Britney Spears and Sam Asghari's relationship timeline: From their first New Years together to separation
- Britney Spears and Sam Asghari separated after 14 months of marriage.
- The two were married in an intimate wedding in Los Angeles on June 9, 2022.
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari separated after 14 months of marriage.
According to documents reviewed by Insider, Asghari filed for divorce August 16 citing "irreconcilable differences."
Asghari is seeking spousal support and attorneys' fees.
The two married in an intimate ceremony at their residence in Los Angeles in June 2022 after dating for six years.
After tying the knot, the couple continued to keep a low profile — with the occasional public displays of affection. Last June, Asghari gave his first interview since marriage, telling Good Morning America, "You know, it's just surreal, man. It's been a minute. It was way overdue for us."
Us Weekly reports the couple were having "ups and downs" earlier this summer. In March, Asghari was spotted without his wedding ring. At the time, People reported Asghari removed his ring due to filming for an unspecified movie role.
Who is Sam Asghari?
Hesam Asghari, a 29-year-old model, actor, and personal trainer, immigrated with his family from Iran to the US when he was young.
According to a 2017 Men's Health interview with Asghari, his sister helped him pursue modeling, and he walked his first show in 2015 for designer Michael Costello. He then booked his first acting gig in a 2016 Toyota Prius commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. This led to music-video appearances, followed by his current role as Armeen in BET+'s television series "The Family Business."
He founded his personal training program, Asghari Fitness, in 2020. When he's not promoting this on the company's official Instagram account, he posts fun workouts, especially with Spears, on his personal one.
Asghari and Spears, 41, were an item since 2016. Here's a timeline of their relationship.
Fall 2016: Asghari and Spears met while he starred in her 'Slumber Party' music video
Asghari was featured in Fifth Harmony's February 2016 "Work" music video, but his big break (career-wise and romantically) wasn't until when he was cast in Spears' "Slumber Party" music video. In the video, which was released on November 18, 2016, Asghari plays Spears' love interest.
"I was excited that I get to meet one of the biggest artists of all time. I had butterflies," Asghari told Men's Health the following year.
He spoke about his attempts to be witty with the singer, saying, "She said, 'Hi, I'm Britney,' and I said, 'I'm sorry. What's your name again?'"
The couple went on to hang out with each other throughout the shoot and exchanged phone numbers, according to the actor.
In a September 2019 interview, Asghari told Entertainment Tonight's Keltie Knight that he didn't have to audition for the video. Instead, a friend who was working on it passed on his name to the casting director.
"Then they sent my pictures to my [future] girlfriend, and she picked it. She said, 'I want this guy,'" Asghari said.
Winter 2016: Spears reached out to Asghari after finding his number months later
According to People, Spears was the one to reach out first. She found Asghari's phone number in her purse almost five months post-video shoot, she said in a 2017 interview on AMP 103.7's "Fast in the Morning with Nathan Fast and Sybil Summers."
"I was like, 'He was really cute, this guy was really cute,' so I called him," she told the radio cohosts. "He's just a really fun, funny person."
The pair went out for sushi and kept the initial months of their dating life private, with only minimal speculation from the public. But in November 2016, the actor posted a photo of the pair on Instagram — which he quickly took down — confirming the rumors, according to People.
January 1, 2017: Spears posted a photo of herself with Asghari on her Instagram account for the first time
Spears and Asghari celebrated the 2017 new year together. To commemorate, Spears posted a loving photo of the pair together. This was the first time Spears personally shared insight into her relationship with Asghari.
February 2017: They attended their first event together as a couple and celebrated Valentine's Day with Spears' children
On February 11, 2017, the couple attended their first official event together. At Clive Davis' and the Recording Academy's 2017 Pre-Grammy Gala, Spears walked the carpet alone, but then met up with Asghari for the remainder of the event.
That month, Spears also let Asghari into her sons' worlds. From approximately February 11 through February 14, the couple stayed in a Malibu, California, Airbnb. For the Valentine's Day vacation — which Spears gleefully shared on Instagram — the couple spent it with Spears' children Sean Preston and Jayden James, whom Spears had with her previous husband Kevin Federline.
