What All Of Britney Spears' Exes Have Said About Her
After having her actions restricted for 14 years via her conservatorship, Britney Spears is now finally able to live her truth. Having wed her dashing beau Sam Asghari in 2022, she has reclaimed the selfhood that for so long was manipulated by her father, Jamie. And it helps that Asghari is totally smitten with Brit. "She motivates me more than anyone," he told Men's Health. "It's crazy how I can be humbled by a person like her. If I could be that humble when I'm that high in life, that would be the best thing."
But The Princess of Pop had to contend with a number of frogs before marrying her Prince Charming in a fairytale wedding. Throughout the years, the singer has been in numerous romances, both low-key and high-profile. Sadly, as with many women in the limelight, Spears' personal life has been at the center of much salacious gossip. As such, a number of her exes have been far too eager to spill the tea on what it's like to date a pop superstar, but the "Britney Stan" isn't lapping it up. With her veritable horde of devotees ready to clap back at loose-lipped exes, these guys should probably think twice before trashing Spears to the press. Her former lovers' 15 minutes of tattling were fleeting, but Spears still reigns supreme. It's Britney, snitch.
These folks have dished the good, the bad, and the downright ugly: This is what all of Britney Spears' exes have said about her.
Reg Jones claimed Britney lost her virginity to him
Reg Jones was Britney Spears' first boyfriend. The pair met in high school when Jones was 17 and Spears was 14. Speaking to The Mirror in 2000, Jones said he was madly in love with Spears. "She was my best friend as well as my girlfriend," he said. "Britney is a fantastic girl. She loved to laugh, she loved to have a good time, but she was also incredibly loyal and honest." When Spears first rose to prominence, she cultivated a persona of being devoutly Christian and virginal. Subsequently, Jones told the outlet that his relationship with Spears was entirely platonic.
However, speaking to the Daily Star in 2008, Jones did a 180 and claimed that Spears lost her virginity to him. "I'd often stay over at her house and we'd fool around like any young couple. Although there was a couple of years difference in our age, it didn't seem to matter," he said. "She was everything a boy could have wanted." Considering that Brit was a literal child at the time, this first relationship was more than a tad problematic.
In a handwritten note to Jones that went up for auction in 2021, Spears appears to admit that she had sex with her ex, as she castigates him for mistreating her, per Radar. "I don't trust you, especially after what you said last night... you're like a caring friend, but f***s me whenever you like," she wrote.
Robbie Carrico defended Britney Spears
"American Idol" Season 7 contestant Robbie Carrico dated Britney Spears circa 1999. His pop band, Boyz N Girlz United, toured with the songstress and the twosome seemed to hit it off, per People. Carrico accompanied Spears to the premiere of the film "Drive Me Crazy," starring her gal pal Melissa Joan Hart. After a fleeting dalliance, the pair split amicably, and Carrico has had nothing but kind words to say about his famous ex.
In a 2008 interview with MTV, he discussed his brief relationship with the singing superstar. "It wasn't really that big of a deal," he admitted. "We went on a couple of dates, but that's pretty much it." At the time, Spears was facing intense media scrutiny over her mental health problems. Although the public mockery of a mentally ill woman may seem unfathomable today, things were very different in the 2000s.
Carrico defended his ex. "She's a really good girl," he stated. "A lot of people are saying stuff about her, and I kind of wish everyone would leave her alone, just let her be, and I wish her the best here in the future." Carrico added that he would advise Spears not to listen to her haters.
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
Justin Timberlake mocked Britney Spears
In the late '90s and early 2000s, Britney Spears and NSYNC's Justin Timberlake were the hottest popstar power couple. Although the young lovers seemed like a wholesome duo, Timberlake hid a shady side. Since his split from Spears, the "SexyBack" singer has devoted numerous interviews to trashing his ex.
Following the pair's breakup in 2002, Timberlake released the music video for his track "Cry Me A River," which featured an obvious Britney doppelganger cheating on him. In 2011, Timberlake admitted that the song was about Spears, something he had long denied, per HuffPost.
Also in 2002, he took a dig at his ex's acting career. "If she had a clue, she wouldn't have made ['Crossroads']," he told Details (via MTV). Moreover, he discussed the couple's sex life in graphic detail in a Hot 97 radio interview. Asked whether he performed oral sex on Spears, he replied, "I did it. I'm dirty," per GQ.
