← Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald
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- [00:01]
Heather McDonald
Heather McDonald has got the Juicy Scoop. When you're on the road, when you're on the go, Juicy Scoop is the show to know. She talks Hollywood tales, her real life Mr. Segment, serial data and cereal sister. You'll be addicted and addicted fast to the number one tabloid real life podcast. Listen in, listen up. Hannah McDonald's juicy scoop. Hello and welcome to Juicy Scoop. You guys, I'm recording this on June 25th. You're listening to it on the 26th, 2025 and actually today, June 25th was when my first episode of Juicy Scoop ever dropped in 2015. That day it happened to be a Thursday. So thank you for sticking with me all these years. I'm wearing one of our special limited edition Juicy Scoop anniversary shirts and very excited. I'm also very excited to tell you guys, you've been asking and wondering, Heather, are you going to be at Bravocon weekend in Las Vegas? And please tell me you're having a show. Well, your prayers have been answered. The tickets will be are available right now. If you're Patreon, there's a special code that you can only find on Patreon. For everyone else, you can buy the ticket starting tomorrow. That's June 27th and Friday you'll be able to buy the tickets. It's a Show on Friday, November 14th. It's a live Juicy Scoop which will be very Bravo centric, class classic, bravo funny special guests. It'll be at MGM and that's at 10pm on November 14, which is perfect. So you can add it to your plans. If you're gonna just do one day of Bravocon or a few special events, this is perfect. You can get a beautiful dinner before and laugh your ass off Friday night, November 14th. So get on that. Go to heathermcdonald.net this is where you can also buy the merch. Also this shirt which I thought was a little much to be wearing myself, but it's been selling very well and very nice soft quality. There you go. Couple updates before we get to our very juicy interview that we did record last week with Sam Asghari, who is Britney Spears ex husband and also a rising actor and such. Such an interesting conversation. It's, it's pretty. I was really surprised how much he shared. So very juicy. Very excited for you guys. Listen to that. First, let's get into some hot topics. All right, this just happened today in the Diddy trial. No, this is nothing. Gross. I'm just giving you some updates. Prosecutors have dropped kidnapping, arson and certain sex trafficking charges. So they're getting ready to close their arguments and then the jury will go. And so the prosecution has said, don't focus on these things. We're not even going for those. So people are speculating. Could he in fact walk now in order to get the racketeering and all that? He would still have to, they still have to convict him of that. That's why this case is confusing and that's why I'm not going to try to explain it perfectly. But you know, with you what Because I think some of the victims, like Cassie and the other Jane Doe, I think that it is going to be hard for a jury to say, well, I know they were willing at this time, but this time they weren't. And we're what is there is the sex trafficking of bringing male sex workers across state lines to have these fun hotel nights in which everyone was an adult. Is that really a crime? So they have to basically they very specific instructions on what crimes he in fact has broken, which would be part of the racketeering. So it's, it is very confusing. And, but I mean, I don't know, I don't know that he'll get 20 years or something. I would guess probably not. I am going to predict that he's gonna get like 36 months and do 21 of them. That's just my prediction. This episode of Juicy Scoop is brought to you by booking.com, booking. Yeah. Whether you're booking for yourself, your partner, your picky teens or your sleep light mother in law, you can find exactly what you're booking for on booking dot com. What I really love about a vacation is at the end of it, you all had a great time because you chose the right place. So if my family can find the perfect stay on booking.com, anyone can find exactly what you're booking for. Booking.com booking. Yeah. Book today on the site or or in the app. This episode of Juicy Scoop is sponsored by HoneyLove. I absolutely love honey Love it snatches my waist, gives me a booty and is comfortable under these cute little summer outfits I am wearing. Treat yourself to the most comfortable shapewear on earth and save 20% off site wide at honeylove.com juicy. Use our exclusive link to get 20% off honeylove.com juicy and after your purchase they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them Juicy Scoop sent you. Experience the new standard in shapewear with honeylove. This episode of Juicy Scoop is brought to you by booking.com, booking. Yeah. Whether you're booking for yourself, your partner, your picky teens, or your sleep light mother in law, you can find exactly what you're booking for on booking dot com. What I really love about a vacation is at the end of it, you all had a great time because you chose the right place. So if my family can find the perfect stay on booking.com, anyone can find exactly what you're booking for booking.com, booking. Yeah. Book today on the site or in the app. Okay. Also now when I said a couple weeks ago, I think it was for my YouTube thumbnail, as you will, you have to do a short title, I said Blake Lively wins. Justin Baldoni had the judge had thrown out his defamation lawsuit against her and New York Times and Ryan Reynolds. Then people said she didn't win. He's still going to refile more. He can still refile certain aspects of the lawsuit or something. Well, according to tmz, Justin Baldoni's lawyer says he won't refile claims against Blake Lively after all. So there's a lot of speculation about why, if in fact this is a real win for Blake, if what other tactic they might take, if they might just do some settlement, if they might retract at all, I don't know. But Blake Lively and Taylor still not hanging out. Okay. And just like that, we had another episode and you guys are going to be shocked by what I'm going to tell you. There are certain things about and just like that that I do think they are doing right. Okay. And one actually is I've now changed my mind based on the last episode. Is Carrie dating Aiden? Because it's exploring the fact that he's divorced with kids and where does she fit into that? And that is juicy. Because when you're in your 50s and the kids are almost out of the house maybe a few years, I have friends in that position. And the smart ones are waiting to move in actually with their soon to be fiance. They will get married, but they are actually waiting for the youngest one to go off to college because financially they don't have to live together. So they're not going to fuck up those teenage years that might already be fragile from a divorce. I thought they captured this really, really well. Now we all, myself included, was like, who the fuck would wait five years when Aiden's like, just wait five years. And that whole thing was weird. But then she gets there and we see the dynamic that he's really struggling with this youngest child. And they play apples to Apples. And let me tell you, if you've played apples to apples with your kids, I, this was a very triggering episode for me. I'm gonna get into it at Patreon. Why I think this, they actually got this moment and I do think now she'll be able to date other people. And I would like to just see the storyline go away. But I, because you know, in. I think one of the things, the problem is that people are like, this isn't this, these characters are different and this isn't, you know, Sex and City and. Yeah, because when you're in your 30s, during sex and the City, which they were, they would go on these dates and she'd find this cute guy and oh, he lives with his parents. And now I have to deal with the weird, you know, parents or like weird mother in laws. Like when Charlotte got married and towards the end of the season, she had a mean mother in law. Well, now when you date in your 50s, it's not the parents that are barely hanging on to life if they are that you have to deal with the in laws or your boyfriend's parents, it is their kids. And at that point you're not looking to be a stepmom, you can't parent them. And you're like, maybe I don't want to fuck with these weird kids right now at this stage of my life. You know, it's not like you're dating someone and the kid is three. It's a totally different story. So that is very juicy. Miranda. We miss Che so much. I miss Rosie o' Donnell. This chick that she's starting relationship is not funny, it's not clever. She's not particularly sexy. She's pretty boring. She's a boring English, you know, gold star lesbian. And it's just boring. So that I didn't love. And there was one funny line, there was one funny line. During the dinner with Charlotte, Harry's old father comes and they announce that by the way, we're