Popular influencer Sami Clarke and her spouse, JT Barnett, have decided to end their marriage after a brief period of less than one year.
In a heartfelt message shared on Sunday, October 5, via her Instagram Stories, Clarke stated, “As I embark on a new journey apart from JT, my life is undergoing significant changes. It’s incredibly challenging to express how difficult this decision is, but I believe it’s the right choice for my growth.”
She further expressed, “I will always cherish the love and memories we created over the past eight years. Thank you for respecting our need for privacy as we navigate this transition.”
The couple exchanged vows in La Quinta, California, in November 2024, celebrating what they called, “the best day of our lives,” in a joint Instagram post featuring snapshots from their wedding. They wrote, “We are THE BARNETT’s. 11.16.24 💖❤️💗.”
The couple’s love story began when Barnett reached out to Clarke, who boasts over 600,000 followers on Instagram, through social media.
“He slid into my DMs after commenting on a photo of my baptism, and what started as friendly banter developed into something significant,” Clarke recounted on Shona Joy’s website after their wedding. “At that time, he was playing hockey in Russia while I was chasing my modeling dreams. We remained friends for a year before meeting in person when he visited LA.”
Clarke remarked that their first in-person encounter was “magical,” describing how they “talked non-stop for five hours on a rooftop, and by the end, we both recognized that this was something special.” The influencer claimed that their initial date “set the stage for what evolved into the most beautiful partnership.”
When Barnett proposed, Clarke admitted that the gesture caught her completely off guard.
“He collaborated with my management team to orchestrate a fake job opportunity I couldn’t resist—a couples’ photoshoot for a brand,” she explained. “When I got to the shoot, he proposed! To make it even more memorable, he arranged for both our families to join us in celebrating the moment. It was thoughtful, heartfelt, and perfectly us—one of my life’s greatest days.”
Following their wedding, Clarke frequently shared her admiration for her relationship with Barnett. On Valentine’s Day, she posted a photo of them on an ice rink with the caption, “Happy Valentine’s Day @jtbarnett. Full circle moment, cheering you on from the sidelines while playing the sport where I first met you eight years ago! Love you so much.”
However, just last month, Clarke hinted at a shift in her thoughts with a cryptic Instagram message. In a selfie shared in September, she wrote, “Healing isn’t just about coping with the tough times; it’s also about letting in the good moments.”
“I’ve come to realize that even after years of personal growth and healing, my body sometimes feels more secure in heavier emotions than in joy,” Clarke elaborated in her caption. “When I attempt to share something positive, I hear a voice asking, ‘Are you not being truthful if you avoid acknowledging your struggles too?’”
Clarke committed to continue sharing her journey, embracing both “the highs and lows throughout life.” She concluded, “It’s essential to understand that joy doesn’t negate the struggles. Both can coexist. Perhaps true healing lies not in choosing between them but in learning to embrace both sides of life, allowing them both to occupy space within us. This duality is simply being human 🤷♀️.”
