Justin Long Looks Back on Working with Britney Spears on 'Crossroads'

Justin Long is getting sentimental.

The 42-year-old actor took to Instagram on Throwback Thursday (December 3) to reflect on working with Britney Spears on Crossroads.

“Some ‘Crossroads’ memories… I remember being slightly nervous to work with Britney Spears – she was such a massive star in 2002 (as she still is),” Justin wrote. “When she introduced herself to me in the makeup trailer, I was disarmed by how sweet and NOT famous she seemed – just a nice girl (not yet a woman) from Louisiana. She immediately made me feel comfortable, as did Tamra Davis (the director) and @shondarhimes (the writer – p.s. what ever happened to HER???) and, despite having a small part, I felt encouraged to play around and improvise a bit – such a great working environment (they even let me blatantly rip off one of my favorite scenes from ‘Take the money and Run’). I was also excited to work with Eric Edwards who shot some of my favorite Gus Van Sant movies like ‘My Own Private Idaho’ and ‘To Die For’ (we worked together again a few years later on ‘The Breakup’)”

He continued: “Britney seemed to get exponentially more tense (totally understandably) whenever we walked off set with her bodyguard ‘Big something’ (my memory is so bad but I remember really liking him – a massive, warm, friendly, terrifying guy). People would clamor to get to her and paparazzi were constantly lurking behind trees, in bushes, etc.
Years later, when the tabloid frenzy surrounding Britney reached a fever pitch, I remember feeling so sorry for her. Nobody deserves to be hounded and harassed like that – least of all a very sweet person – one who behaved kindly towards a young nervous actor who occupied a much lower rung on the hierarchical ladder of that film set.”

If you forgot, Crossroads was released back in 2002 and starred Britney, Taryn Manning, and Zoe Saldana.

“When I saw the movie, I remember thinking that it looked like I was wearing pantyhose on my head because the makeup people only put makeup on my pasty white face and failed to cover up the rest of my translucent body (probably because it would’ve gotten all over the sheets🤢)” Justin concluded. “Though I personally think it makes Britney’s skin tone look that much nicer – and she was the star, after all, despite not acting like one :) #tbt”

You can read Justin Long‘s entire post on Instagram.