Inside Britney Spears' Relationship With Sam Asghari
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari met all the way back in 2016 when the fitness pro was cast in one of the singer's music videos. Despite a somewhat cheesy introduction, during which Asghari attempted to make a joke that appeared to fall flat, the pair ended up exchanging numbers and moving quickly toward a relationship. Fast-forward several years later to April 2022, and the two have announced that not only are they engaged; they are expecting their first child together.
Spears has been through a lot throughout the last five years, and Asghari has been by her side for all of it. From verbalizing his support for Spears as she took care of her mental health to having her back in the fight toward lifting her conservatorship, Asghari has proven to be one of Spears' strongest supporters and a rock for her to lean on. In turn, she shows him love and support throughout their journey.
Here is a look at the relationship that has blossomed between Spears and Asghari.
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari met in 2016
While speaking to Men's Health in 2018, Sam Asghari opened up about how he and Britney Spears met. It turns out that the two almost didn't connect at all. In October 2016, Asghari missed a phone call in the middle of the night. On the other end was his agent, who urgently told him that he had received an incredible opportunity to be cast in a music video starring Spears. As the agent told him, "We need an answer. We need you tomorrow."
As Asghari indicated, even the fact that the call came so late in the game is incredible, as the cast for music videos is often set weeks ahead of time. But in a couple of days, he found himself on the set of the video, being introduced to the woman he would soon fall in love with. Asghari recalled, "She said, 'Hi, I'm Britney,' and I said, 'I'm sorry. What's your name again?' I tried to be funny. I don't think anybody got it."
Luckily, no one held the joke against him, and he and Spears shared their phone numbers before leaving for the day. One thing turned into another, and they eventually went Instagram official in 2017.
Sam Asghari stuck by Britney Spears when she sought help
In 2019, TMZ revealed that Britney Spears had checked herself into a mental health facility. Her father, Jamie Spears, was in the throes of ill health at the time, having undergone two invasive surgeries to attend to problems with his colon and intestines. The pressure of worrying about her dad negatively impacted Britney, who checked into the facility to get help she felt she needed. Spears had previously paused her Las Vegas residency to attend to her father's health.
Sam Asghari was one of the first people to voice his support for his girlfriend, writing on Instagram that he was proud of her for knowing what she needed to do at the time. He wrote on the social media platform, "It isn't weakness, It's a sign of absolute strength, people should only be inspired by this, at least I am."
A source close to the couple told Us Weekly that Asghari was doing everything right to help keep Britney feeling safe and grounded. As the source put it, Asghari was "nothing but supportive through everything." Things began to get tough for Britney when she had to face the possibility of losing her dad as he fought his own health battles.
Sam Asghari has always been one of Britney Spears' strongest supporters
Sam Asghari's support of girlfriend Britney Spears hasn't been limited to flashpoints; he's proven time and time again that he is invested in his girlfriend and the relationship they are building together. Asghari has always been one of Spears' most outspoken supporters. In February 2021, amid the release of the potentially damaging documentary "Framing Britney Spears," Asghari was clear to PEOPLE that he prioritized Spears' wellbeing, particularly as the unauthorized documentary was being watched by others.
As Asghari put it, "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 was quick to acknowledge Spears' passionate fanbase, noting that he is profoundly grateful to those who have her best interest at heart. Asghari added, "...I am looking forward to a normal, amazing future together."
Spears wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post (via the Los Angeles Times), "I didn't watch the documentary but from what I did see of it I was embarrassed by the light they put me in ... I cried for two weeks and well .... I still cry sometimes !!!!" Asghari's support must have meant so much to her.
Sam Asghari was a fan of #FreeBritney
Britney Spears was living under a conservatorship for thirteen years, until she was released from it in November 2021 (per NPR). Many of Spears' fans had strong feelings about the conservatorship, which limited much of what the pop star could do or say, even down to making decisions about voting or having more children. The fans built a movement they dubbed #FreeBritney, using their platform to argue in favor of the pop star's release from the conservatorship.
Sam Asghari was clear over the years that he was a supporter of #FreeBritney. In September 2021, he appeared to directly comment on the movement following the release of the Netflix documentary "Britney vs. Spears." As Cosmopolitan reported, Asghari took to the official Netflix announcement of the documentary to let his feelings be heard, writing on Instagram, "I hope the profit from these docs go toward fighting against injustice #freebritney."
That wasn't the only public step he took toward making sure his views were seen. After Lady Gaga's manager Bobby Campbell wrote a lengthy comment questioning the motives of those behind the film, Asghari commented with a "100" emoji. Glamour noted that Campbell's own statement concluded with a powerful point that Asghari appeared to co-sign: "Even if it is in support of Freeing Britney, this appears that it could be exploitative."
Britney Spears has been open about wanting children with Sam Asghari
In September 2021, Britney Spears was in the middle of a legal battle meant to bring her conservatorship to an end when she opened up about some of the more troubling — and surprising — aspects of the situation. At one point, Spears testified that she wasn't even allowed to make her own reproductive choices, telling the court about an IUD inserted into her body that she did not consent to.
Per Variety, Spears poignantly laid out the situation for the court and for the world at large, saying, "I want to be able to get married and have a baby. I was told right now in the conservatorship, I'm not able to get married or have a baby." She went on to clarify that it was her strong wish to have the IUD removed, but that the group of people who were around her wouldn't allow it.
That wasn't the only limitation put on Spears by the conservatorship, which her father controlled. Additionally, Spears added that she couldn't even ride in her boyfriend's car with him. During her testimony, she put her true feelings out in the open, admitting, "I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive."
