Britney Spears has been arrested for reportedly driving under the influence (DUI).
The pop star was handcuffed by the California Highway Patrol in Ventura County, California, at around 9:30pm last night (Wednesday March 4), according to TMZ.
Law enforcement sources told the outlet that Spears was then taken into custody and booked at approximately 3am today (Thursday March 5).
It is reported that she was subsequently released at around 6am. Spears is scheduled to appear in court on May 4.
“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” said a representative for Spears in a statement. “Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life.
“Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time. Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well being.”
In 2007, Spears faced charges in a hit-and-run case. The charges were eventually dropped, however, and a jury acquitted her of driving without a valid California license.
Late last year, the star’s ex-husband Kevin Federline alleged that she was using cocaine during a period when she was breastfeeding their two children. She responded by implying that Federline was trying to “profit off [her] pain”.
In 2023, Spears responded to rumours alleging that her family was concerned about her having drug issues, describing them as “not true”. Police had confirmed earlier that year that Spears was not in “any kind of danger” after conducting a wellness check.
That same year saw the artist publish her memoir, The Woman In Me. The book made countless headlines upon its release, owing to its candid discussions of her career, relationships, 13-year conservatorship and personal experiences.
Last month, it was reported that the singer had sold the rights to her entire music catalogue. Spears said in January that she would “never perform in the US again because of extremely sensitive reasons”, but hinted at performances “in the UK and Australia very soon”.
She told fans in 2024 that she would “never return to the music industry” while addressing rumours about her future projects.
Spears hasn’t released a full album since 2016’s ‘Glory’. However, an outtake from that record, ‘Swimming In The Stars’, arrived in late 2020. She then returned in 2022 to collaborate with Elton John on ‘Hold Me Closer’. The joint single marked her first release since her longstanding conservatorship ended the previous year. In 2023, she teamed up with Will.i.am on the track ‘Mind Your Business’.
This is a breaking news story – more to follow…
The post Britney Spears arrested for reportedly driving under the influence appeared first on NME.
