Britney Spears’ Rep Blasts ‘Erratic’ Claims As ‘False and Defamatory

A representative for Britney Spears has denied reports that the singer exhibited erratic behavior during a visit to a Los Angeles restaurant on May 14, characterizing the claims as completely blown out of proportion.

The representative provided a statement to PEOPLE clarifying the events that took place at the Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks. According to the representative, Spears was having a quiet dinner accompanied by her bodyguard and assistant. The representative stated that Spears was in the middle of telling a story about her dog barking at neighbors and was using a knife specifically to cut a hamburger in half.

The representative emphasized that there was no threat to others during the meal.

At no point did she put anyone in danger with a knife. She was cutting her hamburger in half. Representative of Britney Spears

These denials follow a report published by TMZ on May 14, which cited anonymous sources claiming that Spears caused a scene at the establishment. The outlet reported that the singer was screaming and barking while dining with two other people. One witness alleged that Spears was carrying a knife as she walked past their table.

Further claims were made on X, formerly Twitter, by entertainment writer Jeff Sneider. Sneider alleged that he was eating dinner near Spears and described the event as a WILD experience.

She just left, and everyone in the restaurant turned and started talking about it. An INSANE dining experience. One diner feared for her life. This represents not a joke… Jeff Sneider via X

The representative for Spears argued that the reports are part of a long-standing pattern of media scrutiny. The representative compared the current situation to the singer’s experiences two decades ago, asserting that the media previously attempted to depict Spears as a bad person.

The representative described the current reports as ridiculous and stated that the constant attack on everything that she does needs to stop.

This scrutiny persists long after Spears’ rise to global prominence as the Princess of Pop. Born in 1981 in McComb, Mississippi, Spears began her professional career in 1992 as a cast member for the musical Ruthless! and appeared in the final two seasons of The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.

After signing with Jive Records in 1997, she achieved massive success with her first US Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, …Baby One More Time. She became the best-selling teenage artist of all time through the release of the albums …Baby One More Time in 1999 and Oops!… I Did It Again in 2000, followed by her 21st-century bestseller, Britney, in 2001.

Her career expanded into film with the 2002 movie Crossroads, and she continued to release influential albums including In the Zone in 2003 and Blackout in 2007. Though now considered semi-retired, she remains one of the most influential entertainers of the 21st century.

The recent controversy at the Blue Dog Tavern follows other legal and personal developments for the singer. In March, Spears was arrested and charged with a DUI.

Following that incident, Spears used Instagram to inform her followers that she was embarking on a spiritual journey. In a post featuring a baby snake, she explained the symbolism behind the animal.

Went to the pet store with my kids and look at what a beautiful baby snake this is. Snakes are symbolic of good health, higher consciousness, and pure luck… Britney Spears via Instagram