New video of the incident shows what really happened between Britney Spears and Victor Wembanyama's security.
update: July 7 2023 2:45PM PST
New video obtained by TMZ shows the moment the alleged slap went down.
The clip features Britney approach Victor right outside Catch restaurant in Las Vegas on Wednesday night. The pop star can be heard yelling "Sir, Sir!" in a British accent.
She then touches him on the shoulder and at that moment an arm from one of Victor's bodyguards comes into the frame -- it's unclear from this angle if his hand struck her face or if the force of his interception made Britney hit herself in the face. Per TMZ, it all looked to be a big accident.
In the immediate aftermath Britney yells, still using her British accent, "That's America for you. F--- you all!"
The Metro PD closed their investigation. No charges will be filed against Victor's security.
original story below: July 6 2023 10PM PST
Just in time for the weekend, Britney Spears fans are lamenting how exhausted they are trying to keep up with the latest drama and stan for their favorite amid now mixed reports of what happened that led to her allegedly getting slapped.
After nearly a full day of silence following the now infamous incident Friday night involving Spears and San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama, the "...Baby One More Time" singer broke her silence with an Instagram post detailing her side of the story, and lambasting Wembanyama's response to the media.
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View StoryAs Spears explained it, she recognized the 19-year-old NBA newcomer at a restaurant and attempted to make contact with him to "congratulate him on his success." She then refutes Wembanyama's claim that he was "grabbed" from behind, insisting she "simply tapped him on the shoulder."
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"His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd," Spears said of the "traumatic" incident, "nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses [to fall] off my face."
She went on to note that she gets "swarmed by people all the time," including that very night. She also travels with security, as Wembanyama was. "My security team didn't hit any of them," she said.
She intimated that she was only talking about the "super embarrassing" incident because it was already in the news cycle, and because she wants 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," Spears continued. "I stand with all the victims and my heart goes out to all of you!!!"
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View StoryAt this point, she called for a public apology from Wembanyama, saying she had yet to receive one from him, his security team or the San Antonio Spurs. "I hope they will..." she wrote.
The pop star also took issue with Wembanyama laughing and smiling as he did throughout his press response to the Wednesday night incident. "I also don't appreciate nor do I think this is a laughing matter," she emphasized. "Watching the player smile and laugh was cruel and demoralizing with the situation that took place. I am 5'3" and he's 7'4"..."
She then took a moment to thank the Las Vegas PD for their support. According to TMZ, authorities spoke with Spears on Thursday morning as part of a criminal investigation into the matter, with the outlet reporting Metro PD are taking the incident "as serious as a heart attack."
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View StoryThe outlet also spoke with a person who claimed to be an eye witness to the altercation at the restaurant. According to the man, he saw it all went down. He watched Spears approach Wembanyama's entourage. He said he could hear her say (in a British accent), "Excuse me, sir," as she touched his back. And it was at that point, the man says Wembanyama's head of security backhanded her in the face.
A law enforcement source told TMZ that video footage shows that the security guard swung back and hit Spears' hand and it was her own hand that hit her face, knocking off her glasses, but their eyewitness disputes this version of events. He also said that Spears shouted after the group, "This is f---ing America!!!" -- still in a British accident.
Just as the eyewitness disputes what the police said happened, Spears was disagreeing with Wembanyama's recollection of the incident, as well. The basketball prospect spoke on KENS 5 on Thursday afternoon where he claimed an unnamed woman "grabbed me from behind."
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View StoryVictor Wembanyama addresses the incident last night with Britney Spears pic.twitter.com/QQsIndDZSw
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) July 7, 2023 @DailyLoud
Wembanyama acknowledged that he knew his security had knocked back a woman, but he "didn't know with how much force" and he nevertheless "didn't stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy the nice dinner."
Wembanyama laughed about the incident more than once while speaking with the media and never identified the woman involved. It wasn't until a follow-up asked him if the woman he mentioned was Spears that he admitted it was, saying he didn't know until several hours later.
Spears' husband, Sam Asghari, was with her during the incident, and released a statement of his own to his Instagram Stories, as captured by TMZ. He also shared his wife's later statement on the same platform.
His statement came in two different slides, though only the first one remains on his page. In it, he said that he's "opposed to violence in any form, especially without justification," excepting for self-defense or the defense of others.
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View StoryThat said, he added that "the defense of any woman, expecially my wife, is not debatable. I consider my reaction subdued considering what occurred, and I hope the man in question learns a lesson and change his disregard for women. Thank you for the support."
Asghari was a little kinder to Wembanyama in the statement slide that is no longer on his IG Stories, but was screen captured by TMZ. In it, he said that "the violent behavior of an out-of-control security guard should not cast a shadow on the accomplishment of a great young man on the rise."
Instead, he wanted to put the blame firmly on "the coward who did this," saying that the man's actions represented "a systemic culture of disregard for women within sports and entertainment."
"I can't imagine a scenario where and unarmed female fan showing any kind of excitement or appreciation for a celebrity would cause her to be physically assaulted," Asghari continued, "much less being hit in the face for tapping someone on the shoulder."
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View Story"The changes needed will have to come from the top," he wrote, "and I look forward to those changes." It is not clear why this second and newer slide is no longer on Asghari's IG Stories.
According to TMZ, the security personnel who allegedly backhanded Spears came to her table at the restaurant on Wednesday night and apologized personally, which she reportedly accepted. "You understand how it is when you're being swarmed by fans," he purportedly said.
Despite his apology, Spears' team reportedly spoke with the man and proceeded to file a police report alleging battery. The case will "likely" be referred to the district attorney's office, per the outlet. The man's name, as listed on the police report, is Damian Smith, Director of Team Security for the San Antonio Spurs.
