Sam Asghari has responded to Britney Spears's claim that their marriage "felt like a fake distraction".

Over the weekend, the popstar took to Instagram to reflect on some of the challenges she faced during her relationship with the model-actor, which lasted from June 2022 until May 2024.

In the candid message, Britney declared that her "secret to survival" during the union was "denial and a lot of tears".

"(It's) weird me and Sam were married but it almost felt like a fake distraction to help me deal with it," the 43-year-old wrote.

But in a statement issued to People on Monday, Sam insisted his marriage to Britney was "real".

"Our marriage was very real to me," he told the outlet. "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."

Britney shares sons Sean, 19, and Jayden, 18, with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

The Gimme More singer was estranged from her children following the end of her controversial conservatorship case, which lasted until November 2021.

However, Britney has indicated they are all on better terms in recent social media updates.

The Toxic hitmaker met Sam while shooting the music video for her 2016 song, Slumber Party.

And while the former couple split in July 2023, the 31-year-old has always maintained that he owes Britney a lot.

"I can't sit here and lie and say, 'It wasn't good for me.' When you're in such a public relationship... it sort of gave me that platform for who I am," he told Page Six Radio in June.