Before they were Oscar nominees and worldwide superstars, Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake were just a couple of kids plucked from obscurity to star on the '90s rebooted version of "The Mickey Mouse Club." And during Sunday night's Oscars telecast, the old pals -- and former MMC roommates -- reunited for a few brief moments, delivering some dreamy photos for fans of the heartthrobs to drool over.
Gosling and Timberlake first reconnected during the telecast's opening number, when Timberlake performed his Academy Award-nominated "Trolls" tune, "Can't Stop the Feeling!" As the singer passed the "La La Land" star and Best Actor nominee, who was sitting in the front row, he put his hand on Gosling's shoulder; later, during a commercial break, Timberlake returned to Gosling's seat, where the two exchanged pleasantries and handshakes.
It was a reunion that sent social media hearts a-flutter, as fans gushed over seeing the pair together for the first time in years.
Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling started from the Mickey Mouse Club now they're here, at the #Oscars. https://t.co/w2KmsR2vrP http://pic.twitter.com/Yso6Dh8byD
— E! News (@enews) February 27, 2017
Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake have reunited and all is right in the world #Oscars http://pic.twitter.com/502mNxrdV5
— Bustle (@bustle) February 27, 2017
#Oscars Ryan Gosling & Justin Timberlake, the ultimate high school sweethearts. Time after time, from Mickey Mouse to the Hollywood's party. http://pic.twitter.com/g8MK8ApnbY
— Adam MS (@Muh_Sadam) February 27, 2017
Take a deep breath and imagine yourself in this Justin Timberlake-Ryan Gosling sandwich. #Oscars http://pic.twitter.com/kas568nqwI
— InStyle (@InStyle) February 27, 2017
Picture perfect. 😻 #Oscars #JustinTimberlake #RyanGosling http://pic.twitter.com/iR4ENtsQk4
— Airin. (@neire_89) February 27, 2017
Sadly, though, the two stars aren't exactly close in real life. As Timberlake told Los Angeles Times reporter Amy Kaufman, they haven't keep in touch over years.
I asked @jtimberlake abt Gos: "Do YOU talk to ppl from high school? This is like someone from middle school. He has 2 kids. I have 1."
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) February 27, 2017
While our illusions of an epic bromance have been shattered, at least we'll always have these delightful photos.
[via: E! News]