As the story continued to twist and turn throughout the day on Thursday, Britney Spears' name was trending high on Twitter, alongside "Respect Britney Spears." While it wasn't unanimous support for the "Scream & Shout" singer, the platform's users definitely have her back.
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View StoryRESPECT BRITNEY SPEARS pic.twitter.com/iP31Qf1QZZ
— Você Sabianey? (@VoceSabianey) July 7, 2023 @VoceSabianey
Whoever smacked Britney Spears pic.twitter.com/wkEDWDqZvK
— 💫 (@heyjaeee) July 6, 2023 @heyjaeee
Just look at Victor Wembanyama “addressing the media” on his part in a woman (@BritneySpears) getting assaulted on his behalf by his security team. Can’t wipe that smile off his face as he shows the world that he condones physical violence against women. He has ZERO compassion‼️ pic.twitter.com/AKhmsVa6MA
— 𝔹 𝕣 𝕒 𝕟 𝕕 𝕠 𝕟 𝔹 𝕪 𝕣 𝕕 (𝗕 𝗕)🏳️🌈 (@brandonbyrd87) July 7, 2023 @brandonbyrd87
Britney Spears: “It’s Britney bitch”
— extremely depressed Lakers Fan (@oprahsideclark) July 6, 2023 @oprahsideclark
Victor Wembanyama: pic.twitter.com/c54SggflTh
LMFAOOO Viktor stans trying to argue that he doesn’t know who Britney is because he’s 19 and French…. This incident happened in LAS VEGAS. Have you ever been to Vegas?? You can’t throw a rock without hitting a picture of Britney Spears.
— Mrs. Banana (@8bit_bb) July 6, 2023 @8bit_bb
VEGAS IS HER TOWN.
Victor Wembanyama security team when Britney Spears touched him#VictorWembanyama #BritneySpears pic.twitter.com/wFgLeIktz5
— J_1neofakindnoocap (@1_ofakindnocap) July 7, 2023 @1_ofakindnocap
BRITNEY SPEARS is one of the most successful and influential musical acts of all time and wrdgaf about some guy who throws around a ball
— 🖤 (@Britsanity) July 7, 2023 @Britsanity
pic.twitter.com/MSjGr9lvVo
I see people who aren’t Britney fans really forget how popular/ famous she truly is and think that people are going to be against her and side with a man that assaulted her and an athlete who laughed off the situation, that’s not happening any day soon. #BritneySpears
— Stephen🌹🚀 (@luckySGM) July 6, 2023 @luckySGM
Britney Spears really said:
— tristan (@britneyvinyl) July 6, 2023 @britneyvinyl
“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.” pic.twitter.com/lWJjvDuyNm
Britney really said "men will not get away with abusing me or causing me harm anymore!"
— AudioBritneyBeats 🇨🇦🌹🚀 (@AudioBritney) July 7, 2023 @AudioBritney
SO PROUD OF BRITNEY ❤️
RESPECT BRITNEY SPEARS ❤️
APOLOGIZE TO BRITNEY ❤️
Wemby, you better RESPECT BRITNEY SPEARS! She conquered the world at age 16, your 19 and barely known. Britney Spears is THHEE celebrity, she could teach you a few things about what a “CELEBRITY” is. You know the name. Some remorse and respect was warranted.
— RebelliousBrit 🌹🚀 (@rebellious_brit) July 7, 2023 @rebellious_brit
WAIT- so the security guard ONLY apologized BECAUSE he realized the woman he hit was Britney Spears?!?! Omg that is so disgusting, makes me wonder how many times he's done that and gotten away with it 🤢
— simney (@SimneySpears) July 6, 2023 @SimneySpears
Ummmm, regardless of him “not knowing” it was Britney Spears, WHY is he running around backhanding women?! https://t.co/pxsR0yRmo9
— Shea Couleé (@SheaCoulee) July 6, 2023 @SheaCoulee
This is Victor Wembanyama, 7’4”, next to regular height people, who claims Britney grabbed him by the shoulder, causing the *Director* of the @spurs Team Security to “defend” him from Britney Spears, 5’3”. He said he had a fun night. #JusticeForBritney pic.twitter.com/NNivhQPGrD
— Dizz #JusticeForBritney (@ThisIsMeDizz) July 6, 2023 @ThisIsMeDizz
People saying "His security guard didn't know it was Britney Spears.".... I'm sorry, but no woman, known or unknown, deserves to get slap. Period. Especially over a damn photograph.
— 👑 Mr. Weeks 👑 (@WonderKing82) July 6, 2023 @WonderKing82
Regardless of what happened, the Spurs are very dumb for sending him out there to say ANYTHING other than “this was a terrible misunderstanding and I’m sorry for the pain it’s caused Britney Spears. I hope we can make it right and I’d love to see her at a game.” https://t.co/xuzb32GW3P
— De’Vion Hinton (@LordDexHinton) July 7, 2023 @LordDexHinton
The main thing I’m learning from this whole horrible situation that happened with Britney is that many sports fans condone a woman being assaulted and are willing to defend their stance with any disgusting way possible and I honestly can’t believe it. #BritneySpears
— Stephen🌹🚀 (@luckySGM) July 6, 2023 @luckySGM
Under no circumstances should this man be laughing at what his security officer did to Britney Spears. He needs PR training, and to understand the gender dynamics and racial dynamics involved. Good luck with those future endorsements you just effed up. pic.twitter.com/z8lx66inyG
— Harvey at Skinsurrection🌊🏳️🌈 👨🏿🏫✊🏽 (@Skinsurrection) July 7, 2023 @Skinsurrection