way too into the kids sex life. I agree with that. But her daughter is dating a hot ballerina, a male ballerina. And the old man goes, well, in my day, male ballerinas had boyfriends. And then the guy goes, oh, I have a boyfriend too. And they're like. And Charlotte with her eyes. And then her daughter goes, yeah, whatever his name is. Marco is polyamorous. He's Polly. And then the old grandpa goes, polly wants a brisket. And like Polly wants a cracker. And I gotta say that pun made me chuckle. Old Jew humor can be Funny. It can be funny. And to me, it made me laugh. So the rest of the people. Who cares? Don't matter. All right. The biggest wedding of the century. Bigger than. Well, maybe not bigger than Meghan Markle, but since Meghan Markle's wedding, this wedding, in which Lauren Sanchez is getting married for either her second or third time. Not that it matters to Jeff Bezos. I think it's his second. They're doing it in Venice. There's a lot of, oh, I. You know, people in Venice saying they're not happy about it, and they put these big signs up. Go away. All of this. Well, they did an invite that some people thought was a tacky invite, but I actually thought it was a pretty smart way to ingratiate yourself to the people of Venice. And it was kind of the. The art around it is weird, which we'll show it. But it said, we're exciting for you guys to. For you to. To join us. The. The reports are that each guest is costing about 50 grand from beginning to end. I don't. I mean, I can't imagine them picking up their flights. They all have private planes. But for whatever this wedding is, they're estimating each guest is costing them 50 grand. They're asking for no gifts. Do you imagine she's, like, registered at Macy's and you're like, oh, I got you the butter house, or whatever? But they are saying, but instead, we're making contributions in your honor with gratitude to you for making the journey to celebrate with us in Venice. Donations on your behalf are being made. Oh, they're not even asking for donations. They're saying they are making all the donations to two different charities in Venice for the Lagoon Habitat to protect Venice's future. This magic place has gifted us an unforgettable memory. Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire generations to come. I want to say you guys pretty classy, pretty nice. All right. Meanwhile, Megan 2.0 had a premiere party. And I saw this video, and I'm like, I can. Why is Margaret Joseph's dancing like that? I'm pretty impressed. Margaret Josephs of Real Housewives of New Jersey. And oh, my God, between the hair and the glasses. And there were, like, several of these Megan girls, like, dressed like this, dancing in these robot outfits. And the first comment was, I thought it was Margaret Joseph's. And it is. Tell me that does not look like her. Meghan Markle is releasing her first as ever to go with the raspberry jam. I'm sure this will sell out as well. So who knows how many cases she made, but get on it. And it's things like this that is keeping her from continuing her podcast, which has gone on pause. She's been doing it for so long, almost as long as I have. She started April 6th of 2020 and just woo. She is kaput. Okay, Kim Kardashian, we knew this was coming. Is going to produce the Bratz movie. Of course. Barbie was a huge hit and Lego was a huge hit. And now it's going to be Bratz. I think this is brilliant. I think, you know, we grew up with Barbies. We wanted to look like Barbies. We wanted Barbie's legs. We liked Barbie's looks. My generation, Gen X millennials, grew up with Bratz dolls, hence why I think they like the fuller lip, the eye, the makeup, the eyelashes. All of that became the look of the millennials for the last 15 years, 20s, whatever. And I mean, I remember McKenzie had one of these Bratz dolls and I'm like, does it come with underwear or does she go without to get into the club for free? These are the things we used to play. Anyway, that's gonna be a show and I believe it's gonna be, yeah, live action. So there'll be girls. And there was a funny part in, in Barbie where they thought it was supposed to be like Bratz dolls doing something, but this is separate, obviously, because it's not a Mattel thing. And there was a bidding world bidding war. And Kim's gonna play a role, which she absolutely should. She started that look. But interestingly, plastic surgery and the way girls, younger girls are doing their makeup and stuff is moving away from the filler face, the big lips. That type of look in the plastic surgery is also not working. And same with boobs. So Sammy Sheen, who is Denise Richard and Charlie Sheen's daughter, has a successful only fans page. And she did a big thing where I'm not going to show my boobs until I get them done. And she got her boobs done. She has since removed them. I don't know if it was because she thought it wasn't making her feel. Well, like, health wise. Some people, their body just doesn't accept a foreign object like an implant. But plastic surgeons are saying the new thing is people taking their own fat to just make their own breasts a little fat, fuller and not putting any kind of implant in it, which is kind of an interesting movement. I've said tiny tits have been in forever. Embrace those tiny tits all Right, you guys get ready for an amazing Patreon extra episodes this weekend. I'm going to talk about what I really thought about my episode with Sherry Papini on on Patreon and a special special look on that on a the Juicy Crimes level. So make sure that you're part of Patreon and also if you're on Patreon, go over right now. If you missed the post about how you can pre order those tickets right now. It's just one show on November 14th in Vegas at BravoCon and it's gonna be no holds bar. We will be snarky, we will tell the truth. We're going to be hilarious. There's going to be music, there's going to be impressions, there's going to be guests, it's going to be a fucking good time and we don't give a shit. Okay? So that's where you want to be. Talk to your friends, get those tickets now before it sells out. Everything's@heathermcdonald.net okay, now for a very juicy, surprising interview that I did with Sam and I hope I say his name right. And scarry. Hello and welcome to Juicy Scope. Well, I'm very excited for, for my guests today. We have a lot to discuss. I hope I'm saying your name right. Sam Ansghari. No. Asghari.
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Sam Asghari
Yes. That's pretty good.
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Heather McDonald
Asghari.
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Sam Asghari
Yes.
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Heather McDonald
Asghari.
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Sam Asghari
Yes. Asghari. You know him as with one as, not two as.
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Heather McDonald
Yes, you know him as model, actor, also ex husband to Britney Spears. But before we start, I just wanna tell people that we record this. We recorded this on June 18, 2025. You are originally from Iran. It's a very tumultuous time right now. We don't know when you guys are listening to this, where we'll be in the world right now. But we wanna be really sensitive to what's happening. So can you fill us in a little bit right now of what you're going through?
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Sam Asghari
Personally, I'm a citizen of the US and I've been here for quite a bit.
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Heather McDonald
Well, how old were you when you came over?
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Sam Asghari
I was 11 and a half, almost 12 years old in 2006 when I first moved here. And my family always knew that we were gonna come to America and America was this land of opportunity, this out of touch reality that we always knew we were gonna come. But it's a bittersweet moment to see where the country is and what people understand. Iranians and Persians are in Los Angeles. There's a lot of Persians. And if you know them, you know that they are not the same as their government. I mean, the government is called the Islamic Republic revolution that took over in 1979. And they sort of have had, you know, this control over the people. And there's a false narrative of Persians in Iran hate America and Israel and everything in the Western world. But the truth, reality is back in history, throughout the Iranian history, we've always loved America and we always loved Israel and everybody. Matter of fact, that country is one of the most peaceful countries in the world and it's the oldest country in the world. And the history just, you know, you go back to Cyrus the Great, so many inspirations came from that. Anywhere between culture, history, everything we used day to day, things that was invented in the Persian empire and things like that. And it's sort of a sad moment that in America, when I first moved here, people knew it as the government and it's completely different.
