Britney Spears and Sam Asghari in July 2023.Photo:Britney Spears Instagram
Britney Spears Instagram
Britney SpearsandSam Asghariare officially divorced.
On Aug. 16, 2023, multiple sources confirmed to PEOPLE thatthe couple separated after 14 months of marriage. That same day, Asgharifiled for divorce, and theirsplit was finalizedin May 2024.
Spears and Asghari were first romantically linked after meeting on theset of Spears' “Slumber Party” music video. In the years that followed, the two were seen going on cozy date night dinners and jet-setting to favorite locales, including Hawaii.
The two gotengaged in September 2021andtied the knotthe following June in front ofabout 60 guests— including famous friendsMadonna,Paris Hilton,Kathy HiltonandDrew Barrymore.
From their first meeting to their split, here’s a look at Britney Spears and Sam Asghari’s relationship timeline.
The two first connected after Asghari appeared as Spears' love interest in her “Slumber Party” music video, which was shot in October and released the following month.
Sam Asghari and Britney Spears.Sam Asghari/Instagram
In late November 2016, the duo kept people guessing about their relationship when Asghari posted a photo of himself cozied up to Spears while out at a restaurant, which he later deleted.
It wasn’t long after a source told PEOPLE in December 2016 that Spears and Asghari weregetting to know each otherwhen the model made his first official appearance on her Instagram. They rang in the new year together at Catch LA, where they seemed cozy and in great spirits leading up to a midnight kiss. She seemingly confirmed suspicions of a blossoming relationship with an Instagram post showing Asghari with his arm around her shoulder.
Fans may be surprised to know that their new relationship was nearly a missed connection. After their initial meeting, the Princess of Pop dug up Asghari’s phone number out of her bag nearly “five months later,” she revealed in a January 2017radio interview.
“I was like, ‘He was really cute, this guy was really cute,’ so I called him,” she said. “He’s just a really fun, funny person.”
Fortunately, it was a match and Asghari became Spears' date to the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala in February 2017, before they spent Valentine’s Day in a $30 million villa in Malibu, courtesy of Airbnb, with her sonsSean PrestonandJayden James Federline.
The following month meant the celebration of Asghari’s 23rd birthday.
Asghari also gushed about his special cake from Spears that read “Happy Birthday Hesam.”
As the singer toured in Japan, her first stop on a month-long international tour, Asghari paid her a special visit.
“Came to Japan to see this one @britneyspears,” Asghari wrote on Twitter —while Spears wrote earlier, “Thinking of tonight’s show has me spinning… just like this night in Vegas. Can’t wait to see you, #Osaka!!!”
Channeling their inner kids, Spears and Asghari spent a day at Disneyland in September 2017, which she marked with a couples' pic on Instagram.
On Nov. 29, the couple attended a Los Angeles Lakers game together withSpears' two sons, Preston and Jayden, whom she shares with ex-husbandKevin Federline.
The two rang in 2018 together witha cute video to Instagramtaken ahead of herfinal Las Vegas residency show.
“Are you excited about 2018?” Asghari asked Spears, to which she replied in the affirmative.
“You look beautiful,” Asghari told his girlfriend.
“Thank you, and I love you,” the singer said before giving him a kiss on the cheek as he grinned.
In early February 2018, Spearsshared a sweet postcommemorating their time together.
“I’ve been with this man for over a year,” shecaptioned a photo of the coupleon a hike near a waterfall. “Every day he inspires me to be a better person and that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world!! 🌈🌸❤.”
Britney Spears and boyfriend Sam Asghari.Vivien Killilea/Getty
Once summer was in full swing, the two took a trip to Miami, where Spears wrote that she was “having the best time with my other half ❤️ .”
After her father, Jamie Spears, became seriously ill when hiscolon spontaneously rupturedin November 2018, the singer revealed that she would be taking an indefinite break from preparing for her next Las Vegas show,Domination, to support her father.
During the tough time,Spears checked into a facilityfor “all-encompassing wellness treatment” in April 2019. That’s when Asghari stepped in to play a bigger role in supporting Spears as she dealt with her father’s health scare.
A Spears family source told PEOPLE, “There is no question that Sam is great for Britney. He has a very positive influence on her. He is very motivated to stay healthy and fit, and they often work out together.”
Asghari also often cooks healthy meals for the star, and “he is a wonderful boyfriend,” the source added.
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari.Kevin Winter/Getty
In late July 2019, the two posted about attending their first film premiere together as a couple. Spears and Asghari walked theOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodred carpet on July 23. The couple happily posed for photos on the carpet and evenshared a kiss.
On Spears' 38th birthday that December, Asghari posted a tribute to his “princess” alongside a video of the two ice skating.
“We live, we laugh, we argue, and most of all we LOVE ❤️ There’s a reason why the world fell in love with you!” he wrote. “You might be the princess of pop but mostly you’re my princess 👸.”
Asghari continued: “Biggest Happy Birthday to you @britneyspears 🎆 My Ass still hurts from falling and breaking the ice 😂😂😂😂 you get it?”
