Hesam "Sam" Asghari (Persian: حسام اصغری; born March 3, 1994) is an American model, actor, and fitness trainer. He has appeared on the television shows Black Monday, Hacks, and The Family Business, as well as in several music videos. Since 2020, Asghari has been the owner of the eponymous Asghari Fitness, a website that offers personalized training programs.

Sam Asghari
Born
Hesam Asghari

(1994-03-03) March 3, 1994 (age 30)
Tehran, Iran
CitizenshipUnited States • Iran
Alma materMoorpark College
Occupations
  • Model
  • actor
  • fitness trainer
Years active2018–present
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Spouse
(m. 2022; sep. 2023)

After getting engaged in late 2021, he married singer Britney Spears in June 2022. In August 2023, he filed for divorce from Spears, citing irreconcilable differences.

Early life and education

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Hesam Asghari was born on March 3, 1994, in Tehran, Iran, to Mike and Fatima Asghari.[2][3] The youngest of four children, he has three sisters, Maddy, Ellie, and Faye.[2] He started gymnastics at four years old, moving to the United States nine years later at age 13 when he knew no English.[1][4] Asghari shortened his given name Hesam to Sam as it was considered easier to pronounce.[5] In high school, he took theater classes, acting in the plays Hamlet and Macbeth, and played football.[6][7] After high school, he attended Los Angeles Pierce College, in Woodland Hills, California. He eventually dropped out but continued to work his job at Best Buy.[1]

Career

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At age 21, Asghari was introduced to modeling by his sister Faye. His first runway show was in Palm Springs, California for designer Michael Costello.[8] Asghari has modeled for multiple magazines, including having spreads in Vulkan,[9] Men's Health,[10] Iron Man,[1] GQ,[7] and others. In 2019, he received a Daytime Beauty Award at the 2nd annual Daytime Beauty Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Fitness.[11]

In 2018, Asghari appeared in his film debut in the parody Star Trek spoof Unbelievable!!!!! headed by Snoop Dogg.[12] Asghari's role was a cameo.[13] In 2021, he appeared in Black Monday season 3 for a multi-episode arc, in which he played Giancarlo, "a super sexy model who works for Pfaffashions."[14] Later the same year, he appeared on the television show Hacks for an episode as a "sexy Santa"; he stated, "Working with Jean Smart — I'm flattered to work with such amazing talents that have been around the craft for such a long time. She was so professional. We had a great time."[6] Producer Lucia Aniello praised Asghari for the role, stating, "He was really funny. He improvised a ton. He looked like Sexy Santa. He just checked all the boxes and he was really so sweet and funny. We just loved him."[15] Also in 2021, he auditioned for the part of Carrie Bradshaw's physical therapist Travis on the And Just Like That... episode "Tragically Hip", but was not selected for the role.[16][17]

In October 2021, Asghari joined the action thriller film Hot Seat as a co-star alongside Mel Gibson and Kevin Dillon.[18] People noted it would be Asghari's first major film role.[19] Director James Cullen Bressack told TooFab Asghari is "one of the nicest people, he's such a kind human being and he's a very talented actor. I think people are gonna like his role in this. He knows how to do some really cool action shots and I think he shows it off in the movie so it's pretty exciting."[20] Asghari portrayed SWAT Sergeant Tobias, a role for which he had been physically training.[21]

Asghari has said he has avoided roles that play into Middle Eastern stereotypes, such as terrorist characters.[22] He has declined appearances on two reality television shows: Celebrity Big Brother and the Masked Singer.[7] However, Asghari has been cast in the third series of The Traitors, due for broadcast in early 2025.[23]

Personal life

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Asghari became an American citizen in 2012.[7]

During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike Asghari picketed along with other union members. He said, "We're here to raise awareness on my brothers and sisters working hard and striking for my future. And I hope everything gets resolved very fast so we can all go back to what we love doing the most, which is making art and inspiring people."[24]

Relationships

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Asghari formerly dated American actress and singer Mayra Verónica, who is 14 years his senior, after appearing in the music video accompanying her song "No Boyfriend, No Problem".[25]

Singers Mayra Verónica (left, pictured in 2008) and Britney Spears (right, pictured in 2012), Asghari's former girlfriend and wife, respectively.

