20 Secrets About Britney Spears' Film Crossroads Revealed

Not a girl, not yet a woman.

In the year 2002, when she was only 21 years old, Britney Spears, who was then globally recognized as a top pop star, was about to embark on another significant phase of her life, moving towards becoming a leading actress.

Following decades of fans urging her for more, the iconic “…Baby One More Time” marked Britney Spears’ acting debut as the virtuous character Lucy, in the film Crossroads, released on Feb. 15. This coming-of-age story follows the journey of three childhood friends embarking on a road trip to find themselves, ultimately rekindling their friendship along the way.

Assisting Spears in her debut on the big screen were Zoe Saldaña (fresh from her film premiere as one of the top dancers at the American Ballet Academy!), Taryn Manning who played her friends, Anson Mount who was persuaded to portray her love interest by an Oscar-winning admirer of the singer, and Shonda Rhimes.

Wow, you didn’t realize that the mastermind behind “Greys Anatomy” penned the script for “Crossroads”? That’s an intriguing tidbit from the movie’s production, a fact that I find absolutely fascinating! It might surprise you to learn that this movie, which generated a whopping $61 million at the box office, managed to drop some truth bombs along the way too.

In the movie, Lucy points out that none of us can predict our future paths since all we truly possess is the present moment. At this very instant, we share something special – each other.

Despite her single significant acting role being Spears’, director Tamra Davis found her captivating to observe in 2023, expressing to Variety that they enjoyed an incredible experience creating this film. The genuine bond between the actresses is palpable in each scene, enhancing their performances across every frame.

Get ready to crank up the tunes, pack some travel treats, as we’re embarking on a nostalgic journey in our car. Let’s uncover 20 fascinating facts about Crossroads that may have escaped your notice!

1. The original title was What Friends Are For.

2. Shonda Rhimes, renowned for producing hit TV shows like “Greys Anatomy”, “Scandal”, and “How to Get Away With Murder” after their creation, penned the script with the aim of portraying Britney Spears as a genuine individual instead of just a tabloid subject.

In 2016, Rhimes shared with Vice that he found the young woman he met far more intriguing than the stereotypes surrounding her. He felt that at that time, people weren’t seeing her as an individual due to societal misogyny. The possibility of presenting her as a complex, three-dimensional character was appealing to him. It would have been a mistake to mock her or reduce her to a cliché.

3. At Crossroads marked Britney Spears’ debut in a significant film role, MTV Films initially had plans for a different starrer featuring her: A modernized musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, which was intended to co-star *NSYNC and other popular musicians from the era.

4. The movie creators chose relatively less famous actresses, Taryn Manning and Zoe Saldaña, to portray Spears’ on-screen closest friends. In fact, Saldaña had to rely on her agent’s frequent flyer miles to attend an in-person audition following a poor performance during the taped tryout.

5. Anson Mount was chosen by Spears to portray her on-screen romantic partner, a role he initially showed no interest in. However, it was his co-star from “City By the Sea,” none other than Robert De Niro, who persuaded him to try out for the part.

At a 2002 press conference, Mount explained that during filming breaks, he was perusing [the script] for the movie, which featured Britney Spears. He recalled that Bob approached him and asked, “What are you up to?” To which he replied, “Oh, it’s this movie, but I don’t know if I’ll be a part of it. I’m just reading through it.” Bob then said, “Why not? She’s terrific.” So, he shared the script with Bob, and Bob read through Britney Spears’ lines to my character, Ben.

6. During the making of the road trip film, the leading actors formed strong connections, as Rhimes put it, “Spears was extremely upbeat and enjoyable.

Rhimes shared in 2016 that the experience was unlike touring and performing – it offered the opportunity to remain in one place and interact consistently with a particular group of people. This was reportedly her friend’s first instance of socializing primarily with peers. While on tour, she was accompanied by a team, but this time it was her, Taryn, Zoe, and Anson – a group of friends around the same age. They seemed to have enjoyed each other’s company.

8. As a seasoned lifestyle advisor, I find it fascinating to share insights from my personal experiences. In my line of work, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with industry veterans like Tamra Davis, known for her comedic masterpieces such as “Half Baked” and “Billy Madison.” Interestingly, one of the key reasons Tamra was brought onboard for a project was due to her gender. Film producers were particularly keen on having a female director because this film was Britney’s debut, and they wanted to ensure she received the utmost protection and care during production.