And the shade didn't end there. In 2013, he seemingly trashed Spears on stage, declaring, "Sometimes in life, you think you found the one. Then you find out that she was just a b****," per The Telegraph (though he denies he was referring to Brit). Timberlake has since apologized for trashing Spears and spoke out against her conservatorship. "Regardless of our past, good and bad ... what's happening to her is just not right," he tweeted. "No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body."
Fred Durst spilled the tea no one wanted
Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst may seem an unlikely match for Britney Spears, but in 2003, he dished about his alleged dalliance with the popster. In an interview with Howard Stern, Durst refuted Spears' claims that the pair was never romantically involved. The "Nookie" singer admitted that he had long harbored a crush on Spears and was delighted when he collaborated with her. He asserted that Brit appeared at the studio at 3:00 a.m. to ask him to hang at her pad. "She's definitely not the sweet little innocent thing," he claimed, adding, "She's very aggressive" when asked whether she initiated the romp. He did, however, stop short of giving a "yes" or "no" as to whether the affair ever truly happened.
Spears' reps denied that the rendezvous occurred. "Once again, it's Fred playing kiss and tell. Only Fred's doing a lot more talking than he ever did kissing," her spokesperson told The New York Post (via Entertainment Weekly). "This whole situation is very junior high school."
In 2009, Durst addressed the alleged affair again, telling MTV, "I just guess at the time, it was taboo for a guy like me to be associated with a gal like her." However, he also lent his support to his supposed one-time lover, who was going through personal turmoil at the time. "People can judge her all they want, but she has an extreme presence and when she's giving it, it's really good," he said.
Columbus Short claims Britney's family is racist
Actor and dancer Columbus Short, who is best known for starring in "Scandal," claimed he had a one-night stand with Britney Spears when he worked as her choreographer in 2003. In his memoir, "Short Stories," he discusses his liaison with Spears at length, saying she pursued him despite the fact that they were both in relationships at the time. After supposedly having a sexual encounter in Rome, Spears was adamant that they continue with the affair, but Short said he ended up rejecting the songstress.
According to Short, Spears' family was unhappy with the dalliance and referred to him by a racial slur when she spoke to her parents on the phone. "Britney looked at me so apologetically, knowing I'd heard it. I shook my head and didn't say anything, because what was there to say?" he wrote. "She's a little white girl from Louisiana who was her family's golden ticket; I honestly wouldn't expect anything different."
In an interview with Jazzie Belle, Short declared he still loves Spears. Although he initially contemplated that she hooked up with him as a way of getting back at her racist parents, Short conceded that Spears was a good person being used by those around her. "I think maybe I thought that for a second, but no, I think she is a really sweet person that was tormented ... I liken it to Princess Diana. She was the pop princess of the world," he reflected.
Jason Alexander was in love with Britney Spears
Britney Spears married her first husband Jason Alexander (not to be confused with the actor who played George Costanza on "Seinfeld") in 2004. After 55 hours together, Spears and Alexander, who were childhood pals, called it quits, per BBC News. Alexander told Access Hollywood (via Today) that he and the pop superstar wed "just for the hell of it."
In 2012, Alexander opened up about his relationship with Spears in an interview with ABC News. He asserted that he was Spears' "friend with benefits" for years, and alleged that she was sleeping with him when she was dating Justin Timberlake. As for their quickie Vegas nuptials, he confessed that he fell head over heels for the singer. "I went with my feelings," he declared. "I was in love with her ... I feel like she felt the same way." More than anything, though, Alexander was angry that he didn't make any money out of the annulment. "Don't be a nice guy," he quipped. "Nice guys finish last ... If you are going to really get involved [in] a relationship with a celebrity and you are just an average Joe, make sure you are thinking business!"
It seems that Alexander's acrimony for his ex-wife didn't quite dissipate. In 2022, he was charged with felony stalking after breaking into Spears' house on her wedding day and livestreaming the crime, per the Associated Press. Alexander, who pleaded not guilty, was ordered to stand trial.
Kevin Federline has made cruel remarks about his ex
Britney Spears' second marriage was to Kevin Federline in 2004; they divorced in 2006, per TMZ. Federline fought to get custody of the couple's children, with many accusing him of being a gold digger, per People. Federline blamed the split on Spears' mental health issues, citing an instance when she was hospitalized after locking herself in the bathroom with her son. "You want to talk about one of my lowest points of depression, that was probably one of them," he said. "I was very, very worried for her 'cause I care about her."