March 3, 2017: Spears posted on Instagram for Asghari's 23rd birthday
For Asghari's 23rd birthday, Spears shared the birthday love in an Instagram post. She included photos of herself and Asghari and captioned it, "my baby's birthday"
Asghari also shared a post of his birthday cake with a chocolate-written "Happy Birthday Hesam" on it, pointing out that the singer uses his original name.
It would be the first of many birthday tributes they'd give each other over the years.
February 5, 2018: In another Instagram post, Spears said Asghari made her 'feel like the luckiest girl in the world'
In the post, the pair wore athletic gear in front of a waterfall, and the singer reminisced on being with Asghari for over a year.
"He inspires me to be a better person and that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world!!" she wrote.
The couple's private love life became highly publicized through their Instagram accounts. Spears' Instagram is full of PDA-packed photos and tributes to Asghari.
July 7, 2018: Asghari spoke to Men's Health about how Spears 'motivates' him and is a 'blessing'
In his 2017 Men's Health interview, Asghari spoke about his love, admiration, and respect for Spears.
"She motivates me more than anyone," he said. "It's crazy how I can be humbled by a person like her. If I could be that humble when I'm that high in life, that would be the best thing."
He continued, saying, "My personality is just to be a supportive person for my family and she's family. I'm always going to support her. She is another blessing that happened to me."
April 3, 2019: Spears checked into a mental health facility and Asghari publicly supported her
After Spears started her Piece of Me tour in July 2018, her father, Jamie Spears, became ill in November 2018, which prompted the singer to take a break from her career. Then on April 3, 2019, Spears checked into a facility supposedly for "all-encompassing wellness treatment," according to an anonymous source who spoke to People.
Asghari showed his support for his girlfriend, reposting a photo that is no longer available on Spears' account. In the repost, Asghari commented on the singer's treatment, adding his own caption, which includes, "It isn't weakness, It's a sign of absolute strength, people should only be inspired by this."
Later in 2019, in a conservatorship court hearing, Spears said she was forced to go to the mental-health facility, according to The New York Times.
Spring 2019: Spears checked out of the facility and reunited with Asghari
CNN reported on April 26, 2019, that Spears had checked out of the facility, according to an anonymous source.
After being inactive online between January 2019 and April 2019 — and not posting with or about Asghari since December 2018 — Spears returned to social media. She confirmed her love for the actor on March 17, 2019, with a photo of the two of them and writing, "I love this man."
July 22, 2019: The couple made their first red-carpet appearance at the 'Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood' premiere
Although together for over two years and having attended other events, the couple didn't make their first joint red-carpet appearance until July 22, 2019, according to Cosmopolitan UK. They were all smiles when they walked the carpet for Quentin Tarantino's film "Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood."
September 4, 2019: Asghari spoke to Entertainment Tonight about their 'normal' love and the possibility of marriage
In the interview with Entertainment Tonight's Keltie Knight, Asghari spoke kindly of his relationship.
"What I love the most about my relationship is the fact that it's so normal," he said. "It's not glamorous or anything."
He added, "We can get inspired by each other here and there and really grow with each other."
When asked about a possible marriage in the future, he said, "This is something that every couple should do. That's the whole point of a relationship we are a family."
Spring and summer 2020: The couple began quarantining together and shared more about their relationship online
Spears was separated from Asghari during the initial surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they didn't reunite until some point between late-April and mid-May through updates via Spears' Instagram.
Then the couple were quarantined together. They shared frequent lighthearted posts showing themselves working out, dancing, and going to the beach.
February 2021: After the documentary 'Framing Britney Spears' was released, Asghari showed his support for Spears
On February 5, 2021, The New York Times released the much-anticipated and unauthorized documentary "Framing Britney Spears" for Hulu.
Asghari commented indirectly on the documentary to People on February 8 and to Entertainment Tonight on February 9, saying, "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 continued, "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 Instagram, Asghari was more blunt about his feelings, specifically about her father, Jamie Spears. According to Cosmopolitan UK, on February 10, the actor wrote in an Instagram Story, "Now it's important for people to understand that I have zero respect for someone trying to control our relationship and constantly throwing obstacles our way."
