From Hollywood to the Real World: The Surprising Journeys of Crossroads Stars

Amidst Britney Spears' rise to pop stardom, she made her big-screen debut in the 2002 movie Crossroads. Screenwriter Shonda Rhimes, who wrote the script before her success with Grey's Anatomy and Bridgerton, fondly remembers meeting the "Circus" singer and being more intrigued by the person than the public persona. Rhimes explained to Vice's Broadly in 2016 that at the time, society viewed Spears through a misogynistic lens, failing to see her as a complex individual. Rhimes was determined to portray Spears as a three-dimensional young woman, rather than a shallow caricature, and was committed to avoiding mean-spirited stereotypes.

Tamra Davis directed the film, which followed three high school graduates, portrayed by Britney Spears, Zoe Saldana, and Taryn Manning, embarking on a road trip from their Louisiana hometown to Los Angeles for personal and professional reasons. Along the way, they discover their individual identities and strengthen their bond of friendship. Despite not having spoken to Britney in a decade, Orange Is the New Black star, who played Mimi in the movie, revealed that they had an incredible time on the set of Crossroads. They shared stories, jokes, and laughter during the months spent in the car on the cross-country trip, which resulted in a lasting friendship. The actress expressed her well-wishes for Britney and her happiness over the progress made in her conservatorship case, stating that she had nothing but love for her former co-star.

The cast of Spears' character Lucy's family and friends included notable actors such as Kim Cattrall, Dan Aykroyd and Justin Long. Long, who portrayed Lucy's lab partner Henry in the film and the person she attempted to lose her virginity to, shared his experience working with Spears. He recalled her being incredibly kind and down-to-earth, a stark contrast to the overwhelming fame and attention she was receiving at the time.

According to the actor from "Accepted", it is commonly believed that fame changes people and they start acting grandiose. However, he was surprised to find that this was not the case with Britney Spears. In fact, she was extremely sweet and normal. This is what stands out in his memory. The movie, which showcased Spears' singing talents with songs like "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" and her rendition of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," recently marked its 20th anniversary in February 2022.

According to Davis, the music aspect of the project was likely more lucrative than the film. However, she also believes that this allowed them to focus on creating a laid-back, independent, and enjoyable road trip film. Davis also shared that Britney has expressed how much Crossroads meant to her and how it was one of the most impactful experiences of her life, which she has also shared with producer Ann Carli.

Scroll below to see what the Crossroads cast has been up to since the flick was made:

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'Crossroads' Cast: Where Are They Now? Britney Spears, Zoe Saldana and More

During the peak of Britney Spears' music career, she ventured into feature films with her debut in Crossroads in 2002. Shonda Rhimes, the screenwriter who wrote the script before her success with Grey's Anatomy and Bridgerton, shared in a 2016 interview with Vice's Broadly that she was drawn more to the young woman she met than the public image of the "Circus" singer. In a society that perpetuates misogyny, Rhimes aimed to showcase Spears as a three-dimensional person rather than a caricature. She believed that reducing Spears to a mean-girl stereotype would have been a disservice.

Tamra Davis directed the film, which depicted the journey of three high school graduates - portrayed by Spears, Zoe Saldana, and Taryn Manning - as they embarked on a road trip from their Louisiana hometown to Los Angeles for various personal and professional reasons. Throughout the journey, they each discovered their true selves and strengthened their bond of friendship.

Despite not having spoken to Britney in a decade, the Orange Is the New Black alum - who played Mimi in the 2000s classic - revealed in an exclusive interview with We in September 2021 that they had an incredible experience filming Crossroads. Spending months on the road together, sharing stories and laughter, they developed a lasting friendship. The actress expressed her support for Britney and her progress in the conservatorship case, sending nothing but love her way.

Kim Cattrall, Dan Aykroyd, and Justin Long were among the talented actors who joined the cast of the film, playing the roles of Lucy's family and friends. Justin Long, who portrayed Lucy's lab partner, Henry, and was the character she attempted to lose her virginity to, shared his experience working with Britney Spears, describing her as a genuinely kind and down-to-earth person. Despite her immense fame and popularity, Long was taken aback by how normal and approachable she was on set.

According to the actor from "Accepted," it is often assumed that fame changes people and they start acting in a grandiose way. However, he found Britney Spears to be different as she was incredibly sweet and normal. The film, featuring Spears' vocals on popular songs like "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," recently marked its 20th anniversary in February 2022.

Davis stated during the milestone anniversary of the film, "I believe the music aspect generated more revenue than the film. However, it also alleviated some of the pressure we felt. Our goal was to create an edgy, independent, female-driven road trip movie, rather than a polished, generic film." She added, "Britney has expressed to me and producer Ann Carli how much Crossroads meant to her. It was a life-changing experience for her."

