Wembanyama addressed the incident, saying (via The Associated Press): “We were in the hall. There was a lot of people, so people were calling me, obviously. There was one person who was calling me but we talked before with security.” He added, “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… I just know the security pushed her away. I don’t know with how much force but security pushed her away.”
“I didn’t know for a couple hours, but when I came back to the hotel… I thought it was no big deal, and then security of the Spurs told me it was Britney Spears. At first, I was like, ‘You’re joking,’ but yeah, it turns out it was Britney Spears. I never saw her face. I just kept walking straight.”
Spears has spoken out as well about the “traumatic experience.” She said in a statement on her Instagram Story,
“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 lobby 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.”
Spears, who caught wind of Wembanyama’s comments, denied grabbing him from behind.
“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.” She continued, “His security then backhanded 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 team didn’t hit any of them.”
“This story is super embarrassing to share with the world but it’s out there already. However, I think it’s 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. 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 amount of love and support I am receiving at the moment. Thank you to the Las Vegas PD and the detectives for their support.”
RELATED: Victor Wembanyama Addresses Britney Spears Slap: ‘She Grabbed Me From Behind, Not On My Shoulder’
Spears has since filed a police report and it names Director of Team Security for the San Antonio Spurs Damian Smith as the person who allegedly backhanded her.
While Smith has yet to release his own statement in his defense, Spears’ husband stood by the singer and even called out the “violence” of the security guard.
“Self-defence can be unavoidable, but the defense of any woman, especially my wife, is not debatable. I consider my reaction subdued considering what occurred, and I hope the man in question learns a lesson and changes his disregard for women. Thank you for the support.”