June 23, 2021: As Spears spoke out in a conservatorship hearing, Asghari wore a #FreeBritney shirt
On June 23, 2021, in a bid to remove her father as her conservator, Spears had a public conservatorship hearing over the phone with Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny — two years after Spears' initial hearing, which didn't lead to any positive change for the singer. Prior to the hearing, Asghari posted an Instagram Story of him wearing a hand-painted #FreeBritney shirt, according to Harper's Bazaar.
In a transcript of the hearing released by The New York Times, Spears spoke on the wrongdoings she felt her father, team, and treatment specialists did to her, while also pleading to remove her father as her conservator. At one point speaking on the limits placed on her person, her finances, and her relationship with Asghari, Spears said, "All I want is to own my money, for this to end, and my boyfriend to drive me in his [expletive] car."
Spears also alleged that her father and the conservatorship limited her rights to grow her family, which, after being released to the public, sparked waves of shock.
"I was told right now in the conservatorship, I'm not able to get married or have a baby," she said.
She continued, "I have an ID [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don't get pregnant. I wanted to take the ID [IUD] out so I could start trying to have another baby. But this so-called team won't let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don't want me to have children, any more children."
Jamie Spears' lawyer, Vivian Thoreen, denied the claim, saying in court, "I'm not sure Miss Spears understands she can make medical decisions and have birth control implanted or not."
September 12, 2021: Asghari proposed to Spears and the couple shared the happy news on Instagram
The couple excitedly announced their engagement on Instagram. Spears showed off her 4-carat diamond ring, which was designed by Forever Diamonds' founder and jeweler Roman Malayev and engraved with Asghari's nickname for Spears, "Lioness," according to Harper's Bazaar.
Months later, on November 10, 2021, in a since-deleted Instagram post, Spears said Donatella Versace was designing her wedding dress, according to Harper's Bazaar.
September 29, 2021: A judge removed Spears' father as the conservator of her estate. Spears and Asghari celebrated the win
Judge Brenda Penny decided to remove Jamie Spears as the conservator of Britney Spears' estate. According to Insider, CPA John Zabel temporarily took on this role instead.
Asghari cheered on Spears in an Instagram Story, congratulating her and writing, "She did this. Her fanbase is called the army for a reason," according to Harper's Bazaar,
The singer shared how thankful she was for her fans who stood by her and advocated for her.
On October 4, 2021, Spears tweeted a short video clip of her with the caption, "#FreeBritney movement … I have no words … because of you guys and your constant resilience in freeing me from my conservatorship … my life is now in that direction !!!!! I cried last night for two hours cause my fans are the best and I know it."
October 8, 2021: Asghari added a dog to the couple's family to love and protect Spears
Asghari expanded the couple's family by surprising Spears with a Doberman dog.
In a video he posted on October 8, Asghari holds the dog and explains, "Her name is Porsha and she's meant to unconditionally love you. And it's gonna be trained to protect you from any [expletive] who comes around you with bad intentions."
November 12, 2021: Spears' nearly 14-year conservatorship was officially terminated
Judge Penny officially terminated Spears' conservatorship on November 12, 2021. It meant she was now free for the first time since 2008 to control her finances, her career, and her personal life.
Spears' attorney, Mathew Rosengart, made a statement outside the courthouse, saying, "As of today, effective immediately, the conservatorship has been terminated as to both the person and the estate," according to CNN. He continued, "This is a monumental day for Britney Spears."
On November 12, Asghari posted a photo of the word "freedom" on his Instagram with the caption, "History was made today. Britney is Free!"
And on November 15, Spears broke her silence with a post excitedly describing her experience since her newfound freedom. "What a sight seeing so many people celebrating my victory …. I love my fans so much … so thank you!!!!" she wrote.
April 11, 2022: Spears shared that she's pregnant and called Asghari her 'husband'
In an Instagram post showing a pink teacup and pink flowers, Spears wrote that she lost weight for a trip to Maui just to gain it all back. Wondering why her stomach looked the way it did, she said she took a pregnancy test and was surprised to find out she's pregnant.
"It's growing !!!" she added. "If 2 are in there … I might just loose [sic] it."
Spears discussed the strains of being under the spotlight, especially while pregnant, saying, "I obviously won't be going out as much due to the paps getting their money shot of me like they unfortunately already have."
