In a surprising turn of events, influencer Sami Clarke and JT Barnett have announced their separation, less than a year after their wedding in November 2024. The couple, who shared their lives with a significant online following, made the announcement via Instagram Stories on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Clarke, a fitness enthusiast and social media star known for her workout programs and nutrition content, expressed the difficulty of the decision in her statement. "My life is shifting and I'm moving into a new chapter apart from JT," she wrote. "It's truly hard to put into words how tough this feels, but I trust it's the right step for me". She also conveyed gratitude for the time they shared, stating, "I'll forever be grateful for the love and memories we shared for these past eight years together. Thank you for giving us space and grace as we move through this new chapter".
Barnett, a former professional hockey player, also addressed the split on his Instagram Story, offering his perspective on the situation. "Hate that I have to post a personal PSA today: Sam and I have not been together for a bit, she chose to step away. I love her," he wrote. He further explained, "There's been no relational issues & no drifting apart… just her own feeling & intuition that she needed to leave". Barnett admitted he didn't agree with Clarke's decision and had hoped for their marriage to continue. "I know who I am, what I want, what I provided and what we were. Our life has been fulfilling, happy & happy," he shared. He also revealed his reluctance to discuss the matter publicly but felt compelled to do so given their public lives. "This is a tragedy, I miss the person I love and this whole thing has been really fkn sad," he concluded. Barnett also mentioned his intention to focus on his work moving forward.
The couple's love story began online after Barnett contacted Clarke after commenting on one of her Instagram photos. At the time, Barnett was playing hockey in Russia, while Clarke was building her modeling career. After a year of online connection, they met in Los Angeles, which Clarke has described as "magical". She recalled spending five hours on a rooftop with Barnett, talking non-stop, and realizing that their connection was something special. In September 2025, Clarke posted a message reflecting on her mindset, "Healing isn't just learning to be with the hard stuff – it's learning to let the good in, too".
The news of the split has generated considerable reaction online, with fans expressing their surprise and support for both Clarke and Barnett. Some eagle-eyed observers had previously noticed Clarke not wearing her wedding band in recent posts and the absence of Barnett in her stories, sparking speculation about the state of their relationship.
Clarke has transitioned into training, earning certifications in Mat Pilates, ISSA Fitness, and Somatic Healing, and building a global community through her energizing in-person sessions and YouTube workouts. Barnett is now finding his way in business & social media.