After initially offering his support to Spears when she fought to end her conservatorship, Federline has changed his tune. In 2022, he told The Daily Mail that the conservatorship was necessary and "saved her." Moreover, he has claimed that her sons don't want to see her due to the nude selfies she's posted on Instagram. "The boys have decided they are not seeing her right now," he said. "It's been a few months since they've seen her. They made the decision not to go to her wedding." Spears branded the statements "hurtful" and said she posted the risqué selfies as a means of self-expression, per Yahoo!
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
JR Rotem revealed NSFW deets about Britney
Weeks after divorcing Kevin Federline in 2006, Britney Spears began dating record producer J.R. Rotem. Speaking with Blender magazine (via Contact Music) the following year, Rotem said he dated the songstress for a couple of weeks. He added that they called it quits for the sake of both their careers, but claimed that Spears didn't take the breakup well. "She was really emotional and distressed at the time," he said. Rotem also dished NSFW deets about Spears to the mag (via TMZ), divulging graphic recollections of the pair's supposed steamy sexcapades.
Also that year, he told World Entertainment News Network (via Hollywood.com) that he ditched Spears when photos of her not wearing any underwear were published (it should be noted that these were intrusive paparazzi photos taken without the singer's consent). "Yes, Britney and I were dating, before the crotch-shot thing," he said. "Now it's kind of rocky between us. We're working together still, but I'm not sure if I want to be tied down, period."
However, in an interview with Ralphie Aversa, he reflected on the remarks with some regret. While he didn't name Spears or explicitly address his misogyny, Rotem heavily alluded to past indiscretions regarding his ex. "When you get some success (in the music industry) ... it was almost like, I was trying to prove to myself ... it's kind of a phase that I went through that I'm not proud of," he confessed.
Isaac Cohen made disparaging remarks about his ex
Another of Britney Spears' exes who couldn't resist spilling the tea, Isaac Cohen dated The Princess of Pop in 2007. Per Metro, the duo was spotted on a fancy date in Las Vegas and, according to insiders, they appeared smitten. But it wouldn't be long before Cohen trashed Brit to the press. Mere days after People reported that Spears and Cohen had parted ways, the singer's ex decided to kiss and tell.
In an interview with the now defunct British tabloid News of the World (via AllWomenStalk), Cohen reportedly dished all about the former couple's love life. He declared that Spears loved all manner of saucy sex romps, including a nude jacuzzi rendezvous and all-night encounters. But, once the intimacy ended, Cohen claimed Brit became extremely vulnerable and fragile. "She was totally happy when we were locked in each other's arms. But once the sex stopped, Britney was like a little girl lost, unable to cope," he claimed. "She would lie like a limp rag doll in my arms and say, 'Why can't everyone leave me alone? What have I done to deserve this?'"
Cohen alleged that in spite of her party girl persona at the time, Spears was incredibly shy, simultaneously obsessed with her appearance and routinely neglecting it. It should be noted, however, that News of the World wasn't the most reputable (or reliable) newspaper: The outlet was forced to cease publication following a phone hacking scandal in 2011.
John Sundahl claimed he tried to help Britney Spears get sober
In the summer of 2007, Britney Spears began dating real estate investor John Sundahl. Initially, he was Spears' drug counselor. Speaking with The National Enquirer (via The Hollywood Gossip), Sundahl, who also struggled with alcohol misuse in the past, claimed that he helped Spears get through her alcohol recovery, having warned her that a relapse could be a death sentence. "She truly wants to stop what she's doing ... she's changed her life in another direction," he explained. "She doesn't get drunk every night and pass out."
Their romance blossomed in the unlikeliest of places: a hospital ward. Sundahl was recovering from bowel surgery and Spears never left his side. "She sat with me and held my hand all night long," he told The National Enquirer (via the Mirror) in a later interview. "She even sang and hummed to me while I was practically unconscious ... I love being around her. She's a sweet, caring girl and a good mom."
Rumors swirled that the pair were set to wed in 2009, per the New York Daily News. Tragically, 44-year-old Sundahl was killed by the Taliban while working as a contractor in Afghanistan in 2015, per the Mirror. Spears was reportedly devastated by his death.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Adnan Ghalib denied making Britney Spears' life a misery
British paparazzo Adnan Ghalib was notorious for hounding Britney Spears, but there was an unusual twist when the duo began dating in 2007, per The Daily Beast. Brit's loved ones were concerned about her getting close to a man who had violated her privacy through intrusive snaps — and it seems they had every right to worry, as Ghalib dished to tabloids about Spears' personal turmoil.