8. Spears requested just two specific food items on-set: tuna Lunchables and edamame.

9. Producer Ann Carli disclosed to Vice that Spears additionally requested the production team to arrive an hour early to allow her time for a personal Starbucks trip. When Carli suggested having her coffee ready, she remembered Spears responding, “That’s fine. I actually enjoy going in and having the choice myself.

10. Kim Cattrall was chosen to play Lucy’s missing mother, following the discovery that Spears was an ardent admirer of ‘Sex and the City’.

Davis shared in a 2002 episode of MTV’s Making the Movie, “We brought up well-known actresses to Britney, and she was quite engaged with the casting process as well. When we mentioned ‘Kim Cattrall,’ her reaction was something like, ‘Oh my goodness, I adore Sex and the City! It’s my favorite show, and I watch it with all my friends.’

11. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times back in 2020, it was revealed that the maternal character was originally intended for Madonna, according to Cattrall.

To portray Spears’ protective dad, Davis had Dan Aykroyd, known for his roles in Saturday Night Live and Ghostbusters, in mind.)

The director expressed that they were seeking an individual who could combine firmness with kindness, as a strictly tough personality wouldn’t offer enough depth, likening it to having only ‘Mr. Tough Guy.’

Ultimately, it was Britney Spears who chose the comedic actor for the part. In an interview with People magazine back in 2001, Dan Aykroyd shared, “She expressed to me that she and her mother appreciated my work, and then extended the offer for the role.

13. A frequent visitor on set was Spears’ then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake.

Davis shared with Vice that their relationship was simply stunning, watching them interact and how deeply in love they seemed. They were incredibly close, and she was an unwavering supporter of his endeavors. He matched her dedication, working just as tirelessly as she did. It was almost as if they were both engrossed in rehearsals simultaneously, demonstrating a shared understanding of their life together.

Davis shared that Spears frequently sketched her affection for *NSYNC, particularly towards Justin, in a diary while portraying Lucy. He described it as, “I possess the book. All she was writing were ‘Britney and Justin,’ adorned with intricate swirls. It felt like peeking into a teenage girl’s thoughts – hearts, butterflies, and the name Justin.

14. As a nod to Timberlake, the main trio sing along to “Bye Bye Bye” during a scene.

15. Spears’ sister Jamie Lynn Spears played the younger version of Lucy in her acting debut.

16. In a 2002 interview with MTV, Spears gushed over how supportive her co-stars were.

She disclosed that they offered their guidance on various matters, often commenting, “‘That scene was well-executed, Britney,'” she said. Since I’m still learning the ropes, I found it valuable to hear their insights. If something resonated with them, I would exclaim, “That felt so authentic!” We supported each other throughout the process.

17. Though Spears is globally recognized as the top singer, Saldaña described her as unassuming to TopMob News in January 2022.

As a lifestyle expert, let me share an insightful moment from my past. During the peak of Britney Spears’ stardom, I had the privilege to work alongside her. Throughout that time, she consistently displayed a sweet and kind demeanor that left a lasting impression on me. I firmly believe that she has maintained this genuine character even today. I take great pride in witnessing her courageous steps towards self-advocacy. Her journey is truly inspiring.

18. In a 2020 Instagram post, Justin Long, who portrayed Lucy’s friend, shared his thoughts about collaborating with Spears.

In his writing, he recalled feeling slightly anxious when working with Britney Spears back in 2002, given her enormous fame at the time, and still today. However, when Britney introduced herself to him in the makeup room, she came across as genuinely sweet and not at all like a famous person – simply a nice girl from Louisiana.

19. In her 2011 music video for “I Wanna Go”, Spears referenced the film by driving past a cinema with a sign reading, “Crossroads 2: Tougher Turns”.

20. However, there’s a possibility that a follow-up could happen, as Carli mentioned to Vice that some women connected to the production of the movie Crossroads have pondered over it.

In 2016, she mentioned that there had been some discussions, albeit unconventionally, about a possible sequel. Many individuals are involved and they seem quite occupied. It’s hard to predict, but it could be enjoyable. The original cast members like Taryn, Zoe, Britney, and Shonda are all in various stages of their careers.

2025-02-15 18:17

20 Secrets About Britney Spears’ Film Crossroads Revealed

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