Britney Spears and Sam Asghari’s Relationship Reportedly Changed After Conservatorship Ended

The relationship between Britney Spears and Sam Asghari reportedly changed following the end of her conservatorship.

The two first met on the set of her "Slumber Party" music video in 2016. Sam popped the question in September 2021, two months before she was freed from her controversial 13-year conservatorship in November 2021. The two later tied the knot in June 2022, but reports of trouble in their relationship started almost immediately. The actor filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences" on August 16, but listed the date of separation as July 28, 2023, hinting that the split did not come as a shock to the pop star.

It appears that most of the trouble might have started once Britney’s conservatorship ended, after she started to get a grip on her new “freedom” after being in a conservatorship since February 2008. One source told ET that the couple’s relationship changed after the conservatorship ended.

"Britney could be argumentative at times, but also felt like Sam didn't let her do a lot of things without him," a source said. "Before Britney's conservatorship ended, Sam was very supportive. Once it ended, Britney felt very free, but that eventually changed based on certain dynamics in her relationship with Sam."

"Britney felt like things shifted in her relationship with Sam once her conservatorship ended. Before it ended, Britney was more in a set routine, but once she was free, a lot changed,” another insider divulged.

"Britney wanted to embrace her freedom and felt like Sam couldn't necessarily handle that," they added. "Britney will never let another person control her, and she felt like that was starting to happen again."

In 2021, months before she was freed from her conservatorship, another source told ET that Sam wanted Britney to “finally be free of the conservatorship,” adding that he was "one of the few people who doesn't need a chaperone to be around her."

"He has never been the type to speak out publicly in any negative way. Sam has always played ball and followed Jamie's lead, but he's finally hit a breaking point," the source said at the time. "It seems like the documentary and the recent support coming from Britney's fans has given him the strength he needed to finally speak out."

"Sam has been faithful, loyal, and by Britney's side through many difficult ups and downs," they added. "He feels like Jamie is far too controlling and adds a layer of trouble to their relationship. In Sam's eyes, there are far too many restrictions."

Less than a week after her conservatorship ended, Sam told ET that they were “enjoying” life at the Los Angeles premiere of “House of Gucci.” He said, “She’s doing great. I’m great. This is the happiest time of our lives.”

Following news of the divorce on August 16, another source told ET that "Britney and Sam have had ups and downs throughout their relationship. They have a lot of love for each other, but they also argue a lot over fundamental issues. Sometimes they feel as though each other's needs aren't being completely met. Recently, things took a bad turn and their arguments became more serious and real."

Another insider said that the former couple "have had issues on and off as a couple since before they were married,” adding, "Their issues tend to get worse when they are away from each other and spending time apart. Britney has the tendency to feel like she isn't being prioritized by Sam at times. Their arguments have led them to become unhappy at times in their relationship. They are also on different pages when it comes to their future as a couple, which has been a point of contention."

"Sam feels like he has gone above and beyond to support Britney and be there for her and it is never enough,” the insider added.

The day after the divorce, Sam took to his Instagram Stories to address the divorce directly. “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 and I wish her the best always. Sh*t happens. Asking for privacy seems [ridiculous] so I will just ask for everyone including media to be kind and thoughtful.”