Pop star Britney Spears was arrested on Wednesday evening in California on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Officers detained her at around 21:30 local time (05:30 GMT) on US Highway 101, where she was driving southbound in a black BMW 430i.
Officials reported that Spears was flagged for “driving erratically at a high rate of speed.” After being pulled over, she “showed signs of impairment” and underwent a series of field sobriety tests. The incident remains under investigation, with chemical test results pending.
A representative for Spears told the BBC: “This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable. 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.” The representative added that Spears “needs help and support during this difficult time” and that her loved ones are “going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well-being.”
Spears was released from jail in the early hours of Thursday and is due to appear at Ventura County Superior Court on May 4. Jail records indicate her car was impounded and her occupation listed as “celebrity.” The BBC learned that Spears was not hospitalized after the arrest but was briefly taken to a medical facility by law enforcement for blood tests, in line with drunk-driving protocol in the state.
Following the news of her arrest, Spears appeared to have deleted her Instagram account. In January 2024, she stated she would “never return to the music industry.” However, in a since-deleted social media post earlier this year, she indicated that while she would not perform in the US, she hoped to play live in the UK and Australia in the near future.
Spears was under a conservatorship for 13 years until 2021, which saw her father control her finances and personal life. She published her memoir, “The Woman in Me,” in 2023, reflecting on her career and detailing her struggles under the conservatorship. Her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, released his own memoir, “You Thought You Knew,” at the end of 2025.
Source: www.bbc.com