“Sam has been Britney’s rock for years. He makes sure that she eats well and works out,” the source says about Spears' boyfriend. “She leans on him for everything. He works and has his own life too, but is around as much as he can.”
“I have always wanted nothing but the best for my better half, and will continue to support her following her dreams and creating the future she wants and deserves,” he told PEOPLE exclusively then. “I am thankful for all of the love and support she is receiving from her fans all over the world, and I am looking forward to a normal, amazing future together.”
On Sept. 12, 2021, Asghariproposed to Spears. The couple shared the happy news on Instagram, and Asghari’s manager Brandon Cohen shared in an additional statement to PEOPLE that he is “proud to celebrate and confirm the engagement.”
Sam Asghari Instagram
On April 11, Spears posted a photo of a pink tea set and matching flowers to her Instagram page along with a lengthy caption about her latest vacation to Maui, leaving many fans wondering if she and Asghari have tied the knot andare expecting their first child together.
On June 9,the longtime couple said “I do"in Los Angeles. Around60 guests were in attendance, including Drew Barrymore, Madonna, Paris Hilton andSelena Gomez.
Spears shot back with anInstagram Storysaying, “It saddens me to hear that my ex-husband has decided to discuss the relationship between me and my children.”
“As we all know, raising teenage boys is never easy for anyone. It concerns me the reason is based on my Instagram. It was LONG before Instagram,” she continued, referencing Federline’s comment about how the boys react to their mom’s social media posts.
Spears added, “Only one word: HURTFUL.”
Asghari supported his wife with his own Instagram Story. “There is no validity to his statement regarding the kids distancing themselves and it is irresponsible to make that statement publicly,” he wrote. “The boys are very smart and will be 18 soon to make their own decisions and may eventually realize the ‘tough’ part was having a father who hasn’t worked much in over 15 years as a role model.”
He added that he doesn’t know Federline personally, but he has “nothing against him aside from him choosing to vilify my wife.”
In a second Instagram Story, Asghari wrote, “I wish him the best and hope he has a more positive outlook in the future for benefit of all involved.” He added, “But for now: Keep my wife’s name…..out your mouth.”
On her birthday, Asgharisurprised Spears with cake, flowers and balloons.
“My husband surprised me ✨🎂🎈!!!” Spears wrote on Instagram. “I’m sick with the flu and he came downstairs … he was pretty f—ing smooth !!!! I love you 🥰😘 !!!! It’s Mr. and Mrs. Asghari 💍💍💍 !!!”
Asghari shared a behind-the-scenes videoof how he prepared the house for his wife’s birthday.
“Today’s your girl’s birthday. Been together for a few years, you’re starting to run out of ideas,” he can be heard saying in the clip. “You’ve gotta be creative fellas. You will never have enough balloons. The more, the better. Regular guys just buy flowers, but you’re not a regular guy, so you buy a bunch of rose petals and place them like a classic man.”
Asghari and Spears were both spotted without their wedding rings, which led fans to believe that the couple had split.
However, Brandon Cohen, a rep for Asghari, told PEOPLE that the pair arenot having marital problemsdespite the rumors. He explained that Asghari wasn’t wearing his ring because he was filming a movie.
After months of rumors about marital issues, multiple sources confirmed to PEOPLE that Spears and Asghari split. A source also confirmed that the personal trainer filed for divorce from the pop star. Court documents revealed that the couple separated on July 28 and that Asghari isrequesting spousal support.
“Theirmarriage has been on the rocks for months,” a source told PEOPLE. “There has been constant drama. It’s sad. A divorce would be devastating for Britney.”
A separate insider added: “It’s been very toxic between them for a long time.”
A day after filing for divorce, Asghari shared a statement on Instagram.
“AFTER 6 YEARS OF LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER MY WIFE AND I HAVE DECIDED TO END OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER,” he wrote. “WE WILL HOLD ONTO THE LOVE AND RESPECT WE HAVE FOR EACH OTHER ANDI WISH HER THE BEST ALWAYS.”
Asghari continued: “S— HAPPENS. ASKING FOR PRIVACY SEEMS [RIDICULOUS] SO I WILL JUST ASK FOR EVERYONE … TO BE KIND AND THOUGHTFUL.”
The actor’s rep, Brandon Cohen from BAC Talent, made a separate statement to PEOPLE.
“There are many claims that Sam is challenging the prenup and threatening to exploit his ex-wife with videos,” he said. “However, all these claims are false, as no negative intention has ever been directed towards her and never will be. Sam has always and will always support her.”
According to a source, Spears is in “great spirits despite everythinggoing on.”
“Obviously it’s never an easy thing to go through,” the source said, “but she’s remaining positive and focusing on the future.”
Asghari harbors no negativity toward Spears or their short-lived marriage.
“It was a blessing to be able to share life with someone for a long time. And people grow apart andpeople move on,” he told PEOPLE. “I never understood when people part ways [and] they talk badly about each other. That’s something I’m never going to do because I had nothing but an amazing experience.”
“The divorce was amicable and the prenup was not challenged,” a source told PEOPLE. “Britney is continuing to flex her freedom and is moving on.”
The source went on to add, “The report that she is in financial distress is false and she is not on any lease for him.”
source: people.com