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Heather McDonald
There is nothing that bums me out and honestly disturbs me than going and grocery shopping thinking about it. But worse, getting all these groceries and not using them. And that's what I love about hungryroot. Hungryroot takes the stress out of mealtime by planning a full week of meals tailored to your taste. And it gets smarter with every order. With over 15,000 recipes to choose from. I love Hungry Root because it saved me time. It saved me from going to the grocery store. I didn't waste any food. I loved it and my family were like impressed with my cooking recipe skills. Take advantage of this exclusive offer. For a limited time, you get 40% off your first box plus get a free item in every box for life. Go to hungryroot.com juicyscoop and use code juicyscoop that's hungryroot.com juicy scoop code juicy scoop to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your Choice for Life. Hungryroot.com JuiceScoop Code JuiceScoop this episode of Juicy Scoop is brought to you by booking.com, booking. Yeah. Hopefully you get to go on a vacation this summer or many and you and your loved ones have figured out the destination. But now where do you stay? You might have a mother in law that's very particular. You might have some kids that need that really great pool to get that energy out. That's where booking.com, booking. Yeah. Can give you everything that you need. Whether you're booking for yourself, your partner, your picky teens or your sleep light mother in law. You can find exactly what you're booking for on booking dot com. What I really love about a vacation is at the end of it, you all had a great time. Like, if you're sitting in the airport waiting to get on a flight and you are like, yeah, that was a really perfect trip. Everyone felt happy. Everybody's needs were met because you chose the right place. So if my family can find the perfect stay on booking.com, anyone can find exactly what you're booking for booking.com, booking. Yeah. Book today on the site or in the app. So how old are you now?
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Sam Asghari
I'm 31 now.
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Heather McDonald
So what year did you say you came here in?
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Sam Asghari
2006.
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Heather McDonald
So I grew up here, too. And so I was. I remember being young and, you know, knowing about the influx of Iranian citizens coming to in particular, very much LA Valley, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills. And my parents were in real estate, and a lot of the real estate was being bought by Iranians. A lot of realtors were Iranians. And in my home, it was very positive. So I hope that you felt it was positive for you, because it was not ever a negative thing. It was the exact same thing that they left a regime that was not treating people well to come here, and they were successful. And my favorite thing about my Persian friends is the cultural thing of that. If you compliment them on something, they give it to you. I always tell the story. I had a friend, my husband's friend, came over kind of like your age, very American, was in the army, and they were doing medical sales together. And so then our boys are the same age. And I went to their house, like, in Sherman Oaks, and her little boy was, like, just a couple months older than mine, and he had this, like, swinging bassinet thing. And I go, oh, I want to get that for Drake. And she took her son out, and she's like, no, you take it. Like, what are you talking about? She's like, he's fine. We have something else. You take that. I want you to have it. And I was like, oh, my God, Everyone needs to compliment a Persian friend.
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Sam Asghari
Yeah, they will give it to you. They're generous, and it's almost rude if you don't take it.
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Heather McDonald
Yeah, I took it.
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Sam Asghari
Yeah. It's a weird thing because, you know, I was born in Iran, but when I moved here in 2006, my number one objective was to fit into the culture because we loved America. I mean, like, I was just in love with the flag. It was just like this happy moment of coming here. And, you know, even I part ways from my family. I moved here alone. My sisters were still stuck back there because of the immigration system.
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Heather McDonald
And were your sisters older?
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Sam Asghari
They were the youngest. I have three sisters. The youngest one was. Is eight years older than me. And they're like my little sisters, to be honest with you.
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Heather McDonald
You're younger. Wait, your oldest sister is eight years older?
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Sam Asghari
The youngest older sister that I have is eight.
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Heather McDonald
Oh, so these, all the little girls are all.
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Sam Asghari
Yes.
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Heather McDonald
Okay, so the big break between you.
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Sam Asghari
And the girl, 8 year gap difference between the youngest sister and then I have a nine year with the. With the middle. With the middle daughter of my dad. And then the oldest is 10 years, and there are three sisters. They're all here. Long story short, my dad was a player grown up, and he wanted a son. And God sort of punished him by giving him three daughters. And he told me, he said, listen, I am a daddy's girl, and I love being a daddy's girl. And I would never change that. He wanted a son because in that culture, the son is to carry, you know, the family name.
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Heather McDonald
So you came over here then with who?
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Sam Asghari
I came here, I moved with my dad, and my father was kind of in a situation where he had to go back and get my sister's situation. Right. And because it's because of the relationships with the US And Iranian government, there is not a American embassy in Iran. You have to go through Turkey or different, you know, countries to sort of get the visa. And it took around 10 to 15 years for my sisters to get their visa. They were over the age of 18 and they had to be FBI check. For me, it was a little bit easier because I was under the age and I didn't have to go through all that process. So my visa was. They gave it to me right there when we took the. When we went for an interview. I remember I went to Turkey, Istanbul to go to the American embassy. And I was talking to a lady, and she was Korean, but she worked for the immigration, and she was sort of asking me questions and things like that. And right away she sort of gave me a visa. And then that's when I had to say bye to my mom. And my sisters were back in Iran.
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Heather McDonald
So who'd you live with at 11?
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Sam Asghari
So I said bye to my mom. I moved here. My dad was here. I met with my dad, and I was with my dad for a few years. And my uncle sort of took care of me at that moment. And my dad went back to situate my sister's situations. And then they moved here six Years after me, slowly.
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Heather McDonald
So when you came over here at 11.
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Sam Asghari
Yes.
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Heather McDonald
Did you speak English?
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Sam Asghari
I did not, no. Yeah, yeah.
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Heather McDonald
And where in LA were you living?
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Sam Asghari
I was in Westlake Village, California.
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Heather McDonald
Oh, that's where I lived.
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Sam Asghari
Well, actually, at that time, it was Camarillo, and then I moved to Westlake for pretty much all my life. I went to school there.
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Heather McDonald
How did you learn English? How did you learn and go to school at 11?
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Sam Asghari
For me, it was, you know, like I say, it was just such a cool moment to be here. And I think at that age, you know, I spoke Farsi. I went to school in Iran. I knew how to read and write, and I was just so enthusiastic about just being in this country that it wasn't even an issue speaking English. It was sort of a fast thing to, you know, learn.
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Heather McDonald
Pick up, pick up. Wow, that's amazing.
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Sam Asghari
Yeah. Yeah.
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Heather McDonald
Wow, that's impressive. And how was it, like, making friends and things? Was that difficult?
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Sam Asghari
It was very easy.
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Heather McDonald
No.
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Sam Asghari
At the time Borat came out. Do you remember Borat?
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Heather McDonald
Oh, yeah.
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Sam Asghari
With Sasha Baron Conan. And that was like. I was watching all these comedy movies because comedy is very effective when it comes to, you know, learning.
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Heather McDonald
Yeah. A lot of people say they would learn watching TV and stuff, that. That really helped them get it quick.
