LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Things have taken a heated turn after NBA player Victor Wembanyama's security guard, Damian Smith, reportedly slapped Britney Spears in Las Vegas. The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 5, at the Catch restaurant inside the Aria Hotel. Sam Asghari, Spears' husband, who was present during the 'violent' conduct took to social media to condemn the act.
Smith allegedly struck Spears when she requested a photo with the NBA player. After the alleged incident, Spears "composed herself" and returned to her table. The security officer then approached her and apologized, stating, "you understand how it is when fans are swarming you," as per TMZ. However, a few fans claimed that they don't believe Spears is 'running up and grabbing people', on the other hand, a few furious fans have slammed Smith asking him to 'respect' the 41-year-old musician.
'Traumatic experiences aren't new for me'
However, Spears opened up about the 'embarrassing' incident as well. Spears took to Instagram stories on Thursday, July 6, and said, "traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my fair share of them." Spears said she "recognized an athlete in my hotel lobby as I was heading to dinner." She later "saw him again" at a different hotel. She said, "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 said she was "aware of the player’s statement where he mentions 'I grabbed him from behind' but I simply tapped him on the shoulder." She further added, "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 (sic)."
She claimed that she is often "swarmed by people all the time" and recalled being surrounded by at least 20 fans the night of the event. She said, "My security team didn’t hit any of them."
Meanwhile, Spears reportedly took action over being backhanded and filed a police report for battery with the LA authorities as per reports. However, it is not being treated as a criminal matter. The police are considering the incident "as serious as a heart attack," reports TMZ. After analyzing camera footage, the outlet alleged that while Smith pushed Britney's hand away, it was apparently her hand, and not Smith's, that struck her face as being reported.
'I do not believe Britney Spears is running up and grabbing people'
As the news made headlines, fans immediately flocked to social media to bash the security guard and his behavior. One user wrote, "I smell BS. He should be embarrassed and tell the truth. That is not how it happened. I do not believe Britney Spears is running up and grabbing people. But to slap her for touching him is a bad look. And if this was Spurs security? They need new security." A second user expressed disappointment towards the action and wrote, "People acting like that action would be okay on any level…. like it doesn't matter if he knows Britney or not, you don't slap a person in the fckn face for nothing. RESPECT BRITNEY SPEARS." A different user wrote, "Victor Wembanyama claims Britney Spears GRABBED him before slap. I believe this NBA wanna be pull his head out of his butt and apologize to Ms. Spears. And what is this with these "Smiths" slapping people?" The last user wrote, "Nobody slaps the legendary, Ms. Britney Spears and gets away with it. Who is that child fool anyway and his punk security? @NBA Do better.:"