Scroll below to see what the Crossroads cast has been up to since the flick was made:

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Britney Spears

Britney Spears rose to fame as a member of the All New Mickey Mouse Club alongside some of today’s biggest names in pop music. Her debut album, …Baby One More Time, was a smash hit, catapulting her to the top of the charts and earning her a legion of devoted fans. With subsequent albums like Oops!… I Did It Again, Britney continued to dominate the pop scene, earning critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. In 2005, she finally took home her first Grammy, solidifying her status as one of the most iconic female artists of her generation.

After her brief marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander was annulled in 2004, Britney Spears quickly moved on to marry backup dancer Kevin Federline less than a year later. The couple went on to have two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden, before ultimately divorcing in 2006. As the pop star's personal struggles and divorce made headlines, her father Jamie Spears became her conservator, gaining control over her person and estate for 13 years until the conservatorship was terminated in November 2021.

Spears, born in Louisiana, became engaged to Sam Asghari in September 2021. Unfortunately, they later revealed that they had experienced a miscarriage in May 2022. Despite this heartbreaking setback, the couple married just one month later.

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Anson Mount

In the teen comedy Crossroads, the Tennessee native portrayed Ben, who played the love interest of Spears' character and drove Lucy, Mimi, and Kit to California. Before his breakout role, Mount had made appearances in singular episodes of Sex and the City and Ally McBeal, and acted alongside Robert DeNiro in City by the Sea. He has since worked on various TV shows, including The Mountain, Line of Fire, Conviction, Hell on Wheels, and Inhumans. Mount also reprised his Inhumans role as Black Bolt in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2022. He tied the knot with photographer Darah Trang in February 2018, and the couple shares a daughter named Clover.

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Zoe Saldana

After her breakout role as Kit in Crossroads, the talented actress from New Jersey went on to showcase her skills in Center Stage and Drumline. She then took on iconic roles in blockbuster movies such as Neytiri in Avatar and Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.

She wed Italian artist Marco Perego in June 2013 before they welcomed twin sons Cy and Bowie and son Zen.

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Taryn Manning

Manning, known for her portrayal of pregnant teenager Mimi, had a successful acting career prior to her role as Tiffany “Pennsatucky" Doggett in Netflix’s OITNB. Her previous work includes notable performances in 8 Mile, Hustle & Flow, and Redemption Road. Manning continued to act after the show's conclusion in 2019, appearing in Last Call, The Gateway, and Every Last One of Them. However, in September 2021, it was confirmed that Manning and her fiancée, Anne Cline, had ended their engagement.

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Dan Aykroyd

The Saturday Night Live alum played Lucy’s overprotective father in Crossroads. He also appeared in Ghostbusters, The Blues Brothers, Driving Miss Daisy and My Girl.

Aykroyd tied the knot with Donna Dixon in 1983 and together they had three daughters - Danielle (who performs under the stage name Vera Sola), Belle, and Stella. However, in April 2022, the actor known for his role in 50 First Dates, announced that he and Dixon had decided to separate.

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Kim Cattrall

The actress, who hails from Canada, is most recognized for portraying the character of Samantha Jones, a publicist, in the hit TV series Sex and the City and its two movie adaptations. Although Cattrall declined to reprise her role in the show's first season of the And Just Like That reboot in 2021, she has continued to make appearances on screen. Some of her recent acting credits include Ice Princess, Tell Me a Story, Filthy Rich, and How I Met Your Father.

Throughout her life, Cattrall has been married three times, with her previous spouses being Andre Lyson and Larry Davis. Her last marriage was to Mark Levinson. Additionally, she was romantically involved with Canadian chef Alan Wyse, who was 20 years her junior, for four years before their relationship ended in July 2009.

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Justin Long

Justin Long, originally from Connecticut, played the role of Lucy's school friend Henry and has also showcased his acting skills in popular movies like Jeepers Creepers, Herbie Fully Loaded, Alvin and the Chipmunks, He’s Just Not That Into You, and TV shows like New Girl and The Wave. He is also known for hosting the "Life is Short with Justin Long" podcast, where he interviews various celebrity guests.

He had a romantic relationship with Drew Barrymore, his co-star in Going the Distance, but they parted ways in 2010. He was then in a relationship with Amanda Seyfried for almost three years, from 2013 to 2015. In January 2022, it was confirmed that he is currently dating Kate Bosworth and they got engaged almost a year later.

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Jamie Lynn Spears

Jamie Lynn Spears, who stars in Sweet Magnolias, is the younger sibling of the pop icon, Britney Spears. She landed the role of Young Lucy in Crossroads' flashback scene. Her performance led to her becoming a prominent cast member on Nickelodeon's All That and Zoey 101. Jamie Lynn went on to welcome her first child, daughter Maddie, in June 2008 with her then-boyfriend, Casey Aldridge. The couple eventually split in 2010, and Jamie Lynn moved on with Jamie Watson. The couple tied the knot in March 2014 and welcomed their daughter, Ivey, in April 2018. She is also an accomplished author, with her book, The Things I Never Said.