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Sam Asghari
Yeah. And, you know, it's the actions, and it's like, you know, the Mr. Bean, the Borat comedians that, you know, they're over the top and they sort of come here and they make fun of themselves and. And people were, you know, I was doing the phrase. And all the popular kids in school were like, oh, you know, they were calling us Borat. I had a few Persian friends as well, and we kind of fit in, you know, using such a crazy comedy to sort of, like, ease our way into the popular kids and the people that were cool and we thought we were cool, but the reality was they were just making fun of us. They were like, oh, let's just use these guys as our clown and as our thing. So it was. It was easy. You know, I did. I played American sports. I played American football. I used to drink Gatorade in the morning. I thought that was, like, an American thing to do, to fit in. So everything was, you know. So did you go to Westlake High at this time? I was in middle school, eighth grade in middle school in Camarillo School called Monte Vista. And after that, I came to Westlake because they had, like, a really cool football program, and my uncle lived in Westlake. So that's when I Went to Westlake.
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Heather McDonald
High School and then was high school better? Like, was it or was it still a big adjustment for you?
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Sam Asghari
I wasn't really. I was just so happy to be here. I wasn't even focused on the adjustment. I mean, I was so delusional that I thought people were making fun of you, was that you were complimentary. It was complimentary, but, you know, it was just a sweet moment. And it was never. I never had a tough time fitting in and I kind of made light of the situation, made fun of myself. It was an adjustment for sure, like, because when I was in Iran, I went to all boys schools. So it was sort of. I had sisters. So, you know, that that whole guy to girl situation was a little bit different for people to fit in. But for me, I was raised by women, so it wasn't, you know, it wasn't too awkward for me. I wasn't saying anything weird to scare off, you know, the white girls in school and things like that. But people still found it weird that I looked older. I looked much older. I was this size and, you know, I had a certain haircut and facial hair that the white kids couldn't even, you know, grow their beards and things like that. And I was, you know, I was sort of like this 40 year old in high school.
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Heather McDonald
That's so funny.
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Sam Asghari
It was fun. Yeah.
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Heather McDonald
And so after high school, then, what.
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Sam Asghari
Did you do after high school? When high school was over, I tried playing football. I went to Nebraska. We had a family member in Nebraska. And part of what really helped me, when you move here, you got to sort of America is a melting pot of cultures. You know, you got Latinos, you got Persians, you got. Especially in la, there's towns like the little, you know, Tokyo or whatever you think of, you can sort of move into that area and you can get by, but not even speaking English. I wanted to do the opposite. I wanted to go to, like, far away from Iranians and really part ways from that culture because of our government. Our government is so terrible that we don't even want to be associated with that. I wanted to change my name. My name was Hasam. My first name, H E S A M. And I changed it to Sam because it was more pleasant.
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Heather McDonald
Yeah, more American.
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Sam Asghari
Yeah, more American. And I did all that stuff and sort of. It took me maybe about two years to speak fluent English and sort of, you know, learn how to sit down and eat properly and become American and celebrate American things. And that lifestyle was just so cool for me that I embraced it really Fast.
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Heather McDonald
So when you were in Nebraska, were you going to the college there, trying to play football?
- [33:13]
Sam Asghari
I went to. My family had businesses there. We had, they had a couple gas stations. So I was going there to help them out for summer. And because I was working multiple jobs, trying to support myself and things like that. And at that time I went there to play sports as well. I was like, maybe I'm here, let's just play football there for a few months. But Nebraska is tough. I was homesick. When you come to California or New York, there's no place like was a bunch of corn and fruit food and I was gaining so much weight. So I came back to la. I went to this community college, Moorpark Community College and I played football there. But at that time it was, you know, I was an adult so I had to take care of myself and things like that. So I was working multiple jobs and playing a sport and things like that. And then sports were becoming. When you play sports it's sort of a, a full time job. And I was getting fired from my work because I was trying to navigate and go back and forth between practices and I was lying to people, taking a lunch break, we're going to football practice and showing up late to places. And then I got fired from a few things. So, you know, that's when reality hit is like, are you going to make it into sports or are you going to focus on certain things? And I was, at that time I was adjusting with my weight because when you play sports you weigh a certain way and things like that. And that's when the opportunity of commercial acting and modeling came into place.
- [34:49]
Heather McDonald
So how many did someone approach you or what?
- [34:52]
Sam Asghari
It wasn't somebody that approached me. I mean in school I was also doing drama and all that good stuff. I always had loved for acting and things like that. So it was sort of a moment where I was realizing that what was working for me. And then yeah, I mean I got into like a couple of music videos and, and a couple agents reached out, couple fashion shows wanted me to walk on the thing. And at that time I didn't want to do modeling, I wanted to focus on acting. So I started reaching out to agents and started like fake it till you make it moment where I was, you know, had my. One of my good friends made a fake Gmail and was pitching me out to agents.
- [35:35]
Heather McDonald
So he was pretending to be your agent?
- [35:36]
Sam Asghari
Yeah, he was pretending to be.
- [35:37]
Heather McDonald
I love that.
- [35:37]
Sam Asghari
Yeah, he was pretending to be. And my whole life has been sort of, you know, you have to go above and beyond and sort of fake it till you make it to get there. And it was, it's a cool moment to look back and make fun of the reality of it.
- [35:53]
Heather McDonald
Did you ever find, because I noticed this too about your look and what's good is like if I was casting director, if I was an agent, I was trying to pitch you. What's great about you for an actor is that you could play many different ethnicities. Like you could play Latino, you could play Italian as well as something Middle Eastern.
- [36:14]
Sam Asghari
Yes.
- [36:14]
Heather McDonald
Did you find that was a good thing? Like people clued into that too?
- [36:19]
Sam Asghari
Yeah. At that time I still, I was still, you know, more muscular and that was an issue because you don't want to be too muscular. You get to fit in the suits and stuff to fit in, you know, anything really. Like I was still wearing, you know, it's not a good look. And that was the only issue that I was fighting with. But as far as being ethnically ambiguous, yeah, that was really good to have. Like I was playing Latinos. I was, I did a Target commercial right off the bat, one of my first commercials, super bowl commercial and things like that. And that's when it was like, I want to start going into TV and film and how much of that do I want to do? Commercial do I want to do sports, modeling? I have to pick and choose to see where I go from there.
- [37:08]
Heather McDonald
So it was a music video in which you met your ex wife, Britney Spears. Right. And that was quite a While ago, like 10 years ago now that you guys first started.
- [37:19]
Sam Asghari
I think it was in 2017, that music video. Yes.
- [37:23]
Heather McDonald
And when you started to date and become romantic, what did your friends and family think? Like you're with this very, very famous pop star. Like was it, you know, I'm blessed.
- [37:35]
Sam Asghari
And it's very unique thing to have everywhere because you don't pick your family. So certain people are not blessed with the love and support that I've had from my family that went beyond what was, you know, what was the Hollywood like? Like nobody really cared about that as much. It was surreal. But our biggest, especially me, my biggest accomplishment to this day or the biggest thing was coming to America was just so far fetched and such a amazing thing and that's what the biggest win was. And the rest of it was icing on the cake. And we're here now and my responsibility is to take advantage of the opportunities that we have. And anything that comes to it is just, it's an icing on the cake. And the most, the greatest thing about that is my sisters and my mom and dad at the time, they were just happy to see me be here and take advantage of the opportunity. Because where I'm from, it takes a lot of luck and it takes a lot of things to just be here. Like I said, fake it till you make it. Like hustling, going out of your way and doing things. But also a lot of it was luck. So it was sort of enjoying the moment and going with the flow. And it wasn't sort of because things could get weird. You know, when, when people get popular, when people get known for something, your loved ones are the people that, that could damage you. And I'm just so blessed that I never had that. It was just. They wanted me to be okay, be happy and protect myself. And because of my, you know, upbringing and, and my culture and the experiences that I had growing up, I was maybe at that time 20, 21. But you know, the experiences I had was equivalent to like a 40 year old, not just my looks.
