American pop star Britney Spears has been arrested in California on suspicion of drunk driving, according to law enforcement officials.
The 44-year-old singer was taken into custody on Wednesday in Ventura County.
Authorities said the arrest took place at around 9:30 pm local time. Officers from the California Highway Patrol reportedly stopped Spears and arrested her on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI).
After being taken into custody, Spears was booked into the Ventura County jail on Thursday morning. Records show she was processed at around 3:00 am and later released several hours later.
Officials described the arrest as a “cite and release” case, meaning Spears was not kept in custody for long and was released after being formally cited. She is expected to appear in court on May 4.
Spears’ representatives have not yet publicly commented on the arrest. Authorities also have not released many details about the circumstances that led to the traffic stop or whether any further charges could follow.
The incident went viral and in the media, given Spears’ long and highly public career. The singer rose to global fame in the late 1990s with hits such as “...Baby One More Time” and “Toxic”, becoming one of the most recognizable artists of her generation.
In recent years, Spears has remained in the public eye because of her personal life. In 2021, a court ended the conservatorship that had controlled many aspects of her finances and personal decisions for more than a decade. The arrangement had been in place since 2008.
Since the conservatorship ended, Spears has shared frequent updates with fans on social media and has stepped back from releasing new music.
