United States pop singer and global superstar Britney Spears’ third marriage to Iranian-American actor, Sam Asghari, has crashed after one year.

News of their separation became public after Asghari filed a divorce petition over “irreconcilable differences” on Wednesday at the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Rumors of their marital struggles were earlier reported in U.S. tabloids this year and both couples had been seen without their wedding rings in public.

Asghari in the divorce petition asked that spousal support and attorneys’ fees be paid by Spears.

Spears, 41, and Asghari, 29, got married in a small star-studded ceremony at the superstar’s home in Thousand Oaks, California, in June 2022, after their engagement in September 2021.

The musician had been previously married and divorced to Jason Alexander and later to rapper Kevin Federline her second husband, who retains sole custody of their two children, Jayden James and Sean Preston.

Announcing their separation, Asghari wrote on Instagram: “After 6 years of love and commitment to each other my wife and I have decided to end our journey together.

“We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other and I wish her the best always.

“Shit happens.

“Asking for privacy seems rediculous [sic] so I will just ask for everyone including media to be kind and thoughtful.”

Spears is yet to make any comment concerning the divorce. On her official Instagram page on Wednesday night, she wrote, “buying a horse soon”.

The divorce comes as Spears, referred to as the “Princess of Pop”, prepares to publish her memoir – The Woman in Me – this October.