- [39:33]
Heather McDonald
Yeah.
- [39:33]
Sam Asghari
You know, so it was sort of a. I was grounded person to realize that it was a blessing to have all these opportunities. But it wasn't sort of. They weren't so excited for me because something was happening that usually doesn't happen. They just wanted me to protect myself.
- [39:52]
Heather McDonald
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- [44:00]
Sam Asghari
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that's just, you know, coming to America was this. America is this free country, right. And having three sisters. The main reason why we even came here was to have freedom. And when we came here, that was the main thing. And for me to see somebody in America, regardless of being a pop star, regardless of being famous, that is not free, it was sort of really weird for me. And that's when I realized this is a very weird situation and this is unheard of. I didn't think this could have happened in America. So it was, you know, it was about just going through the flow and seeing why that even happened and why somebody's family could, you know, take an advantage. You know, taking advantage, taking control of a situation. How Hollywood could, you know, sort of be evil in a way. And it happens to many other people as well. This wasn't the situation. But that experience alone sort of got me ready to where I want to be in life, to see what is the most important. Is it important to be famous? Is it important to sort of sacrifice certain things just to get a certain thing? So that experience, I was blessed to sort of have like a college crash course into Hollywood. And that taught me that. The whole experience taught me so much. And, you know, I've already experienced so much in my life. As a 21 year old, I was already, you know, far more experienced than most of the 21 year olds here. And now I get to experience Hollywood backwards, sort of.
- [45:45]
Heather McDonald
Yeah.
- [45:45]
Sam Asghari
You know what I mean?
- [45:46]
Heather McDonald
Right. Because you were. Yeah. So famous. And now you're like, you know, building your way like a normal actor. I want to ask you about the wedding.
- [45:56]
Sam Asghari
Yes.
- [45:57]
Heather McDonald
Because, you know, it was like this surprise wedding and these big stars were there. Paris and Kathy Hilton, Drew Barrymore, all these people that were her friends. But we, as the people at home, it looked like you guys called up people that morning. How impromptu because of the media was that wedding.
- [46:20]
Sam Asghari
Everything was. My whole relationship was. It doesn't. You don't need to call up media for it. It's. It was always on the news. It was always. Anything you do, you post, the Instagram thing, it. It makes it to TMZ and all these different outlets. So it's. It's just. You don't even have to go. It was sort of actually a private, intimate moment and it was people that she admired and she wanted there. So it's just.
- [46:49]
Heather McDonald
And your family was there?
- [46:50]
Sam Asghari
My family was there, yes, of course. They have to be there. My family, you Know, but my family was always supportive. They did not. You know, nobody on my side of the family really cared of who was. I mean, one of my friend didn't even know who Madonna was. So it's sort of.
- [47:07]
Heather McDonald
Oh, Madonna was there too, right? Yeah.
- [47:09]
Sam Asghari
So it's sort of like, you know, I've had this blessing of my circle was the only thing they cared about is my happiness and you know, if I have to protect myself and, and my health.
- [47:23]
Heather McDonald
And so I'm guessing because I had said this, you know, I'm guessing it was a difficult place to be to be her husband.
- [47:35]
Sam Asghari
I wouldn't say difficult at all. Like I said, my life has been, you know, I've gone through far experiences throughout my life just to be in this country. And so like Hollywood was sort of very easy for me to handle and I was blessed to have the experience to sort of understand what it is and kind of dissect it and reverse psychology it and see where it goes so I can use it in my career.
- [48:04]
Heather McDonald
Right. But I'm just saying, like I remember, you know, I think people were always. It must have been hard is what I'm saying, where people must were trying to be like, oh, you know, Sam's in this for the wrong reasons or what's Sam doing? But they really couldn't find a lot of criticism with you. Nobody really had anything tangible that you ever really did wrong in this thing. And then when you guys broke up, I kind of said, well, like imagine if you're Sam. Like that is, I would imagine from what we see from the outside without, you know, getting too critical of her. It must have been a challenging relationship that I'm guessing you may have thought would go in a different direction after you were married.
- [48:52]
Sam Asghari
Sure, sure.
- [48:53]
Heather McDonald
I mean, it appeared to have not.
- [48:56]
Sam Asghari
Yeah, I mean, I totally get it. You know, looking from the outside in the situation and you know, the age gap difference, the fame gap difference, everything that you see could be, you know, looked at as. Could be judgmental. I would have judged myself as well and I would have judged the situation as well. But the truth is that before that, prior to that, I was already working on acting. I was worried. Already I'm here in America and that's already good enough and that's already the biggest achievement that anybody. It's out of touch is so far fetched for me to be here. It's sort of. And part of my growing up was that I saw on Good Morning America Arnold Schwarzenegger said this, that he was so thankful to be Here and with the immigration system that we have, it's a sensitive situation. But he was saying all the criminals that are coming to America, it's almost foolish to use this country's opportunity to commit crime. Because opportunities are just so much here that anything you put your mind to, you can succeed. And when you commit a crime, you sort of are kind of stabbing the country in its back when it gives you so much more. And it's foolish. Instead of going through it legally and becoming a legal citizen and sort of having America embrace you. Because America loves immigrants. We're built on immigrants. Everybody's an immigrant, including you. Your family far back, came through Ellis Island?
- [50:31]
Heather McDonald
Well, actually my dad's mom came to Ellis island from Ireland. And my kind of favorite story about her is, so when she got there, she was a 29 year old single woman, which in the 1920s is like, oh my God, I can't believe. So she just wrote 19 down, changed her age to 19, and then she met my grandpa who was also 19, and then got married, had her kids. And not till she died at like 96 did the grandkids and kids like realize that she was 10 years older than their dad this entire time because she was just, you know, like, who cares? Like, I don't know that he knew. Honestly, like, it was because of that, you know, exactly what you said.
- [51:14]
Sam Asghari
Just the, how cool is that? You know, how. So it's sort of, I had this mentality of I have this blessing and with my blessing there comes a, you know, responsibility and I, if I do anything to hurt that, that's going to be the universe. I always, throughout my life, so many great blessings that happen that I often, you know, I, I can't say it's hard work because it's total luck. And if I mess with that, if I do anything wrong, I'm sort of messing with the blessings are, that are, that are still coming because I, I, I still have confidence in myself. I'm always gonna work extremely hard and put myself out there, but if I do anything to hurt that, it's sort of, I believe in karma and universe and the truth speaks for itself.
- [51:58]
Heather McDonald
So when you realized this marriage was not going to last forever, how long were you guys married for?
- [52:08]
Sam Asghari
It was close to a year.
- [52:10]
Heather McDonald
Oh, that's it. But you were together for like, what, about seven years?
- [52:16]
Sam Asghari
Oh, yeah. Marriage wasn't, you know, the timeframe of the marriage wasn't as important as the whole experience.
