Sam Asghari recalls getting shocked upon “learning” about ex Britney Spears’ conservatorship battle when the former couple started dating initially.
Speaking on the Sibling Revelry podcast with Kate and Oliver Hudson on January 27, Asghari reflected on his disbelief over the situation.
“One day I started learning about what the conservatorship is and things like that,” he shared.
“And that’s when I was like, ‘Wait a minute.’ I thought, ‘I’m in America, what do you mean somebody doesn’t have their basic human [rights]? What do you mean someone over the age of 18 needs permission from their parents?’”
Asghari, who immigrated from Iran as a child, admitted that he was unfamiliar with the complexities of the American legal system at the time.
However, he wasn’t alone in his confusion, as many others were only beginning to understand Spears’ legal restrictions.
The pop star, now 43, was placed under a conservatorship by her father, Jamie Spears, in 2008. The arrangement remained in place for over a decade before being terminated by a judge in November 2021.
“It’s such a ridiculous thing in this country to have to deal with,” Asghari continued. “That was by far — I’m not going to say it was difficult because I don’t think anything is difficult — but it was the weirdest thing to deal with.”
The model and actor also touched on the challenges of navigating personal relationships in the entertainment industry, particularly when it comes to trust.
“Everything that happens and everybody that comes into your life that has taken advantage that damages you,” he noted. “Because those are the people who are closest to you.”
While many celebrities might fear scrutiny from fans or the media, Asghari argued that the real concerns often stem from those in their inner circle.
“[The fans] will never hurt you. Usually, [it’s] the people that are around you, the people you allow into your inner circle,” he explained. “You are vulnerable to them and they’ve taken advantage because they think you owe something to them — which is so ridiculous.”
Asghari and Spears first met on the set of her 2016 music video for Slumber Party and began dating shortly after. Reflecting on those early days, he recalled having to tread carefully when it came to discussing Spears’ legal situation, as he was just her boyfriend at the time.
His priority, he said, was to provide Spears with unwavering support.
