Britney Spears's representative denied reports that the singer was erratic with a knife at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks on May 13. TMZ and other outlets reported Spears was screaming and barking while dining with her assistant and bodyguard. Spears pleaded guilty to a wet reckless charge in May after a March DUI arrest.
representative for Britney Spears issued a statement Thursday to address reports that the pop star was "erratic" during a dinner at a Sherman Oaks restaurant on Wednesday.
TMZ reported that Spears was "screaming," "barking," and walking around with a knife while dining at Blue Dog Tavern on May 13. The outlet also said she raised her voice and caused a scene at the restaurant.
The representative responded in a statement shared with multiple outlets.
"Britney was enjoying a quiet dinner with her assistant and bodyguard," the rep said. "She was simply telling the story about how her dog was barking at the neighbors."
The representative added that Spears "was cutting her hamburger in half" and that "at no point did she put anyone in danger with a knife."
Entertainment journalist Jeff Sneider was at the same restaurant and described the dining experience as "wild."
Sneider posted on X that "she just left and everyone in the restaurant turned and started talking about it."
He wrote that it was an "INSANE dining experience" and that "one diner feared for her life."
Sneider later told Entertainment Tonight that Spears was "using a British accent throughout the meal" and that another patron told him Spears was going to stab her as the star allegedly walked toward her table holding a knife.
The representative called the media coverage a "constant attack" on Spears and compared it to the negative portrayal of her during the custody battle that ended in 2024.
"This is exactly what happened 20 years ago when the media tried to depict Britney as a bad person," the rep said. "This is ridiculous and it needs to stop now."
These reports come days after Spears pleaded guilty to a wet reckless charge in Ventura County. Spears was arrested on suspicion of a DUI in March.
Her attorney Michael A. Goldstein announced the plea deal on May 4.
"Through her plea today, Britney has accepted responsibility for her conduct," Goldstein said at the time. "She has taken significant steps to implement positive change."
The Ventura County District Attorney reduced the charge from a DUI to a wet reckless and dismissed the DUI portion.
Spears was sentenced to 12 months of probation and one day in jail, which was credited as time served.
She was also fined $571 and ordered to attend a three-month DUI program.
Spears must see a psychologist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month as part of her sentence.
Her vehicle can also be searched for drugs and alcohol under the terms of her plea agreement.
When Spears was arrested in March, a rep for Spears said in a statement that it "was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable."
The representative added that Spears "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."
Spears recently shared that she was on a spiritual journey in the caption of an Instagram post.
The post featured Spears holding a baby snake that she got from a pet store.
"Went to the pet store with my kids and look at what what a beautiful baby snake this is," Spears wrote on Saturday, May 9. "Snakes are symbolic of good health, higher consciousness, and pure luck."
She also said she needed to "learn how to be kind to myself and the way I speak to myself."
"It's a never ending journey and sometimes I just stop, look up and say wow God I think that was you and smile on!!!!" Spears concluded.
Spears told Billboard she needed "help and support" during this time after her arrest.
She has since announced she is on a spiritual journey and learning "how to be kind to herself."
The aftermath at Blue Dog Tavern was messy according to witnesses.
One guest said the area under Spears's table looked "like a toddler had been there" after she left.
TMZ obtained a photo from the table after Spears left showing a crumpled, folded-up menu left behind amid the messy scene.
Despite all the commotion, most diners did not realize it was Spears until after she left.
People said the incident would "only happen in L.A."
Spears was taken home by her security after the dinner.
A customer at the restaurant told TMZ that Spears walked by their table holding a knife and that she feared Spears might accidently stab someone.
The customer said she believed Spears may have simply forgotten to put it down at her table.
TMZ also reported that Spears lit a cigarette inside near the door and that staff intervened to ask her companion to have her put it out.
Spears ordered a burger and fries but barely ate according to the outlet.
She mostly picked at the fries and left plenty of food behind along with what appeared to be orange juice.
The representative said Spears was "enjoying a quiet dinner with her assistant and bodyguard" and was "simply telling the story about how her dog was barking at the neighbors."
This story has been covered by multiple entertainment outlets including TMZ, People, Billboard, and India Today.
All outlets reported on the incident at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks on May 13.
The outlets have different accounts of what happened during the dinner.
TMZ said Spears was "screaming" and "barking" at times while dining.
People cited a customer who told the outlet that Spears walked by their table holding a knife.
Billboard focused on the representative's statement denying the reports.
India Today reported that Spears's representative has "shut down the claim" that she demonstrated erratic behavior with a knife in a restaurant recently.
The incident has become a topic of discussion among entertainment journalists and outlets covering Spears.
Spears is a major figure in the music industry and her statements and appearances generate significant coverage.
The Sherman Oaks restaurant incident adds to the ongoing media coverage of Spears's recent legal troubles.
This article was generated with AI assistance.