Britney Spears flashed back to her iconic “I’m a Slave 4 U” performance while offering an update on her state of mind following her DUI plea deal.
“Went to the pet store with my kids and look at what a beautiful baby snake this is,” Spears, 44, wrote alongside an Instagram photo of her handling a snake on Saturday, May 89. “Snakes are symbolic of good health, higher consciousness, and pure luck…”
The baby snake had similar coloring to the 7-foot, yellow albino Burmese python that Spears draped around her neck during her legendary 2001 MTV Video Music Awards performance.
In her latest post, the singer also reflected on the “spiritual journey” she has taken in recent weeks.
“I’m so damn thankful to my friends and so many new beautiful people I have met through my spiritual journey… all a blessing in disguise,” she wrote. “I still have 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 was arrested near her home on March 4, with a test determining that her blood alcohol content was .06, or under the legal limit. (The blood alcohol limit in California is 0.08% or higher for drivers 21 and older.)
“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” Spears’ spokesperson said in a statement to Us Weekly on March 5. “Britney 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. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.”
Britney Spears performing with a snake at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
Her rep indicated that Spears would be “spending time” with the two sons — Sean Preston Federline, 20, and Jayden James Federline, 19 — whom she shares with her ex-husband Kevin Federline.
A source exclusively revealed to Us that Preston and Jayden “played a big part” in getting their mom to check into rehab on April 12.
“Britney went to rehab after several conversations with both of her sons,” an insider told Us. “They expressed concern about her recent behavior and urged her to seek professional help, which has been long overdue, to get her back on track. All they’ve ever wanted for their mom is health and happiness, even during the years they were estranged. They hope she’ll take it seriously.”
While she was seeking treatment, Spears was officially charged with one count of “vehicle code section 23152” a.k.a. driving under the influence on April 30.
A spokesperson for the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Spears would be “extended” a “wet reckless” plea offer, where she would be “placed on probation for 12 months” and receive “credit for any time spent in custody [and be] required to complete a DUI class, and must pay state-mandated fines and fees.”
“This DUI case will be handled according to our standard protocols. For defendants without a prior DUI history, a low blood alcohol level, and where there is no crash or injury, prosecutors typically offer what is known as a ‘wet reckless,’” the DA’s office told Us in a statement at the time. “This law allows a defendant to plead guilty to reckless driving involving alcohol and/or drugs. This type of resolution is common, particularly when a defendant demonstrates self-motivation to address underlying issues through rehabilitation or a drug and alcohol treatment program.”
Spears left rehab that same day and ultimately agreed to plead guilty to “wet reckless driving” at a May 4 hearing. As a result of her plea, the previous charge of one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol was dismissed.
She was sentenced to 12 months of probation and one day in jail, with credit given for the time she spent in custody. Under the terms of her plea deal, Spears is required to complete a DUI class and pay $571 in state-mandated fees, in addition to seeing a psychologist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month.
“Through her plea today, Britney has accepted responsibility for her conduct,” Spears’ attorney, Michael Goldstein, told the New York Times after the May 4 hearing. “She has taken significant steps to implement positive change which is clearly reflected in the Ventura County District Attorney’s decision to reduce the charge in this case and dismiss the DUI. Britney appreciates this discretion and is also grateful for the outpouring of support she has received.”
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