Who is Sam Asghari? Britney Spears’ ex-husband claims he had to put in more effort for his acting career after marrying the pop star
Sam Asghari is an Iranian-American model, personal trainer, and actor who first gained visibility in mainstream media because of his high-profile relationship with pop icon Britney Spears. Though their marriage ended in May 2024, Asghari recently reflected on how that chapter of his life shaped public perception of him and impacted his career in Hollywood.
In a June 9, 2025, interview with Page Six Radio, Asghari said that marrying Britney Spears had both personal and professional consequences. He said that while the relationship brought his name into the public eye, it also created barriers in the acting world.
“I can’t sit here and lie and say, ‘It wasn’t good for me... When you’re in such a public relationship, that gives you, you know, that platform. So, it sort of gave me that platform for who I am,” he said.
Sam Asghari began acting around the time he met Britney Spears, after being cast as her love interest in the 2016 music video for Slumber Party. The role marked a turning point in his visibility, and the couple eventually married in 2022.
More about Britney Spears’ relationship with Sam Asghari
Sam Asghari and Britney Spears were married for just over a year before separating in August 2023. Their divorce was finalized in May 2024.
Speaking candidly on Page Six Radio, the 31-year-old said he had to “absolutely” work harder to be taken seriously. Talking about the early days of his career, when his relationship with Britney Spears was just starting, he said that visibility came with more scrutiny. He said casting agents often dismissed him as “a cheesy trainer,” and his association with the global pop star only made those assumptions more popular.
Beyond acting, Asghari said he supported himself by waiting tables and running his own business, Asghari Fitness. While his background helped shape his work ethic, it also fed into a narrative that some casting directors found difficult to look past.
“‘Oh, and he’s associated with a pop star, which is also cheesy as well.’ Or ‘can we see him as a character?’ There was that line as well,” he said in the interview, recalling what directors said about casting him.
When did Sam Asghari and Britney Spears separate?
Sam Asghari and Britney Spears first met on the set of the Toxic singer’s music video for Slumber Party in 2016, and they got married six years later in 2022. When the couple announced their separation in August 2023, Asghari was the first to issue a public statement via Instagram, as per People Magazine.
“AFTER 6 YEARS OF LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER MY WIFE AND I HAVE DECIDED TO END OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER. WE WILL HOLD ONTO THE LOVE AND RESPECT WE HAVE FOR EACH OTHER AND I WISH HER THE BEST ALWAYS.”
Britney Spears also shared a video on Instagram to announce the end of her marriage on August 19, 2023, saying that she was “shocked.” The caption of the post read:
“6 years is a long time to be with someone so, I’m a little shocked but … I’m not here to explain why because its honestly nobody’s business !!!”
Following the initial post, Asghari made efforts to continue speaking about the relationship in measured, respectful terms. In a March 2024 interview with People Magazine, he said that he didn’t believe in tearing down past relationships.
“It was a blessing to be able to share life with someone for a long time. And people grow apart and people move on,” he said.
Asghari reiterated that he had “nothing but an amazing experience” with Britney Spears, calling it “a chapter of [his] life” that he would continue to respect.
“I’ve always hated people leaving a certain relationship — and at some point they told each other they love each other and they sat at the same table and ate food [together] — so I never understood when people part ways [and] they talk badly about each other,” he said.
Britney Spears has been focusing on fashion and family in recent months. In May 2025, the Womanizer singer filed a trademark for her first jewelry line, B Tiny, confirming plans to be hands-on with the designs. After that, she launched a limited-edition Balenciaga collaboration as part of their Spring 2026 “Exactitudes” collection, featuring hoodies, caps, and T‑shirts priced at up to $1,650, accompanied by a curated playlist and remix EP.
