Actor and director Justin Baldoni is once again making headlines, 

but this time for a resurfaced interview where he recalls an “awkward” encounter with pop icon Britney Spears that has left fans divided.

The incident, which took place during the January 2017 interview with Fuse,

is drawing new attention amid ongoing controversies surrounding Baldoni, particularly after his involvement in a lawsuit for alleged sexual harassment.

In the interview, Baldoni opened up about meeting Spears when she guest-starred on *Jane the Virgin*, a moment that was a huge deal for everyone involved.

The actress, who played herself in the show, was greeted by Baldoni with an overwhelming show of enthusiasm.

The actor, recalling the interaction, admitted that his excitement may have gotten the best of him. He had previously tweeted to Spears, and after receiving a tweet back from her, he felt as though they had formed a connection. In his mind, they were friends.

However, when Spears arrived on set, Baldoni approached her and gave her an unsolicited hug, which he believes might have startled her.

“I think I scared her,” Baldoni said, acknowledging that he probably crossed a boundary. His co-stars laughed at the situation, but the actor couldn’t help but wonder, “Did I just harass Britney Spears?”

In hindsight, he recognized that his excitement and uninvited gesture might not have been received well by the pop star.

While Baldoni was self-deprecating about the interaction, his choice of words and actions have raised eyebrows, especially given his ongoing legal battles.

He’s currently facing accusations of sexual harassment, making his remark about potentially having harassed Spears seem even more concerning to some.

His casual recounting of the moment has drawn criticism for his lack of awareness about boundaries, an issue that has become a recurring theme in his public image.

Baldoni further explained that despite his enthusiasm to meet Spears, the pair never shared any scenes together.

He speculated that this might have been at her request, revealing that he was “the most excited” about working with her, as he had been a huge fan of hers in high school.

However, he seemed to joke about the situation, claiming that their lack of interaction on screen was likely her decision. This remark, while playful in tone, further suggests that Baldoni was aware of the discomfort his actions may have caused.

Social media users quickly took to platforms to react to the resurfaced clip, with many expressing concern about Baldoni’s behavior. Some pointed out his statement, “Did I just harass Britney?” questioning why he would use such a phrase in the first place.

Others highlighted his comment, “We were friends,” noting that this reflected a pattern of entitlement to physical contact without proper consent or awareness of boundaries.

Some fans also pointed out the context surrounding Spears at the time, which was during the height of her conservatorship.

They suggested that she might not have even had control over her social media accounts, making the interaction even more unsettling.

Spears was under intense scrutiny and control, which could have made her feel uncomfortable and confused when Baldoni approached her with a hug and jokes about their supposed friendship.

On the other hand, there were those who came to Baldoni’s defense, dismissing the backlash as “a total reach.”

Supporters argued that giving someone a hug shouldn’t be labeled as harassment, and questioned whether Spears truly felt uncomfortable with the interaction.

They contended that the incident was being blown out of proportion in an effort to distract from more serious issues.

Despite the mixed responses, the resurfaced interview has sparked important conversations about boundaries, consent, and  celebrity interactions.

Fans and critics alike are debating whether Baldoni’s behavior was a harmless mistake or indicative of a larger issue with his approach to personal boundaries.

As the conversation around consent continues to evolve, it’s clear that moments like this are under greater scrutiny, especially when it involves high-profile figures like Britney Spears.

Moving forward, it remains to be seen how Baldoni will respond to the renewed criticism, and whether this incident will play a role in the ongoing discussions surrounding his legal troubles and public image.