Even top celebrities with tons of experience can hit surprising bumps when recording in the studio. Take, for example, Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick’s recording sessions for the animated film Trolls. Their incredible chemistry nearly turned into a recording disaster!

Sometimes, the best movie moments come from unexpected places. In the Trolls movies, the real magic wasn’t just from the bright colors or catchy songs. It came from the awesome chemistry between Kendrick and Timberlake. Their fun interactions and real friendship made their characters, Poppy and Branch, feel truly alive.
Trolls Producers Overwhelmed by Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick’s Rapport

On a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, Justin Timberlake shared a funny story from the set of Trolls. Apparently, during one recording session with his co-star Anna Kendrick, their natural rapport went a little too far. The former-NSYNC member jokingly described the situation:
They had Anna Kendrick and I, who’s fantastic. They had us do a session one time, and we kept talking over each other, cause we were just like, ‘Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,’ you know? And they’re like we can’t use any of this.
Here, the singer meant that their early attempts were a bit frustrating because he and the actress kept talking over each other. This chaotic energy, however, wasn’t a sign of conflict but showed how comfortable they were with each other. Their ability to laugh off the mishaps helped give the film its feel-good vibe.
A Friendship Built on Mutual Admiration and Playful Teasing

Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake’s playful teasing quickly became a highlight of their public appearances. Their antics showed off a real friendship where they felt free to joke around with each other and have fun.
Friends love sharing photos of their fun times together, which is why social media went wild when Timberlake and Kendrick started posting lots of pictures from their trip to the Cannes Film Festival. Timberlake admired Kendrick’s talent in an interview with Collider, saying:
It’s been fun to work specifically with Anna because she’s such a good singer. She doesn’t fancy herself that, but she is.
Kendrick, on the other hand, saw just how talented Timberlake is and praised his detailed notes on the performance. Their real respect and admiration for each other made their interactions even more delightful for fans.
Watch the Trolls on Amazon Prime Video!
Frequently asked questions
Why did Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick’s Trolls recording sessions become unusable?
According to Justin Timberlake on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he and Anna Kendrick had such natural chemistry that they kept talking over each other during a recording session for Trolls. He said producers found those particular recordings unusable, though the mishap reportedly reflected how comfortable the two co-stars were together rather than any real friction between them.
What roles do Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick voice in the Trolls movies?
Justin Timberlake voices Branch and Anna Kendrick voices Poppy across the Trolls animated film franchise, including Trolls, Trolls World Tour, and Trolls Band Together. The article credits the pair’s real-life chemistry and friendship as a key reason the characters felt believable on screen, noting their playful interactions carried over into the films’ feel-good tone and promotional appearances.
What happened when Timberlake and Kendrick tried to light up the London Eye for Trolls promotion?
The article reports, citing Metro, that Timberlake and Kendrick were asked to light up the London Eye to promote Trolls, but the attempt failed due to a technical glitch. Rather than getting frustrated, the pair reportedly turned it into a lighthearted moment, repeatedly pressing the button and laughing together, which became a highlight of their promotional tour.







