Why Britney Spears’ Ex Sam Asghari Believes Their 'Cheesy' Marriage Hindered Acting Career

Actor Sam Asghari is reflecting on his short-lived marriage to pop star Britney Spears, admitting his career hasn't been the same ever since

The lovebirds tied the knot in 2022 after five years of dating, but called it quits amicably in December 2024.

Asghari has since moved on, but he can't seem to escape the shadow of the relationship, especially in his work as a Hollywood actor.

Although the Iranian native was already making a name for himself when he met Spears, Asghari admits she gave him the necessary push into the limelight.

"I can't sit here and lie and say, 'It wasn't good for me,'" he confessed in an interview. "When you're in such a public relationship, that gives you that platform. It sort of gave me that platform for who I am."

The former couple met in 2016 on the set of the "Slumber Party" music video before going Instagram official the following year. The Princess of Pop was still knee-deep in her conservatorship at the time.

Asghari recalled that although his romance with the "Toxic" singer gave him immediate visibility, he was already on the right trajectory for his career.

"I just started acting at that moment, so I was already doing stuff anyway," he added.

The 31-year-old might have achieved overnight fame thanks to his romance with Spears. However, the attention also came with its downside.

Speaking to Page Six, Asghari confessed, "Did it make me, you know, have to work harder to prove myself? Absolutely."

The "Hacks" star noted he was working as a personal trainer and waiter when things with the singer became public. When he would go for auditions, casting agents often had questions about his acting abilities, asking, "Do we really want to hire someone that's a cheesy trainer?"

Asghari continued, "Oh, and he's associated with a pop star, which is also cheesy as well. Or can we see him as a character?' There was that line as well."

Despite the discrimination, Asghari has managed to score some big-profile roles in Hollywood. His acting credits include "Black Monday," "And Just Like That," and "Hot Seat."

Since filing for divorce from the "Oops...I Did It Again" songstress, the fitness trainer has opened up about the not-so-rosy parts of being married to a global star.

Earlier this year, Asghari revealed the "weirdest part" of their union, admitting that Spears' conservatorship took him by surprise. It wasn't until five years into the relationship that the legal guardianship was terminated. Speaking about the unusual control over Spears, Asghari said:

"One day, I started learning about what the conservatorship is, and that's when I was like, 'Wait a minute. I thought I was in America. What do you mean someone over the age of 18 needs permission from their parents?' That was the most difficult and weird spiral thing that I've witnessed in my life."

However, the Asghari Fitness owner wasn't deterred by the abusive situation. Instead, he doubled down on being with Spears, providing her with emotional support during the difficult time.

"I think the best thing to do is to provide support in that moment, and that's what I did," he added.

The choreographer isn't the only one who has publicly spoken about the high-profile marriage that took place in Thousand Oaks, California.

Spears, in a now-deleted Instagram post, admitted her relationship with Asghari had its ups and downs. Alongside a video of them dancing, she confessed that "looking back is hard sometimes," Page Sixreports.

Reflecting on the pain of a third failed marriage, the Grammy winner described herself as a "complicated sensitive" who speaks about her past to avoid making the same mistakes.

Spears admitted she missed being vulnerable in love like she was in her younger days. "I love too much; it's embarrassing, and I will love you for life!!! That's a trait I want to try and keep, but it's not all peaches and cream," she shared.

It has been over a year since Sam Asghari and Britney Spears' divorce was finalized. While the pop star hasn't found much success with love, that isn't the case for her ex-husband.

He is now in a relationship with real estate agent Brooke Irvine and can't stop gushing about their love from the rooftops. In an April interview, as The Blast reported, he opened up about what is different this time around.

"It's about love. That's what it is," the 31-year-old actor declared. "It's not about the industry, it's not about Hollywood."

He continued, "It's about what really is the most important thing, and that's being present."