- [52:25]
Heather McDonald
That's why I guess I thought it was long.
- [52:26]
Sam Asghari
I'm always super Blessed for the experiences that I had and super blessed for everything that we shared together and even the tough moments that we had to share together with the media and the conservatorship and all that taught me so much.
- [52:43]
Heather McDonald
Did the parents like you or did they think that you were someone that changed the. Had something to do with changing the conservatorship?
- [52:53]
Sam Asghari
You know, I sort of always wanted to support what she really wanted. And for me, it's irrelevant who likes me or who doesn't. Obviously, I'm very respectful to anyone, even if they are, if they don't have a good agenda. But for me, I don't think there was, you know, I don't mean to sound cocky and say, oh, for me, it's not, you know, how could you not like me? It's not the case. It's. It's the fact that I always handled things with respect, so it was nothing to dislike, sort of. And I, And I hope to this day, I'm always respectful and I'm always truth. And sometimes the truth may be difficult to hear, but even when you hear the truth yourself and, you know.
- [53:36]
Heather McDonald
So can I ask you in a respectful way?
- [53:38]
Sam Asghari
Sure.
- [53:38]
Heather McDonald
Did you. And you, you know, don't have to get that specific, but, like, was there a moment where you kind of was like, you know what? It's better that we don't stay together. Like, did you have a moment with yourself where you were like, I don't think this is going to work out. I don't think this is good for.
- [53:56]
Sam Asghari
For me, you know, it. That's everybody's. Everybody has relationships, and relationships are already tough, especially here in Los Angeles, especially in Hollywood, when your relationship is on, you know, on the media all the time, especially when other people have influences, especially when there's, you know, people that, that block certain things and in certain situations. And it's just, it's life, you know, it sucks when things don't work out. But I never dwell on the past. If it's good or bad. I take the experience as it was, and I appreciate the experience, and I loved what happened, and it's a big part of my life. I'm always going to embrace it. I'm never going to dwell on it and never going to speak badly on it. And I'm always going to be thankful for the moments that happen and the experiences that I shared.
- [54:47]
Heather McDonald
Did you read her book?
- [54:49]
Sam Asghari
Yeah. I mean, I was pretty much there the whole time she was writing it.
- [54:52]
Heather McDonald
Oh, that's great.
- [54:53]
Sam Asghari
Yes. Yes.
- [54:55]
Heather McDonald
That's good. So you're encouraging her to do that. Do you want to see it being made into a movie or TV show? Because I do.
- [55:01]
Sam Asghari
I think they're working on a movie and I hope, you know, having three sisters and my whole life goal with what's happening in the country that I was born is everything's women driven. And I always, I love to see women thrive and three of my sisters are, you should see them, they're like, you know, these lionesses and always called women lionesses. I think women are very powerful and us men, we learn so much from them. And I think that story, her story is very powerful, what she's gone through. And pretty much everybody in her life took advantage of her and I think it's a good way to sort of show that. And I hope one day that that's done, you know, with her voice and nobody else's influence. So I'm always going to be supportive of that.
- [55:51]
Heather McDonald
And. Are you dating anyone now?
- [55:54]
Sam Asghari
Yes, absolutely.
- [55:55]
Heather McDonald
You are?
- [55:56]
Sam Asghari
She's in the waiting room. You haven't met her yet?
- [55:58]
Heather McDonald
No. Can you tell us anything?
- [56:01]
Sam Asghari
Yes, I can tell you all the things.
- [56:03]
Heather McDonald
Well, tell us, how'd you meet her?
- [56:06]
Sam Asghari
It's, you know, I wasn't planning on meeting anybody. I was just focused on myself and I think it was a selfless moment of me taking the time to kind of heal from what was happening and kind of setting myself, you know, restarting and kind of like a rebooting my emotions and getting my life together and things like that. Because at the end of the day, divorces, seven year relationship is still a long relationship to adjust from.
- [56:36]
Heather McDonald
Oh yeah.
- [56:38]
Sam Asghari
So I wasn't looking for anybody or anything and that's when the best things happen. And we kind of met one time and we spoke a little bit and then life went on and I came back again and we ran into each other again and it kind of naturally happened. And she wasn't into the entertainment industry. She's not, she's not into entertainment industry whatsoever. And she could sort of care less about what was happening on the media and that's a fresh breath of air because at the end of the day, what you see online and things like that, it's not exactly what it is. And I don't really necessarily like to consider myself as, you know, actor, model, social media, whatever it is that I, that I do, I still have a personal life and I like to keep that private. And it was really sweet to have someone that took me in for who I was as a person rather than a brand rather than you know, somebody that was married to a famous person.
- [57:43]
Heather McDonald
Yeah.
- [57:43]
Sam Asghari
You know, on the media for whatever reason. And that was. That was the best part about it.
- [57:50]
Heather McDonald
You know, it's interesting because when all that stuff was going on and there were all the conspiracy theories. I don't know how much you saw the conspiracy theories, but I was like, you know, fascinating about what people could kind of put together. That there was a body double at the wedding, that, you know, it's not her. And I've met her. Yes, I met her one night with Cade. And now talking to you too, like, looking back at everybody, wondering what was really happening. And it's like, were you aware that those things were going on? That they thought like, there was like a body double? Like, she wasn't the person that you're with. Like, do you. Would you just ever open up your phone and see something like that and laugh at it? Or what was the reaction to that song?
- [58:42]
Sam Asghari
You know, like I said, it's always gonna be when you're as famous as her, you're always gonna get judged on, you know, posting certain things on social media. In her case, she was so suppressed from expressing herself. And if you look at artists, Michael Jackson, I'm talking about, like out of touch artists, that I think some people are born to be a certain thing. And for her, she started showing both child stars. Yeah, child. Anybody that's a child star that. That gets mega famous and they have some sort of a control over them. They're not allowed to express themselves artistically. And for me, the social media posts and everything that went around was her expressing herself, whatever she wanted to do. And it wasn't about what other people said or I could care less. It's not me, it's somebody else posting. She has total control, and that's what it was. I think anybody should have total control. It's ridiculous.
- [59:40]
Heather McDonald
She was posting those things. Yes, because that was the other thing. People always think, oh, it's this media company that's like taking the stuff and it's a filter and then they put it out. I said the same thing. After a while, I was like, no, I think, you know, she gets. She likes to see the response. She likes to do it. She likes to see the likes. I mean, eventually she got rid of the comments, but yeah, it's her way of expressing her stuff and she has fun and, you know, and I think now people have kind of like. I mean, everybody laid off a little bit of like wondering what it is. And what it is is just this is who she is now and what she does in the future and like, you know, it's not. People evolve and change and do other things. So I think it's really that.
- [60:25]
Sam Asghari
Exactly.
- [60:26]
Heather McDonald
Yeah. And so you have done quite a bit of acting and like, tell us what has been your favorite role? What are you excited to get into?
- [60:37]
Sam Asghari
I, you know, I always love comedy. I think comedians in general, as you know, and it takes a certain talent and it's comedic timing is something that you can't teach. You can't teach somebody to be funny. And I have a love for comedy and my favorite things to do was comedy shows. I did Black Monday, I did Hacks and all those things. They're just so fun. It doesn't feel real. It doesn't feel like.
