Pop icon Britney Spears was arrested late Wednesday night in California’s Ventura County on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to official records from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said the singer was detained at approximately 9:28 pm local time on March 4. She was later formally booked shortly after 3:00 am and released at around 6:07 am the same morning. Several media outlets, including Billboard, Variety and TMZ, reported the arrest after reviewing the booking records.

Spears is expected to appear in court on May 4 in connection with the alleged offence.

The singer has long been one of the most closely watched figures in the entertainment industry. Public attention surrounding her life intensified again in 2021 when a judge ended the conservatorship that had governed her personal and financial decisions for more than a decade. The arrangement had been overseen by her father, Jamie Spears.

In the years following the legal decision, Spears experienced several personal and professional developments. She married actor and fitness trainer Sam Asghari, though the couple later separated and finalised their divorce.

During the same period, the pop star published her memoir, The Woman in Me, which became a bestseller and offered an in-depth look at her career, fame and personal struggles. Reports also suggested that she recently sold her music catalogue and related rights to the company Primary Wave.

Despite remaining one of the most recognisable names in global pop music, Spears has largely stayed out of the public spotlight in recent years.

She had earlier planned a Las Vegas residency titled Britney Spears: Domination in 2019, but the project was eventually postponed, and the singer stepped away from performing for an extended period.