Britney Spears has broken her silence following her arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, telling a close friend she is 'OK'. The 44-year-old pop star was taken into custody by the California Highway Patrol on Wednesday night after officers stopped her vehicle for erratic driving.
Spears was arrested for 'driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol' and taken to Ventura County Main Jail. Chemical test results are pending and the investigation is ongoing, police said. A representative for the star described the incident as 'completely inexcusable' and expressed hope that Spears would get the help and support she needs.
Sean Phillips, Spears' former personal assistant and longtime friend, said he texted her after the news broke and received a brief reply. 'All I texted her was: 'Are you OK' and she just said 'I'm OK',' he told Good Morning Britain. Phillips described the incident as out of character and urged Spears to consider leaving Los Angeles, suggesting a change of environment could help her move forward.
Phillips also hinted at concerns about some of the people around her, saying: 'You have to think about who else is she associating herself with,' though he declined to elaborate. According to US reports, Spears' mother Lynne contacted her after the arrest, and the pair had a 'positive' and 'hopeful' conversation.
Spears' arrest comes after the end of her 13-year conservatorship in 2021, which had controlled her career and finances. In February, she sold part of her back catalogue rights to Primary Wave for an undisclosed fee.
