When the world of rock and pop collided in a quiet Beverly Hills cul‑de‑sac, the result was a friendship that would later surface on a popular radio show. In a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio, guitarist and former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale was asked to recall a seemingly ordinary moment that turned into a pop‑culture anecdote: a spontaneous swim with none other than Britney Spears.
A Pool Day That Became a Pop Culture Moment
It all began in the mid‑2000s, when Rossdale and Spears were both living in the same gated community. The two shared a backyard pool, and one sunny afternoon the pop star decided to drop by for a swim. The event was so memorable that it was later mentioned in a 2015 interview with Australia’s The Project, where Spears casually recalled, “I went swimming with Gavin Rossdale.” That simple statement would become a talking point on Page Six Radio, prompting host Evan Real to ask Rossdale if he remembered the day.
Rossdale’s response was immediate and enthusiastic. “Of course, how could you forget that?” he laughed. He described Spears as “lovely” and “amazing,” adding that she was a great swimmer. The conversation highlighted how a casual neighborly interaction can ripple into a piece of pop‑culture lore, especially when the participants are high‑profile celebrities.
Living Next Door in Beverly Hills: The Summit Community
The setting for this unlikely friendship was The Summit, a gated enclave in Beverly Hills known for its luxury homes and celebrity residents. In 2007, both Rossdale and Spears called the area home. While Rossdale was still navigating the early stages of his solo career, Spears was solidifying her status as a pop icon.
Neighbors in such communities often share more than just a street name. They exchange holiday cards, host joint gatherings, and sometimes, as in this case, share a backyard pool. Rossdale’s recollection of the day paints a picture of a relaxed, friendly atmosphere: “We were neighbors and so she came around when the kids were small and she was a real character.” The phrase “real character” hints at Spears’ vibrant personality, which Rossdale found endearing.
Family Connections and Friendly Exchanges
Beyond the pool, the two families also found common ground. Rossdale’s sons—Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo—were raised with the same sense of community that Spears’ sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, enjoyed. When asked by Real if the children ever played together, Rossdale joked that they were “too busy chatting with Britney.” The light‑hearted exchange underscores how celebrity families often intersect in everyday ways.
Rossdale’s relationship with Spears extended beyond the pool. In interviews, he has mentioned that he would love to collaborate with Gwen Stefani, Spears’ former husband, noting that “she’s actually my next‑door neighbor in Los Angeles for a while.” This anecdote illustrates how interconnected the entertainment world can be, with personal and professional lines frequently overlapping.
Key Moments from the Neighborly Encounter
- 2007: Rossdale and Spears become neighbors in The Summit.
- Mid‑2000s: Spears drops by for a spontaneous swim with Rossdale.
- 2015: Spears mentions the swim in an interview with The Project.