In 2008, he took the intrusion a step further and claimed that Spears had a sex tape, which he was reportedly interested in selling for big bucks. "There is such a tape, but I won't discuss prices for hypothetical inquiries," he told Heat (via Cosmopolitan). "Unless there is a locked-in deal, I will go no further." Charming. He later claimed the quotes were fabricated.
Speaking to The Sun in 2014, Ghalib detailed Spears' deep sadness. "It was agonizing and devastating to see this wonderful, devoted mom reduced to this state ... She slumped on the carpet and bawled her eyes out," he said. "She was deeply depressed and distressed. The unhappiest person I had ever seen in my life." Ghalib later took the moral high ground and told The Daily Beast that the #FreeBritney movement should have taken momentum years earlier, lamenting that the media was complicit in Spears' vilification. He was angered when the outlet suggested that he himself participated in his ex's ill treatment.
Jason Trawick says he and Britney Spears mixed business with pleasure
Before she tied the knot with Sam Asghari, Britney Spears was slated to make Jason Trawick husband No. 3. Trawick was initially Britney's agent, but their relationship blossomed into something more intimate, per E!. In 2011, Access Hollywood (via ABC News) reported that the pair were engaged. Trawick gushed that he was "over the moon" to wed Spears.
The couple did a sweet joint interview with Elle, in which Trawick recalled how his former client made the first move. "It was kind of one of those things where she moved, like, turned around, so we were face-to-face, and then..." he said, before Spears warned him not to spill too much. "Okay, that's enough information, sweetie. It was sweet, just say that," the Princess of Pop interjected.
Despite appearing smitten, E! News reported that the twosome parted ways at the start of 2013. "As this chapter ends for us, a new one begins. I love and cherish her and her boys and we will be close forever," Trawick said of the short-lived engagement. Soon, wild theories began circulating that the couple had briefly wed before getting a quickie divorce. Per Page Six, this was due to the publication of Spears' court documents, which revealed a payment of $9,150 for "consultation [on] dissolution of marriage." However, Trawick denied the rumors in texts sent to his pal, Extra's Billy Bush. "I believe you would have known if I was married," he said.
David Lucado spoke out against her conservatorship
In 2013, Britney Spears began a romance with David Lucado, per E! News. At the time, Spears declared that she was deeply in love with her new beau — even if her dad, Jamie, apparently did a background check on him when they began dating. Although Lucado seemed like a southern Prince Charming, the relationship came to an abrupt end in 2014 when he was accused of cheating.
According to TMZ, Spears' dad purchased a video that showed Lucado smooching and cavorting with another woman. Devastated after her father showed her the tape, Spears ditched Lucado. However, he denied cheating, telling TMZ that he and his superstar gal were on a relationship break. According to People, the couple had a brief reconciliation thereafter.
Despite the acrimonious split (Spears famously called Lucado out on social media following the cheating scandal), he has stood up for his ex. As the #FreeBritney movement began gaining momentum, Lucado passionately spoke out against her conservatorship and dismissed claims that she was an unfit mother. "If anyone knew the real Britney, they would know that she would rather be remembered for being the great mother she is rather than the artist she is," he told The New York Times. "And if anyone could see her interactions with her kids, they would know that there is no need for a conservatorship over Britney's personal life."
Charlie Ebersol praised Britney Spears' kindness
TV producer Charlie Ebersol, the son of NBC's Dick Ebersol, began dating Britney Spears in the winter of 2014. Per E! News, sources dished that Ebersol was a true sweetheart who doted on his lady love.
Indeed, Ebersol has shown immense compassion for Spears, whose struggles mirror those he faced in the past. At a time when mental health awareness was severely lacking, Spears was notoriously maligned in the press. Likewise, Ebersol was the victim of extreme bullying in high school. Opening up to People (via Hello! magazine), he reflected on his past struggles, admitting that there was a point in his life when he didn't believe he could ever have a romantic relationship. "My personal life is my personal life, but I will say this: If I had not gone through what I've gone through, I would not have been prepared to be in a relationship of any kind, much less in one with someone like Britney, who has the enormous heart that she does ... everybody deserves to be loved," he said.
In 2015, Us Weekly reported that the couple called it quits, with insiders hinting that Spears doubted her beau's intentions. "I just felt that he was in it for the wrong reasons," a source claimed. As Vanity Fair noted, Brit scrubbed all mention of Ebersol from her social media accounts following the split.