Britney Spears Says Her 2002 ‘Crossroads’ Role Was ‘Messed Up’

Pop star Britney Spears is looking back at her role in the 2002 film “Crossroads.”

The movie tells the story of three childhood friends: Lucy (Britney Spears), Kit (Zoë Saldana), and Mimi (Taryn Manning). After eight years apart, the trio rediscovered their friendship on a cross-country trip.

“Crossroads” originally premiered in 2002 and grossed $61 million globally despite negative reviews at the time. However, it has since become a cult classic and is headed back to theaters for two days – October 23 and October 25 – for a global fan event focused on the release of her new memoir, “The Woman In Me.”

It appears that the pop star had a difficult time separating herself from her “Crossroads” character in the 2002 movie. In an excerpt from her memoir “The Woman In Me” released on Tuesday, People magazine revealed that it was disorienting for her to separate herself from her character while “method acting” for the role.

"The experience wasn’t easy for me. My problem wasn’t with anyone involved in the production but with what acting did to my mind," Britney wrote in her memoir. "I think I started Method acting — only I didn’t know how to break out of my character. I really became this other person. Some people do Method acting, but they’re usually aware of the fact that they’re doing it. But I didn’t have any separation at all."

"I ended up walking differently, carrying myself differently, talking differently. I was someone else for months while I filmed Crossroads. Still to this day, I bet the girls I shot that movie with think, She’s a little…quirky. If they thought that, they were right,” she continued.

Once she finished her role in “Crossroads,” the pop star decided that she did not want to pursue acting anymore. Instead, she decided to focus on her glowing music career, describing acting as an “occupational hazard” that she was not interested in pursuing.

"That was pretty much the beginning and end of my acting career, and I was relieved," she wrote. "I imagine there are people in the acting field who have dealt with something like that, where they had trouble separating themselves from a character."

"I hope I never get close to that occupational hazard again. Living that way, being half yourself and half a fictional character, is messed up. After a while you don’t know what’s real anymore,” she added.

The film was directed by Tamra Davis and written by Shonda Rhimes. “I recently rewatched ‘Crossroads’ and was so enthralled with the time capsule of nostalgia that this incredible ensemble cast brings to the screen,” director Tamra Davis said in a statement.

“Britney is absolutely breathtaking to watch, and Shonda is showing us her early expertise in writing complicated female characters,” Davis continued. “We had the best time in the world making this picture and the connection the actresses bring to their performances shows in every frame. I’m so grateful that ‘Crossroads’ will be available so people can see Britney shine again.”

Not only will the “Crossroads” movie play in 875 locations across 24 countries on October 23 and October 25, but, according to Variety, the new screening will include a bonus sing-along portion of two of the pop star’s songs that were part of the movie but have never been seen on the big screen.

The re-release will also include a limited edition “Crossroads” merchandise line featuring shirts, sweatpants, jackets, and recreations of apparel worn by cast members in the film.

Britney's memoir, "The Woman In Me" is scheduled for release on October 24, 2023.