Britney Spears is famous for her songs, her performances, her life’s ups and downs, for being a mom, and for reigning over pop with benevolence and grace.
But Britney also starred in a movie, Crossroads. This throwback photo from the set really takes you back.
Actress Taryn Manning shared a major throwback photo of herself with Britney Spears from the set of the 2002 film, Crossroads.
Sharing the pic on Instagram, Manning captioned: “Thank you for this picture again. Someone took it off a disposable camera I had lol. Always makes me smile:) #crossroads.”
Most of us know Taryn Manning from Orange is the New Black.
Like, even if you don’t watch OITNB, you’ve probably seen a gif of her saying “that’s lesbian activity.”
That’s the power of memes.
And the third woman in the photograph shouldn’t need an introduction.
Even if you don’t think that the Star Trek reboot films properly embody the spirit of the franchise, Zoe Saldana’s naked body is hard to forget.
If you don’t remember Crossroads … let’s refresh your memory.
In the 2002 film, Britney plays a girl named Lucy who reunites with her former best friends, played by Saldana and Manning, and goes on a post-high school road trip that they’d planned when they were younger — before they drifted apart.
Britney’s character is academically driven and a bit of a nerd and also a virgin at that point … so it was something a little different for her image.
The most memorable moments in the film, for me, were:
-karaoke night
-Britney and Justin Long’s characters had made plans to bang but they didn’t, which was devastating to 2002-era me (it was something about having sex for the wrong reasons or something)
-Britney’s character ended up banging Anson Mount, the guy who’s going to play Black Bolt on Marvel’s Inhumans. (but he looked different at the time and is kind of a silver fox these days)
-her character’s dad was a Ghostbuster (well, played by one)
It’s worth noting that Britney and Anson were nominated for a Razzie for “Worst Screen Combo” but also for a Teen Choice Award for “Best Chemistry.”
So … the coming-of-age flick wasn’t exactly controversial, but opinions were clearly divided.
What we love about the throwback pic is that, even though Britney’s looking so young in it, she really doesn’t look that much older now.
And that photo was taken on the set of a movie that came out 15 years ago.
Sure, she’s a little less baby-faced these days, but not all 35-year-olds look so unmoved by the ravages of time.
But then, not all 35-year-olds are Britney.
Also … even though she doesn’t look it, Britney’s old enough to run for President.
Just putting that out there.
We’re glad that neither of Britney’s female costars have faded into obscurity.
Zoe Saldana has the Star Trek movies and Guardians of the Galaxy and is, you know, super well-known.
It was even Britney who told the world when Zoe Saldana was expecting twins.
Taryn Manning’s less, you know, headline-making famous, but she’s starring on one of the most popular shows on the world’s most popular streaming TV platform, so she’s doing pretty well for herself.
Neither of their careers hold a candle to Britney’s, but that’s not a fair comparison for literally anyone.
This wasn’t the only Britney throwback that we’ve come across lately… or did you forget the raw audio of Britney singing “Toxic” that recently leaked?
We sure as hell didn’t.
With everything going for her these days, right down to Britney’s unnecessarily hot boyfriend Sam Asghari, she’s probably happiest in the present.
But it’s always nice to be reminded of fun things from your past, you know?