- [61:02]
Heather McDonald
I thought you were in Hacks, but what was your part in Hacks?
- [61:04]
Sam Asghari
I was the sexy Santa with Jean Smart.
- [61:07]
Heather McDonald
Oh, yes, yes, yes.
- [61:09]
Sam Asghari
So, you know, it was just a blessing to be a small part of that.
- [61:13]
Heather McDonald
And I was in it because you are a personality as well. Do you get offered roles or do you still have to like go and audition or both?
- [61:23]
Sam Asghari
I get offered and auditions as well. Auditions is something that all the actors do every. I was just in a director session yesterday. Wish me luck. But it's, it's something that I love to. I love the process. I love the fact that to put in work into something and I'm willing to do the work that brings back sort of it brings me this high of teamwork. I'm a former athlete. I always love the teamwork aspect of film and tv. I love the fact that it takes so many people to create this amazing thing. And I love that you have to prepare to show something. That's the job of the actor. It's not to show up and just say a bunch of things or offer me this role because I'm good looking. I actually want to be offered roles that have nothing to do with the look whatsoever. So. But comedy is something that I get offered more just because I feel more comfortable doing comedy. And it's something that I love doing. It's just amazing.
- [62:21]
Heather McDonald
Yeah. Because I remember you did like Randall's movies.
- [62:25]
Sam Asghari
Yes.
- [62:25]
Heather McDonald
You did a Randall movie. And that was not a comedy.
- [62:28]
Sam Asghari
No, that's action.
- [62:29]
Heather McDonald
Yes. So you'd probably do a lot of action stuff too with that.
- [62:32]
Sam Asghari
Action is. I don't think action. It takes. There's a lot of talent that takes action. But for me, action was also a thing that I watched growing up because you don't have to speak the language it's one of the most international, which.
- [62:46]
Heather McDonald
Is why those movies. Yeah. Make a. That's why they seem to pick more of those then the smaller comedies, which is the kind of stuff like I like to watch. But it's true. It's like the big blockbuster thing. It's. Because it can be an international thing.
- [62:57]
Sam Asghari
Yes, yes. So it's. It's sort of.
- [62:59]
Heather McDonald
So that's good.
- [63:00]
Sam Asghari
That was for fun. It's always. That's something, you know, I do a lot of stunt training and it comes across really well. Those are fun to make. And we just did another one with John Travolta in Miami and the beautiful state of Mississippi. And Mississippi reminded me of Nebraska, which was cool. But I just love to be on set and doing the stuff. But mostly what I love about acting is what it takes to make a movie.
- [63:29]
Heather McDonald
Yeah. Like all the elements of it.
- [63:31]
Sam Asghari
All the elements of it. You know, you talk about an idea one day and then next day it's green lit and then they're going for it. And then what you read on the script, you're. You're doing. So it's.
- [63:41]
Heather McDonald
You think you'd ever want to direct.
- [63:43]
Sam Asghari
So I think I have to establish being an actor first and then I can, you know, change shoes and put on my directing shoes. But at the moment I'm really focused on just acting itself. I did a couple years ago, I did a creation of this really cool TV series called Glitch. And it's sort of about AI and how new AI is going to be effective in our world. And I've done a few things where I kind of co create and things like that. And I want to build a great team to make those things. So eventually I want to get into. I think that's a part of. Part of the entertainment careers. What's next?
- [64:24]
Heather McDonald
What would you do after you spoke of Arnold? Have you met him?
- [64:27]
Sam Asghari
I've met Arnold, yes.
- [64:29]
Heather McDonald
I would imagine that he was fond of you with your attitude.
- [64:34]
Sam Asghari
I think it was a brief moment. It was sort of. We spoke and what I relate to him the most is the fact that an immigrant came here with such a crazy accent and such a crazy thing and he pretty much sort of started going after his goals. And that just tells you how America could embrace you and how you could sort of become the highest paid actor in the world and you could become governor and you could become someone that's inspirational, that reminds other people that anything's possible. You just have to sort of not be afraid and go after things and rejection is something that's a good thing, and you shouldn't be disencouraged because of the rejections. You could embrace it and get better. And that's what makes the whole story so sweet.
- [65:21]
Heather McDonald
I know you're extremely positive and grateful, but what was one of the most difficult, like, misconceptions that you had to see or read about yourself in the last, you know, seven years or 10 years?
- [65:37]
Sam Asghari
You know, the conspiracy theory stuff? It wasn't difficult because at the end of the day, some things, even if there's truth to it, you got to do what's right and you have to stick to it. It's not, you know, you can care less about what anybody says. You have to do it. It's your Morales. You have to be honest. You have to stand up for its rights, regardless of what other people are saying. But again, you're a human being, so if you see something on the news or you see not necessarily a news, it's just comments and. And things like that, it's very difficult. But, you know, for me also, those are positive as well, and those are some things that I'm not. You know, I don't blame other people for thinking a certain way because the situation is what it is. For example, I went on this show called Traitors.
- [66:30]
Heather McDonald
Oh, yes. I want to ask you about Traitors. You did well on Traitors. Yes, yes, yes.
- [66:35]
Sam Asghari
So because I went on that. There's a lot of. That type of world has a lot of fans, pop culture fans. They love it. Anticipation. And when we did the show, no one knew about it. And when they did the cast, the cast got leaked at the time. And there was. On YouTube, there was a guy that was kind of breaking down of what the cast was like, and he was going person to person saying how he's gonna do. He was Persian himself. And he said, oh, that's the Sam guy. You know, he's dating. He was married to this, and we don't really claim him as Persians. And then after the show came out, they set me up a podcast with him, and when he was kind of talking to me, he was, you know, very. He was like, oh, I'm so proud of you. You're my people. And then I said, wait a minute. You're people? Because you said you didn't claim me. And he's like, no, no, I never said that. You know, I was kind of joking with him. He's got a podcast, he's got a platform. He's got to say certain things to. But even he didn't believe it. Even him watching a certain show and watching everything on the news. Like you said, when you go so deep, you dig so deep. What I love about conspiracy theorists and people that, you know, go so deep into research is they are on a mission to find something. And when they don't find something, they turn it around and become fans. And I don't think he's a fan now, but, you know, it gives him a different perspective. And I think sometimes you can make friends with the enemy. At the end, they will become the best friends of you.
- [68:07]
Heather McDonald
Yeah, that is a great point. Now, let's talk a little bit about traitors. Sure. So they just announced the latest season. Were you on season one or two?
- [68:15]
Sam Asghari
I was on season three.
- [68:16]
Heather McDonald
Oh, three.
- [68:17]
Sam Asghari
So this is the fourth one.
- [68:18]
Heather McDonald
Okay, three. And what did you love about doing that show? Cause I think that would be a fun one to do.
- [68:25]
Sam Asghari
I think everybody's trying to get on that show. That show, it's got a really good format.
- [68:31]
Heather McDonald
Yeah.
- [68:31]
Sam Asghari
And people love to be on. I mean, when I went on it, I didn't really want to get into something gossipy because.
- [68:37]
Heather McDonald
Right.
- [68:38]
Sam Asghari
You know, the whole time it was a podcast about, you know, what we're talking about now.
- [68:44]
Heather McDonald
Yeah. Yeah.
