Britney Spears' husband Sam Asghari files for divorce: 'I wish her the best always'
Britney Spears and husband Sam Asghari have gone their separate ways.
Spears and Asghari, who tied the knot in June 2022, separated nearly three weeks ago, and Asghari is seeking spousal support and attorneys' fees in their divorce, according to his divorce filing obtained by The Associated Press.
TMZ was the first to report the news.
Asghari, 29, filed his petition to dissolve his 14-month-old marriage to the 41-year-old pop superstar in Los Angeles County court late Wednesday. Like the vast majority of those who file for divorce in California, he cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
USA TODAY has reached out to Spears' and Asghari's representatives for comment.
Asghari's filing lists the couple's separation date as July 28, though reports of the split did not emerge until Wednesday. It says he will try to get financial support from her, while blocking her from getting any from him. And it seeks to have her pay for his divorce lawyers.
The filing says the value of Spears' and Asghari's assets, and those they own jointly, has yet to be determined.
Spears and Asghari had no children together. Spears said she and Asghari lost a baby early in her pregnancy in May 2022.
What have Britney Spears and Sam Asghari said about their split?
Asghari addressed the couple's breakup on his Instagram stories Thursday, asking fans and the media to be "kind and thoughtful."
"After six years of love and commitment to each other, my wife and I have decided to end our journey together," Asghari wrote. "We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other, and I wish her the best always."
The same day Asghari filed for divorce, Spears shared a photo of herself riding horseback on a beach on Instagram, with no mention of the couple's split. Spears later spoke out about the breakup in an Instagram post Saturday.
"As everyone knows, Hesam and I are no longer together," Spears wrote alongside a video of herself dancing in a black crop top and neon green bikini bottoms. "Six years is a long time to be with someone, so I’m a little shocked but … I’m not here to explain why because it's honestly nobody’s business !!!"
"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," Spears added. "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 !!!"
Did Britney Spears and Sam Asghari have a prenup?
Soon after her engagement, Spears was in the process of putting together a prenuptial agreement with Asghari, according to a September 2021 court filing. The filing cited the prenup process's involvement with the conservator of her money, previously Spears' father Jamie, as further justification for suspending Jamie's role over his daughter's finances.
Following media speculation that Asghari is now challenging the couple's prenuptial agreement and "threatening to exploit his ex-wife" with the release of personal information, the model-actor's representative Brandon Cohen said Asghari has no ill will toward Spears.
"All these claims are false, as no negative intention has ever been directed towards (Spears) and never will be," Cohen said in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday. "Sam has always and will always support her.
When did Britney Spears and Sam Asghari get married?
The pop star and personal trainer said "I do" in front of about 100 people and a few family members last June at Spears' home in Thousand Oaks, California, TMZ reported at the time. Famous guests included Paris Hilton, Madonna, Selena Gomez and Drew Barrymore, photos from the event revealed.
Asghari's representative Brandon Cohen later confirmed the couple's nuptials to USA TODAY. "I am very ecstatic this day has come, and they are married," Cohen said. "I know he wanted this for so long. He is so caring and supportive every step of the way."
Shortly after the wedding, Spears shared her reflection on "the most spectacular day" on Instagram. "Wow !!! Holy holy crap !!! WE DID IT !!! WE GOT MARRIED," she wrote at the time. "I was so nervous all morning but then at 2:00 pm it really hit me … WE'RE GETTING MARRIED... I had a panic attack and then got it together."
In another post, Spears shared more photos from her wedding, including shots of her long veil, a horse-drawn carriage and her smooching Asghari on a balcony. She also posted a montage of the big day, writing, "Fairytales are real."
How did Britney Spears and Sam Asghari meet?
The couple got engaged in September 2021, days after Spears' father Jamie filed a petition with a Los Angeles judge seeking to end her conservatorship, a legal arrangement that had given him control over the singer's estate since 2008. Legally, Spears could have gotten married, but under the conservatorship (which was terminated in November 2021 after 13 years), the wedding had to be approved as with other major life decisions.
Spears and Asghari, who met on the set of Spears' "Slumber Party" music video in 2016, dated for four years prior to getting married. The couple made their red-carpet debut in 2019 at the premiere of Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood."
Spears' marriage to Asghari was her third trip down the aisle, while their union marked Asghari's first marriage.
Spears married childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas in 2004 for 55 hours, before the couple quickly had their union annulled. That same year, Spears married her backup dancer Kevin Federline, with whom she shares two sons, Sean Preston, 17, and Jayden James, 16. Spears filed for divorce in 2006, which was granted the next year.
Britney Spears: Singer says in an Instagram video that she is 'shocked' about Sam Asghari filing for divorce
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Contributing: Laura Trujillo, USA TODAY; Andrew Dalton and Ryan Pearson, The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Britney Spears, Sam Asghari to divorce after 14 months of marriage
