Justin Timberlake Broke Up with Britney Spears Over Text Mid-Shoot, So Her Director Gave Her a Choice: Call It a Day or Go Back Out and Make Him Regret It

Britney Spears was 20 hours into filming the “Overprotected” video in 2002 when Justin Timberlake ended their relationship by text, and she went missing from set.

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake together at the NBA All-Star Game held at First Union Center in Philadelphia on February 10, 2002. Photo by Scott Gries / Getty Images.

At the MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 2000, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake appear together. Photo by Kevin Mazur / WireImage via Getty Images.

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake together at the Mann Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the February 2002 Crossroads premiere. Photo by Kevin Winter / Getty Images.

Director Chris Applebaum told the Hyperfixated with Joseph Shepherd podcast that the crew was set up for the final rain sequence when nobody could find her. Choreographer Brian Friedman had warned him he was walking into a bad situation before he went to look himself.

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake together at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills for A Family Celebration 2001 on April 1, 2001. Photo by Kevin Winter / Getty Images.

He found her in her trailer holding her flip phone, the screen still showing her boyfriend’s message ending things. Applebaum told her he understood if she wanted to call it, then offered the other option.

At the MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 2000, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears appear together. Photo by Kevin Mazur / WireImage / Getty Images.

He says she lit up and said, “That’s it. You’re right. Let’s do that.” She went back out and finished the shoot.

Photo credit: Overprotected.

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