Britney Spears Addressed Why She & Sam Asghari Are Divorcing

Britney Spears has addressed her separation from husband Sam Asghari after over a year of marriage and six years of dating. TMZ was the first to report their split before sources confirmed it to People. The outlet also later reported that Asghari filed for divorce from Spears on Aug. 16. Spears’ response came via an Instagram on Aug. 19, after Asghari commented on the reports in an Instagram story on Aug. 17.

“As everyone knows, Hesam and I are no longer together …” Spears wrote, alongside her latest dance video. “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 [sic] honestly nobody’s business !!! But, I couldn’t take the pain anymore honestly !!!”

The pop star went on to let her supporters know she appreciates them. “In some sort of telepathic way I have been receiving so many messages that melt my heart from friends and I thank you !!!” she wrote. Noting she’s “been playing it strong for way too long,” she added that she’ll be “as strong as [she] can” and is “actually doing pretty damn good.”

For his part, Asghari explained that they had “decided to end [their] journey” following “6 years of love and commitment.” “We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other and I wish her the best always,” he added. “Sh*t happens. Asking for privacy seems ridiculous so I will just ask for everyone including media to be kind and thoughtful.”

The model’s rep previously dismissed rumors of marital issues in March, stating that Asghari was seen not wearing his wedding ring because he was filming a movie. Asghari most recently appeared on her Instagram in June.

The two first met in 2016 when Asghari appeared as the Grammy winner’s love interest in her “Slumber Party” music video. They started dating soon after and became Instagram official on New Year’s Day. In a 2017 radio interview, Spears revealed that she made the first move. “We were sitting there and we were waiting together for 20 minutes at a time, so we were basically forced to talk to each other,” she said. “I found his number in my bag. I was like, ‘He is really cute, this guy is really cute.’ So I called him and ever since then, he is just a really fun, funny person.”

Spears got engaged to Asghari just months before getting freed from her 13-year conservatorship in November 2021. Asghari was publicly supportive of the singer as she battled to remove her former conservator, father Jamie Spears, and terminate the conservatorship in a years-long court battle, even sporting a #FreeBritney T-shirt before her bombshell June 2021 court hearing.

They tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at Spears’ Los Angeles home in June 2022, with a guest list that included Madonna, Paris Hilton, Selena Gomez, Drew Barrymore, and Donatella Versace. “The ceremony was a dream and the party was even better,” she wrote on Instagram after the big day. “So many incredible people came to our wedding and I’m still in shock !!! @SamAsghari I LOVE YOU !!!”