Asghari first met Britney Spears, who is 13 years his senior, when the original actor did not make it on time to appear in her 2016 music video for "Slumber Party" featuring Tinashe.[26] The two got engaged in September 2021. Before marrying, Asghari and Spears signed a prenuptial agreement to protect Spears' fortune, estimated at $60 million as of June 2022.[27]

On April 11, 2022, Spears announced that she was pregnant with her third child and Asghari's first, but she suffered a miscarriage a month later.[28][29] Asghari and Spears married June 9, 2022, at Spears' California home.[30][31] After the wedding, they moved to a new $11.8 million mansion in Calabasas, which Spears purchased.[32] In July 2023, Asghari and Spears separated, and Asghari filed for divorce in August, citing irreconcilable differences.[33][34] On May 1, 2024, Spears and Asghari reached a divorce settlement.[35] The following day, the judge signed off on the settlement, and the couple will be divorced on December 2, 2024.[36]

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Unbelievable!!!!! Himself Cameo
2019 Can You Keep A Secret? Omar
2022 Hot Seat Sergeant Tobias support role
2024 Jackpot Senior Agent Ash support role
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2019 NCIS Security Guard Russell Episode: "The North Pole"
2020 The Family Business Armeen Episode: "Heat It Up!"
2021 Hacks Sexy Santa Episode: "There is no Line"
Black Monday Giancarlo 3 episodes
When We Grow Up Eli
2022 PBC Christian 3 episodes
Dollface Tyler Episode: "Right Hand Woman"
2023 Special Ops: Lioness Kamal Episodes: "Bruise Like a Fist" and "The Choice of Failure"
Music videos
Year Song Artist
2014 "No Boyfriend, No Problem" Mayra Verónica with Sak Noel, DJ Kuba & Neitan
2016 "Work from Home" Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla Sign
"Slumber Party" Britney Spears feat. Tinashe

