Britney Spears recently switched up her Instagram dance routine to include knives. Throughout the week, the singer has been sharing videos on the social media platform wielding what looks like sharp knives and, in turn, raising concern for her safety among her already protective fans. On Friday, three days after Spears first debuted her new props, she properly responded to speculation that she was purposefully putting herself in danger.

“I know I spooked everyone with the last post, but these are fake knives that my team rented from Hand Prop shop in LA,” she wrote in an Instagram caption beneath another dance video. “These are not real knives. No one needs to worry or call the police. I’m trying to imitate one of my favorite performers Shakira … a performance I was inspired by. Cheers to us bad girls who aren’t afraid to push boundaries and take risks.”

Spears keeps the comments on his Instagram posts disabled, likely for this very reason. Particularly following the termination of her 13-year conservatorship in late 2021, her fans have remained worried and on edge. Earlier this year, Spears directly addressed their overstepping after someone called the police to her home to perform a wellness check after she temporarily deleted her Instagram account.

“As everyone knows the police were called to my house based on some prank phone calls,” Spears wrote in a Twitter statement at the time. “I love and adore my fans but this time things went a little too far and my privacy was invaded.”

She added: “This felt like I was being gaslit and bullied once the incident made it to the news and being portrayed once again in a poor and unfair light by the media. During this time in my life, I truly hope the public and my fans who I care so much about can respect my privacy moving forward.”