The singer also opened up about her experiences suffering from perinatal depression when pregnant with her two sons, Sean Preston, now 16, and Jayden James, now 15.
"I have to say it is absolutely horrible. Women didn't talk about it back then … some people considered it dangerous if a woman complained like that with a baby inside her," Spears wrote. "But now women talk about it everyday … thank Jesus we don't have to keep that pain a reserved proper secret."
While it was unclear if the couple were already married, she referred to Asghari in the post as "my husband." She also called him "my HUSBAND" in a post a couple of days earlier, with an emoji of a ring.
May 14, 2022: Spears said she had a pregnancy loss in a joint statement with Asghari
Spears announced on Instagram that she had experienced a pregnancy loss, writing, "We have lost our miracle baby early in the pregnancy."
"This is a devastating time for any parent," she wrote and added, "Our love for each other is our strength. We will continue trying to expand our beautiful family."
"We are grateful for what we have in the process of expanding our beautiful family," Spears captioned the post. "Thank you for your support."
Asghari commented on the post, writing, "We will have a miracle soon."
June 9, 2022: Spears and Asghari married in an intimate wedding at their home in Los Angeles
The couple married at their home in Thousand Oaks in Los Angeles in early June. They had an intimate wedding with approximately 60 guests in attendance, which included many of the couple's celebrity friends, according to People.
However, the pop star's father Jamie, mother Lynne, sister Jamie Lynn, and two sons Sean Preston and Jayden James didn't attend the ceremony.
"We really wanted to make this a small and beautiful moment with family and friends," Spears told Vogue. "We wanted warm and feminine colors including blush, white, cream, and gold, and a lot of various shades of pinks, blush, and reds."
Donatella Versace designed Spears' custom wedding dress, according to the publication. The bride wore an off-the-shoulder gown with a leg slit and paired it with a veil. Asghari wore a Versace tuxedo.
Vogue also shared that the couple exchanged rings by Stephanie Gottlieb, each choosing a stack of bands and Asghari's opting for platinum.
The event wasn't without drama: Her first ex-husband, Jason Alexander, was accused of trespassing on Spears' property after attempting to "crash" the wedding.
After their short outdoor wedding, the publication said Spears changed into three different looks during the party, all by Versace.
The star-studded guest list included Versace, Madonna, Selena Gomez, Paris Hilton, Drew Barrymore, Maria Menounos, and will.i.am., according to People and Vogue.
June 29, 2022: In Asghari's first post-wedding interview, he said being Spears' husband 'hasn't hit me yet'
Asghari spoke to Good Morning America on June 29 about married life.
"You know, it's just surreal, man. It's been a minute. It was way overdue for us," he told correspondent Will Reeve. "We imagined this thing being a fairytale, and it was."
Spears has posted inside looks into the whimsical night and celebrity moments on her Instagram.
When asked about being a newlywed, Asghari said, "It hasn't hit me yet. The husband thing hasn't hit me yet."
The model-turned-actor also discussed his upcoming film "Hot Seat," set to release on July 1, in which he stars alongside Mel Gibson. Asghari said that Spears is very supportive of his career and has been an inspiration.
"Just being in a relationship with someone who has achieved so much — so many great things at such a young age — it kind of gives me an understanding and teaches me so much," he said.
"I want to be able to make my children, you know, my future children happy. And they'll be like, 'Oh, that's my dad. I wanna be like my dad,'" Asghari added.
December, 2022: When Spears deactivated her Instagram again, Asghari shared a supportive message
Asghari shared a message on Instagram about how social media can be "traumatizing."
"Sometimes it's good to take a break," Asghari wrote on his Instagram Stories Dec. 7. "She has her voice and is a free woman. I have respect for her privacy and I protect it at all times. Thank you to all of her protective fans."
He later addressed rumors that he was controlling in an interview with TMZ: "No man, I don't even control what we have for dinner!"
January 2023: Spears tweeted that fans "went too far" after they reportedly called the police to check up on her for deleting her Instagram account
According to TMZ, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department performed a wellness check at Britney Spears' home in Thousands Oaks, California, after fans requested one.
