Meet the teen who snapped a selfie with Justin Timberlake during the Super Bowl halftime show

"I’m not going to get that opportunity again, and I just kind of went for it."

ByABC News via logo
February 5, 2018, 12:14 AM

— -- It was the selfie seen 'round the world.

A 13-year-old from Massachusetts stole the show during Justin Timberlake's halftime performance at the Super Bowl LII Sunday night when he nabbed a quick selfie with the superstar mid-performance.

PHOTO: Ryan, 13, snapped a selfie with Justin Timberlake during the halftime show at the Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018.
Ryan, 13, snapped a selfie with Justin Timberlake during the halftime show at the Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018.

"I kind of just jumped in there -- it was crazy," Ryan, 13, who wished to be identified only by his first name, told ABC News. "I’m not going to get that opportunity again, and I just kind of went for it."

Ryan described Timberlake as his "favorite singer." He started out the once-in-a-lifetime encounter by experiencing some technical difficulties, saying, "at first I tried to get a selfie with him, and my phone died, and then it turned back on."

The New England Patriots fan from Scituate, Massachusetts, added that Timberlake "didn't really say anything" during their encounter.

"But I got a picture with him," Ryan said. "It was just so cool. I was speechless."

PHOTO: Ryan, 13, snapped a selfie with Justin Timberlake during the halftime show at the Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018.
Ryan, 13, snapped a selfie with Justin Timberlake during the halftime show at the Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018.

Since the incident, his phone has been blowing up with texts and calls. Ryan revealed today on "Good Morning America" he has gained 8,000 new followers on social media.

"Right after, immediately right after, my phone just exploded," he said.

PHOTO: Recording artist Justin Timberlake performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show at U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis.
Recording artist Justin Timberlake performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show at U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis.

Even though his beloved Patriots lost the Super Bowl -- the Philadelphia Eagles won, 41-33 -- Ryan still had a night he'll never forget.

PHOTO: Recording artist Justin Timberlake performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show at U.S. Bank Stadium, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Recording artist Justin Timberlake performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show at U.S. Bank Stadium, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minn.

"It was definitely a great opportunity," he said. "This is like insane. This is crazy, that I got to meet him and like get a picture with him."

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