Actor Justin Baldoni has shared a candid and awkward moment from his first encounter with pop icon Britney Spears, which took place on the set of Jane the Virgin when she guest-starred on the show. In a recently resurfaced interview from 2017, Baldoni reflects on the moment that didn’t go as he had imagined.
Baldoni, who played Rafael Solano on the popular CW series, recalled how excited he was to meet Spears, who was a fan of the show. “I know she was a fan of the show,” Baldoni explained in the interview. “We were shooting, and a few of us who weren’t in scenes with her came to watch one of her scenes.” He further revealed that they had exchanged tweets, which led him to believe they had formed a connection. “I had tweeted her, and she had tweeted me back, so in my mind, we were friends, but we weren’t.”
An Overenthusiastic Greeting
Feeling a sense of familiarity, Baldoni approached Spears and went in for a hug, unaware that his gesture might have startled her. “I think I scared her,” he admitted, laughing at the memory. The awkward moment didn’t end there. Baldoni looked around and saw his co-stars laughing, making him question whether he had overstepped a boundary. “Did I just harass Britney Spears?” he wondered aloud in the interview.
While the encounter was uncomfortable, Baldoni’s openness about it revealed his vulnerability, showing that even celebrities have moments of awkwardness when interacting with fellow stars.
Disappointment and Missed Opportunities
Baldoni, who was a huge Britney Spears fan during his high school years, revealed that he had been most excited to work with her. However, his hopes were dashed when there were no scenes written for his character, Rafael, and Spears’ character. “There were zero scenes with Rafael and Britney Spears—probably at her request,” he said. Despite not working together, Baldoni expressed his admiration for the pop star.
Viral Moment and Legal Fallout
The clip of Baldoni’s self-deprecating reflection quickly went viral, circulating across social media, where fans found humor in the actor’s awkward yet relatable experience. The video gained even more attention in the context of Baldoni’s ongoing legal situation.
Recently, Baldoni became involved in a high-profile legal dispute after his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively filed a sexual assault complaint. In response to the media coverage of Lively’s case, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for its reporting on the situation.
The combination of Baldoni’s viral video and the legal drama created an intriguing juxtaposition, further highlighting the challenges of living life in the public eye. While the awkward Britney Spears moment was a humorous blip in Baldoni’s career, the situation surrounding Blake Lively has been far more serious, with many following the developments closely.
A Lesson in Vulnerability
Despite the viral nature of the video, Baldoni’s reflection on the Britney Spears meeting serves as a reminder of the humanity behind the headlines. Stars, just like anyone else, have their fair share of awkward moments, and Baldoni’s willingness to laugh at himself has only endeared him more to fans. The viral moment also underscores the unpredictability of fame, where personal experiences—whether humorous or challenging—can become fodder for public consumption.
As Baldoni continues to navigate his professional and personal journey, fans are likely to continue rooting for the actor, appreciating his openness and humility.