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Carlson, Mike (August 10, 2017). "Fitness Is His Foundation". Iron Man. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Reslen, Eileen (July 17, 2018). "Sam Asghari On His Fitness Transformation, Acting Career, And Girlfriend Britney Spears". Men's Health. Archived from the original on February 27, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  3. ^ Petit, Stephanie; Cho, Diane J.; Gibson, Kelsey (April 12, 2022). "Britney Spears and Sam Asghari's Relationship Timeline". People. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022. Asghari also gushed about his special cake from Spears that read "Happy Birthday Hesam." "She calls me by my real name," he wrote on Instagram.
  4. ^ Conway, Jeff (March 6, 2021). "Sam Asghari Shares His Truth About Hollywood, Fitness And Living The American Dream". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "¿Quién es Sam Asghari? Conoce a la pareja de Britney Spears y padre de su futuro bebé" [Who is Sam Asghari? Meet Britney Spears' partner and father of her future baby]. Europa FM (in Spanish). April 12, 2022. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Arthur, Kate (May 23, 2021). "Sam Asghari on Wanting to Be the Next Tom Cruise, Not Playing Terrorists and Those Pro-Vaccine Instagram Posts". Variety. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Meltzer, Marisa (June 1, 2022). "The Easy Charm of Sam Asghari". GQ. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  8. ^ Sanchez, Chelsey; Park, Sabrina (September 16, 2021). "Everything You Need to Know About Britney Spears's Fiancé, Sam Asghari". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  9. ^ Bonnet, Alexandra. "Sam Asghari: Breaking Down Walls and Making a Name For Himself In the Movie Industry". Vulkan. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  10. ^ Aminosharei, Nojan (September 13, 2021). "You Don't Really Know Sam Asghari". Men's Health. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "Daytime Beauty Awards To Honor Sam Asghari With Outstanding Achievement In Fitness". LATF. August 14, 2019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  12. ^ Prickett, Macon (April 17, 2018). "VIDEO: Check Out the Trailer for Sci-Fi Adventure Spoof UNBELIEVABLE Starring Snoop Dog". Broadway World. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  13. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (June 22, 2020). "Indie Rights Picks Up 'Star Trek' Parody Film 'Unbelievable!!!!!' Featuring Former Cast Members Plus Snoop Dogg". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (May 4, 2021). "'Black Monday': Sam Asghari Joins Season 3 Of Don Cheadle's Showtime Series As Recurring". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  15. ^ Palmieri, Lea (May 13, 2021). "'Hacks' Creators on That Selena Gomez Song, Sexy Santa, and "Scene-Stealer" Jean Smart". Decider. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  16. ^ "Sam Asghari reveals he auditioned for And Just Like That... role". Yahoo. December 31, 2021. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  17. ^ Weaver, Nicole (December 30, 2021). "'And Just Like That...': Britney Spears' Fiancé, Sam Asghari Auditioned for This Role, Is It Carrie's Love Interest?". Cheat Sheet. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  18. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 26, 2021). "Kevin Dillon And Sam Asghari To Co-Star With Mel Gibson In Action Thriller 'Hot Seat'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  19. ^ Bjornson, Greta (October 27, 2021). "Britney Spears' Fiancé Sam Asghari to Star Alongside Mel Gibson in Action Thriller Hot Seat". People. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  20. ^ "Sam Asghari is a "Fantastic" Actor Says Hot Seat Director James Cullen Bressack (Exclusive)". TooFab. November 12, 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  21. ^ Weinberg, Lindsay (October 26, 2021). "This is Sam Asghari's Action-Packed Role In Randall Emmett's Thriller Movie With Mel Gibson". E Online. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  22. ^ Weiss, Norman (May 24, 2021). "Sam Asghari is becoming known for more than being "Britney Spears' boyfriend" with roles on Hacks and Black Monday". Prime Timer. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  23. ^ Grebenyuk, Kaitlin Simpson, Yana (June 5, 2024). "The Traitors Season 3 Cast Announced: Meet the Competitors". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Baldwin, Kristen (September 1, 2023). "Britney Spears' estranged husband Sam Asghari says he finally has something in common with Leonardo DiCaprio". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  25. ^ "Hot New Couple Alert! Singer Mayra Veronica Dating Music Video Co-Star". OK!. May 12, 2015. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  26. ^ Ernsberger, Parry (September 4, 2019). "Britney Spears & Sam Asghari's Relationship Started "Like A Totally Normal Couple"". Bustle. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  27. ^ Druney, Ellen (June 14, 2022). "Britney Spears And Sam Asghari Signed An "Iron-Clad" Prenup To Protect Her Multimillion-Dollar Estate Months After He Opened Up About Their "Fair And Square" Approach To Money". BuzzFeed News. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  28. ^ Puckett-Pope, Lauren (April 11, 2022). "Britney Spears Shares She's Pregnant With Her Third Child". Elle. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  29. ^ "Britney Spears Shares News of Miscarriage". Vanity Fair. May 15, 2022. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  30. ^ Jiménez, Jesus (September 12, 2021). "Britney Spears Announces Engagement to Longtime Boyfriend, Sam Asghari". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  31. ^ Meals, Chloe (June 10, 2022). "Britney Spears and Sam Asghari are married". CNN. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  32. ^ Perez, Andrea (June 16, 2022). "Britney Spears and Sam Asghari Debut Their $11 Million Dollar Mansion". Hola!. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  33. ^ "Sam Asghari files for divorce from Britney Spears after 14 months of marriage". BBC News. August 17, 2023. Archived from the original on August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  34. ^ "Britney Spears and Sam Asghari divorce filing shows the pair have been separated for weeks". Los Angeles Times. August 17, 2023. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  35. ^ "Britney Spears and Sam Asghari Reach Divorce Settlement". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  36. ^ "Britney Spears and Sam Asghari's Spousal Support Decision Revealed". E! Online. May 2, 2024. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
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