- [68:45]
Sam Asghari
So I didn't really want to get into that, but because the format and because you're in the castle sort of trying to figure out things, that quickly goes away. And it was a fun way to. For me to show myself and show who I really am and show that how far things could take you if, you know, you're just yourself. Especially in a show that you show of strategies and things like that.
- [69:10]
Heather McDonald
Right. Because you discovered, like, a real juicy thing that nobody else figured out.
- [69:15]
Sam Asghari
Sure. But I mean, in that show, you sort of. You go on there a lot of people from reality. That's their. It's a big platform.
- [69:24]
Heather McDonald
Yeah.
- [69:25]
Sam Asghari
So you have to be careful of who you are, and you have to be careful to say a certain thing, not to say a certain thing. You even sometimes say things for it to be popular or for it to go viral. But for me, it was just to, you know, I had a few months off, off of acting things. It was a free ticket to Scotland, and I wanted. I always wanted to go see Scotland. So. And then it was this game, and I figured out, I'm just gonna go be myself. I don't have a strategy. I don't even know what the game is about. Let me just go on there and be myself. So that sort of.
- [69:55]
Heather McDonald
Have you been offered any Other reality show?
- [69:58]
Sam Asghari
Yeah, almost all the other.
- [69:59]
Heather McDonald
Did you get offered Special Forces?
- [70:02]
Sam Asghari
I don't think. I think at some point for the previous seasons.
- [70:05]
Heather McDonald
Yes.
- [70:05]
Sam Asghari
Yes, multiple times. But I think.
- [70:07]
Heather McDonald
Why don't you want to do that?
- [70:09]
Sam Asghari
I do want to do that, but.
- [70:10]
Heather McDonald
Right now, that's so physically enduring. It'd be my worst nightmare. But for you, I think you'd probably win.
- [70:16]
Sam Asghari
For me, I think it's a cool format. I think it's a. I haven't watched it, but the clips that I've seen, there's a lot of people that are not physically. And I think you're in great shape, by the way.
- [70:28]
Heather McDonald
You can definitely do it. Please. I can barely play pickleball. No, I don't think I should be jumping out of a plane, but I have jumped out of a plane with someone attached to me. But I mean, like, whatever. I could do a swimming thing.
- [70:40]
Sam Asghari
Yes.
- [70:40]
Heather McDonald
And I'm not scared of jumping on a plane. It would be like carrying anything or whatever.
- [70:45]
Sam Asghari
I want things that I'm not good at, but. Because I want to not prove myself, but I want to surprise myself.
- [70:50]
Heather McDonald
Okay.
- [70:51]
Sam Asghari
Because I think.
- [70:52]
Heather McDonald
Would you do Dancing with the Stars?
- [70:53]
Sam Asghari
I think I would do it before I was afraid, because if you know me, I'm as limber as. This couch is actually pretty limber. But that table right there. So it would have to take a lot of stretching, Pilates, and many other things.
- [71:10]
Heather McDonald
But if you're on Dash of the Stars, I'm just going to say, you know, the first song would be like a Britney song, you know, and then you'd have to dance to that, which is fine. But you didn't embrace it. You'd say, it's an opportunity. I'm grateful. Right.
- [71:21]
Sam Asghari
As long as I can dance. As long as I can, you know, get my instrumental, you know, rhythm together. Because it takes a rhythm. And me being Persian Persians, love to dance. I. I'm not a dancer whatsoever. I can do many other things, but. But again, it's a cool way to sort of test the abilities.
- [71:40]
Heather McDonald
Yeah.
- [71:40]
Sam Asghari
Yeah. Maybe there is a ballerina in me.
- [71:43]
Heather McDonald
Yeah, I think that would be a good one. So what's your next thing that we should look for?
- [71:49]
Sam Asghari
We're doing a few projects at the end of summer, which I'm really excited about. It's an acting project. I will be announcing those soon as well. But this past year has just been a blessing of really focus on acting. Really focus on what's out there. What's the second phase of my career? I'm in Phase two of my career, as you can see, I'm growing out my hair, the beard and all that stuff.
- [72:13]
Heather McDonald
And you're doing that just to have. Just to get different looks going.
- [72:16]
Sam Asghari
No, we have a project coming up.
- [72:18]
Heather McDonald
That's why I'm growing up. You'll have to tell me off camera.
- [72:21]
Sam Asghari
Yeah. So it's very exciting. Part of my life, and for me, you know, this is fun. And for me, it takes a lot of hard work. And as much as I am humble in my personal life, my goals in the entertainment industry are not humble whatsoever. And for that reason being, I think what really helps me out to go about life is the fact that these things are, you know, I don't find entertainment is hard. It takes a lot of hard work. A lot of people are working very hard, and it's a lot of people that takes to make a project. But at the end of the day, it's not a real job. It's for fun. It's what we dreamt of doing, and we're living our dreams. The real jobs are nurses and doctors and firefighters and policemen are those people that are, without them that we wouldn't have a world. And like we said earlier, the country that I was born in is in desperate times right now. They're getting attacked by their own regime. They're getting bombed from, you know, all over the place. My dad I haven't spoke to in four days. I'm just waiting for a text. So it's those that ground me and makes me realize what is, you know, important. And should I be worried about an audition or should I do my best and walk in there and just sort of have fun and be myself and walk out of it and not worry about it whatsoever. So I think the experience in my life, whether if it was moving here, whether if it was playing a certain sport, whether if it was being away from my family, if it was being in a relationship for seven years in a situation that was, you know, one of the strangest Hollywood stories, I would say. And what is to come now, which I personally, I don't think I've even started yet, is just a blessing. And, you know, the good or bad, I'm never going to dwell on them. I'm going to embrace it. I'm going to not be afraid of aging, and I'm just going to have fun and I'm just going to embrace life as it is.
- [74:33]
Heather McDonald
Well, I'm really glad you came by.
- [74:35]
Sam Asghari
Yes.
- [74:35]
Heather McDonald
I'll be honest. I didn't think you'd be as forthcoming and honest as you were. And you're a delight. And I, I see a lot of success in your future because you are so determined and you're right. You've got to ask for the job. You got to say, this is what I want to do. And you clearly know that. And I pray for your family and your country and that things will get resolved and everyone is safe. And thank you for coming on Juicy Scoop. This was great. Thank you. And this is your Instagram. Is that the best place for people to follow you? I know you already have a lot of followers, but. So it's just your name?
- [75:15]
Sam Asghari
Yeah, it's just.
- [75:16]
Heather McDonald
Look at that. What was that ad for?
- [75:19]
Sam Asghari
That was just the photo shoot that we did for a couple of magazines. That was one of the pictures they didn't choose, which was cool.
- [75:26]
Heather McDonald
Very nice. Well, thank you so much.
- [75:28]
Sam Asghari
Thank you so much.
- [75:30]
Heather McDonald
This episode of Juicy Scoop is brought to you by booking.com, booking. Yeah. Whether you're booking for yourself, your partner, your picky teens or or your sleep light mother in law, you can find exactly what you're booking for on booking dot com. What I really love about a vacation is at the end of it, you all had a great time because you chose the right place. So if my family can find the perfect stay on booking.com, anyone can find exactly what you're booking for. Booking.com booking. Yeah. Book today on the site or in the app.