The National
A few years ago, not many people had heard of Sam Asghari, but this week the Iranian fitness trainer is making headlines across the globe after marrying pop princess Britney Spears.
The couple wed in an intimate ceremony in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 9 hours after Spears's ex-husband Jason Alexander attempted to crash the wedding site.
It took place at Spears's 12,464-square-foot Thousand Oaks, California home.
The Toxic singer wore a custom Versace gown and wed in front of celebrity friends such as Madonna, Donatella Versace, Paris Hilton and Drew Barrymore.
Who is Sam Asghari?
The personal trainer, who was born in Tehran, Iran, seems to have been a stable force in her life since they met in 2016.
Before her conservatorship ended in November, he said he was "looking forward" to a "normal, amazing future" with Spears, 40.
From standing by the Toxic singer's side as her conservatorship was dissolved, to his childhood in Tehran and Hollywood jobs, here, we tell you everything you need to know about Asghari.
He was born in Tehran
Asghari, 28, was born in Tehran, but moved to the US to be with his father when he was aged 12.
However, his whole family did not move together. He explained to Forbes in a 2021 interview: "I actually left my family behind at the time because my family was still going through the US immigration process.
"I left three of my sisters behind, my mum behind. My dad was out here in America and I hadn’t seen him in about five years or so. It was definitely a culture shock, coming out here with a completely different language to speak."
He told Men's Health magazine in 2018: "I had to leave my friends and family who I was very close with, and I knew I was moving away and never coming back."
He moved to Los Angeles, California, where his father was working as a truck driver.
He could not speak English when he moved to the US
Of the "culture shock" of moving to the US, Asghari explained to Forbes: "I didn't speak a word of English and it was a weird age where I was finally so comfortable with my friends and [I had to] leave them behind to start a new life.
"So when I got out here, it was very different, but I always had a positive mindset. I always knew that I was coming to a country where opportunity was the equivalent to gold. I was brought up by my dad knowing and understanding that we were coming here for a better life."
He is keeping Iranian traditions alive in the US
In March 2021, Asghari shared a video of himself teaching Spears a Nowruz greeting.
In the video, he repeats the phrase "sale no mubarak", with the Oops! ...I Did It Again singer repeating it back to him, without perfecting the pronunciation each time.
In the end, he says, "Alright, just say 'Happy Persian New Year'" >>>
Best Wishes to Britney Asghari and Sam Spears!
Sam Asghari should help fund freedom fighters in Iran. The USA government should have a big tax on all Iranians to help train fighters to get rid of mullahs and revolutionary guards. They should have done the same with Afghan business owners here too.