Sam Asghari is looking back at his marriage to Britney Spears with respect.

In a new cover interview with Playgirl, the actor, 31, made a rare comment about his ex-wife, 44, and the "respect" he still has for the time they spent together. The former couple got married in 2022 but split the following year.

According to People, Asghari cited an Iranian proverb saying not to speak ill of someone you've eaten with when he was asked about his past relationship with Spears. The metaphor encourages one to maintain a sense of loyalty and consideration for those with whom one has shared a close bond.

"And whatever follows is irrelevant," he said. "So, I always want to respect that. I'm always going to stick to that, and that's the number one thing for me."

Despite his split from the "Baby One More Time" singer, Asghari still speaks "warmly" of his ex, Playgirl noted, and is happy for the years they were together.

"The best thing you can do is celebrate the past, appreciate the past, and not dwell on the fact that it's over. Be happy it ever even happened."

Asghari and Spears tied the knot in June 2022, six years after they were first linked romantically when they met on the set of her "Slumber Party" music video. Asghari filed for divorce just over a year later, and the process was finalized in May 2024.

Asghari previously spoke on his life with the pop princess in August after she shared a post calling their marriage a "fake distraction" after being "cut off" from her two sons, Sean, 20, and Jayden, 19, whom she shares with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

"Our marriage was very real to me," Asghari said at the time. "It may have been short, but we were together for seven years. I was in love with her, will always have love for her, and wish her the best always."

Christa Cooper