In a statement about the incident, the singer said her fans have nothing to worry about, saying the "prank phone calls" to the police went "a little too far."
March 2023: Asghari was spotted without his wedding band, but it was apparently for a film role
Asghari was photographed without his wedding band on in March while out in Los Angeles as Spears vacationed with a friend Cade Hudson.
Asghari's rep told People the couple were not having marital issues with Asghari's ring missing due to filming for an unspecified movie role.
May 15, 2023: A TMZ TV special claimed Spears' marriage was "on the rocks"
TMZ's "Britney Spears: The Price of Freedom," which aired on Fox, claimed Spears got "physical with Sam" more than once and that Asghari "doesn't stay at her home much these days."
Asghari called scrutiny of Spears after her conservatorship "disgusting" on an Instagram story ahead of its release, saying, "Don't believe what you read online."
June 9, 2023: Asghari celebrated his "better half" on their one-year wedding anniversary
In an Instagram story, Asghari shared a photo of Spears' hand over his own with the written message, "Happy 1 year to me & my better half."
Additionally, he shared a video of the two prepping for their wedding day writing, "One year married to the woman of my dreams. Happy anniversary my Love."
June 22, 2023: The last time Spears posts photos with Asghari on her Instagram feed
Spears posted two happy, smiling photos with Asghari back-to-back in June shortly after posting a video of themselves on a getaway. The photos were presumably taken
Since then, her timeline has been full of throwbacks, quotes, and many videos of Spears dancing.
July 25, 2023: Spears shared on Instagram that she thought she was pregnant again, but it was probably just the sun
"I will be honest I woke up this morning and thought I was pregnant because I'm so nauseous but I think it's the sun," Spears wrote in an Instagram post. "I ran errands all day yesterday."
Spears' post accompanied a photo of a book titled "The Transformational Power of Fasting" by Stephen Harrod Buhner.
The singer added: "I hate feeling nauseous and sick so if you guys feel the same way read this book … take someone's hand and just meditate and if you have trust issues like I do … don't really trust anybody."
July 28, 2023: Spears and Asghari separate
According to divorce filings reviewed by Insider, Asghari dates their separation as July 28, 2023.
August 16, 2023: Asghari files for divorce
Asghari filed for divorce in Los Angeles County, according to documents reviewed by Insider, citing "irreconcilable differences." TMZ first broke the news, with multiple sources later confirming the separation to People.
Asghari is seeking spousal support and attorneys' fees.
According to the filing, Asghari is currently living in Beverly Hills while Spears continues to live in her Thousand Oaks' home.
August 21, 2023: Spears breaks her silence on her split
Spears shared a video of herself dancing on Instagram with a long message, explaining that she "couldn't take the pain anymore."
Spears added: "I've been playing it strong for way too long and my Instagram may seem perfect but it's far from reality and I think we all know that !!! I would love to show my emotions and tears on how I really feel but some reason I've always had to hide my weaknesses !!!"
The singer ended the post by telling fans she's "doing pretty damn good" and being as strong as she can.
October 24, 2023: Spears briefly mentions Asghari in her memoir and says she 'was devastated' after her miscarriage
Spears' tell-all memoir, "The Woman in Me," contains 10 brief mentions of Asghari.
Referring to her ex by his full name, Hesam, the singer shared that she knew she wanted him in her life immediately when meeting on the set of "Slumber Party."
"We couldn't keep our hands off each other. He called me his lioness," Spears wrote.
The singer recalled how Asghari comforted her years after tabloids ridiculed her for shaving her head because the ordeal still pained her. She also shared how she and Ashgari always prayed together and how she looked up to him.
"He's such an inspiration and I'm grateful," Spears wrote. "The timing of the end of the conservatorship was perfect for our relationship; we were able to establish a new life together, without limitations, and get married. Our wedding was a beautiful celebration of how much we'd been through together and how deeply we wished for each other's happiness."
After her miscarriage, Spears wrote she "was devastated to have lost the baby."
"I used music to help me gain insight and perspective. Every song I sing or dance to lets me tell a different story and gives me a new way to escape," Spears added, offering an explanation for why she posts so many videos of herself dancing on social media.
In the book, Spears never disparages Asghari, referring to him as "a gift from God."