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari got engaged after five years together
As Britney Spears was in court in September 2021 to testify against her conservatorship and the group of people who controlled her life through it, she and Sam Asghari had happy news to celebrate. After five years of dating, Asghari asked Spears to marry him — and of course she said yes. Asghari's manager Brandon Cohen confirmed the news to PEOPLE, releasing a statement that referenced the ongoing support that the pair had received from their fans. Cohen said, in part, "The couple made their long-standing relationship official today and are deeply touched by the support, dedication and love expressed to them."
A friend of the couple also spoke to the publication about the news, emphasizing that Asghari was just as excited as Spears about moving forward in their relationship. The friend said that the two had made a deliberate choice to keep a lot of their relationship out of the public eye owing to anxiety and fear, but now they were ready to be more open. The source added that they were both fully on the same page, explaining, "He's ready for marriage and kids with Britney and is serious about the relationship. She wants to take that next step and have that full life with him."
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari like to work out together
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari are the type of couple who seem like they enjoy doing a lot together, and that includes one of Asghari's passions: working out. Asghari told Men's Health that the process is entirely collaborative: he plans out the exercises, and Spears directs the videos and calls the shots. As he put it, the process of producing the content is really the best part. He said, "It's a very fun thing, and I look back at them and smile."
The pair are able to shoot their videos at home in Spears' gym, and the entire experience is pretty quick, usually running 20 or 30 minutes. Asghari shared that they try to put in a joint workout a couple times a week, which helps them stay positive and healthy despite what life throws at them. Spears also opened up about their videos together, revealing that Asghari wants everything to be very precise. As she told the Associated Press, this could mean up to 40 takes, but that's what it has to be sometimes (via Men's Health).
The singer clearly loves to move, from performing her infamous Instagram dances, to punching it out with her trainer, to riding bikes on the beach. Asghari told E! News, "We run, we do a lot of yoga, we really challenge ourselves to do different types of exercises. A lot of the yoga moves that she does I just can't do. She is a natural born athlete and she pushes herself, combining dancing along with various workouts."
Sam Asghari says Britney Spears is his biggest source of inspiration
Both Britney Spears and Sam Asghari have demanding careers, and they both have been open about valuing hard work. Asghari told Men's Health that Spears is a source of inspiration for him. As he put it, "She motivates me more than anyone. 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."
Asghari is also inspired by who Spears is as a person. As he wrote on Instagram a day before Spears turned 40 in 2021, his girlfriend has been an invaluable, strong companion. He said, "I call you Lioness because I admire your relentless strength, I'm inspired by your beautiful heart, I celebrate your smile that lights up my world."
The two are quick to lift each other up publicly, and not just for birthdays. Spears shared an adorable video of herself dancing with Asghari, telling him him in the Instagram caption, "Thank you baby for always reminding me what life is about ... Joy, laughter, and living ... My experience was a woman's dream." Her dance partner commented, "My life is a man's dream."
Sam Asghari is an outspoken critic of Britney Spears' dad
If there is one person in Britney Spears' life that Sam Asghari doesn't seem to be a big fan of, it's her father, Jamie Spears. Jamie was notoriously the person who kept a tight leash on Britney throughout the 13 years of her conservatorship, and Asghari certainly doesn't appear to believe that Jamie should have felt justified in doing so. Harpers Bazaar shared that in February 2021, Asghari took to his Instagram Stories to outright state as much, writing, "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.'"
Asghari added that he had no plans to offer further details to back up his claims because he wanted to continue to keep personal things private, but as he put it at the end of his Story, "I didn't come to this country to not be able to express my opinion and freedom."
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari announced they are having a baby in 2022
In April 2022, Britney Spears was granted one of her wishes: she and Sam Asghari announced that they are expecting their first baby together. Spears made the announcement on Instagram in a lengthy caption in which the star said she initially believed she was gaining weight because of a food baby, but a pregnancy test quickly revealed otherwise.
Spears also shared quite a few personal details in the post, explaining that she didn't plan to go out much while pregnant because she didn't want to give photographers the opportunity to take photos of her, and diving into the perinatal depression she experienced with her two previous pregnancies. As she put it, "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 was glad to express herself freely to her fans.
This will be Asghari's first child and Spears' third. Her sons, Sean and Jayden, were born in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari are enjoying a fresh start
In October 2021, Britney Spears and Sam Asghari celebrated the fact that Spears' conservatorship had finally come to an end. An insider told E! News that the pair were excited to have the opportunity to reboot their relationship and their lives and begin living the way so many people do: on their own terms. The Asghari source told the publication that the two have a lot of plans, including purchasing a home together closer to Los Angeles. They added, "She wants a new life with Sam and wants to make many changes. She is excited to move on and close that chapter of her life."
The source revealed that the pair's plans didn't end there, saying of Spears, "This is the happiest she has been in a very long time." Per the insider, the two are hoping to continue to travel and explore the world together. While Spears reportedly has no plans to perform anytime soon, she definitely is looking at all the other ways life can be lived. As the source put it, "Britney feels she has more exciting options and opportunities, and her life is turning around for the better" (via E! News).
The couple might be secretly married
In 2022, fans of Britney Spears and Sam Asghari noticed something curious: the singer and her boyfriend of several years had taken to calling one another husband and wife on Instagram. Since there had been no official announcement that the two were married, people weren't sure what to think. Spears has been especially quick to call Asghari her spouse on social media, writing on Instagram in April 2022, "And although I love my husband I will be honest and say I get annoyed all the time 😂😂 !!!"
But Spears isn't the only one using a very specific term to describe the person she loves. In addition to calling her his wife in a 2021 birthday post, Asghari wished her a happy Valentine's Day in 2022 while reminding his Instagram followers of the old adage, "Happy wife, happy life."
Despite those affectionate terms, it appears the two have yet to actually tie the knot. Spears is just as happy to call Asghari her fiance, as she did in March 2022.