Britney Spears was taken into custody on Wednesday evening in Ventura County, California, following allegations of driving under the influence.
The 44-year-old pop icon was detained by officers from the California Highway Patrol at approximately 9:30 pm local time, according to records from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The singer was subsequently released on Thursday morning after spending several hours in detention.
Representatives for the Grammy-winning artist, renowned for chart-topping singles such as Toxic and Oops!… I Did It Again, said Ms Spears’ arrest was “completely inexcusable” and the incident “can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life.”
Britney Spears was taken into custody on Wednesday evening
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The singer is due to appear before a court on May 4th in connection with the alleged offence.
In the wake of her arrest, Ms Spears allegedly deactivated her Instagram account, though whether this decision was connected to the incident remains unclear.
Ms Spears was released from custody on Thursday morning
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The arrest follows a period of legal activity for the star.
Ms Spears recently obtained a permanent restraining order against a 51-year-old Louisiana man who had allegedly subjected her to years of online harassment and appeared at her Los Angeles residence.
Court documents revealed the individual had been contacting her since 2013 and was arrested for trespassing at her home in 2025.
In 2007, she faced four misdemeanour charges relating to an alleged hit-and-run involving a stationary vehicle in Los Angeles.
Ms Spears with sons Jayden James Federline (L) and Sean Preston Federline (R)
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Those matters were resolved after she compensated the vehicle’s owner, whilst a jury cleared her of driving without a valid California licence.
The singer has regularly made headlines due to her 13-year conservatorship, which placed control of her personal and financial affairs in the hands of her father and court-appointed figures.
The agreement was officially terminated on November 12 2021.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny ruled the arrangement was “no longer required” after the singer delivered explosive testimony describing it as “abusive” and “traumatising”.
Britney Spears shaved her head in 2007
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The conservatorship had been introduced in 2008 following a series of highly publicised mental health struggles and gave her father, Jamie Spears, significant authority over her life and career.
Ms Spears alleged in court that she had been prevented from having more children, forced to work and placed on strong medication against her will.
Britney Spears (2nd,L) and family (L-R), father Jamie, brother Bryan and mother Lynne
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The case drew global attention through the #FreeBritney movement and the documentary Framing Britney Spears.
Although the conservatorship ended in 2021, legal disputes between Spears and her father continued until a settlement was reached in April 2024.