Even Diane Keaton ‘Couldn’t Believe’ Her Surprising Connection to Justin Bieber

Diane Keaton and Justin Bieber shared an adorable bond that dates back to 2015, a decade before the Oscar-winning actress died on Oct. 10 at age 79.

The two first crossed paths on a 2015 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, when the Annie Hall icon expressed her admiration for the now-31-year-old “Sorry” singer.

At the time, Keaton’s interview on the show coincided with “Bieber Week,” host Ellen DeGeneres’s celebration of the pop star, who made several appearances on her program.

“Are you excited it’s Bieber Week?” DeGeneres asked Keaton, who replied “Oh yeah! I like that boy.”

“He’s a man now, he’s 21,” continued DeGeneres. Quipped Keaton, “Even better. Better for me.”

DeGeneres then displayed an image of Bieber’s racy Calvin Klein Underwear ads, which caused Keaton to yelp and exclaim, “Okay! That is not possible. I had not seen that. That is gorgeous.”

“Wow, I mean okay. Now we’re talking!” she continued as audience members laughed. 

As DeGeneres showed another photo of Bieber in his underwear, Keaton seemed to get adorably flustered. “That is not possible,” she said.

The host then pulled out turtlenecks — one of Keaton’s favorite articles of clothing — adorned with images of Bieber’s face.

“Are you a cougar? Do you consider yourself a cougar?” DeGeneres then teased Keaton.

“Well I’d like to, except I haven’t had the opportunity, except when I have a job,” replied Keaton, who explained how she kissed costars. To Keaton’s delight — and shock! — Bieber then snuck out on stage to surprise Keaton, who yelled in delight and covered her face in her hands.

Bieber hugged her and she planted a kiss on his cheek. They shook hands, and as Bieber dashed off stage Keaton gushed, “It was really nice meeting you. Bye!” 

The encounter must have left quite an impression on Bieber because six years later, he cast her in the music video for his song “Ghost.” 

In the clip, directed by Colin Tilley, Keaton played Bieber’s grandmother, who’s dealing with the loss of her husband.

At the time, she told PEOPLE the experience was “friendly, open, loose and unique,” adding, “Justin was kind to everyone and his team was perfection.”

In an interview with U.K. outlet Metro two years later, Keaton was still in disbelief that she was asked to be a part of it.

 “I couldn’t believe it. This was like one of those things that happens [and] you’re going, ‘I’m what?'” Keaton said. “And of course, it was so much fun, it couldn’t have been more fun. I can’t believe it. I still can’t believe it.”

Despite her obvious enthusiasm for Bieber during her interview with DeGeneres, Keaton claimed to Metro that she “hadn’t been a fan.”

“I mean, I didn’t even know him. I knew the music a little and I liked the music, but I wasn’t a fan exactly – so you know, I don’t have music pouring in my ears all the time,” she continued.

“I don’t know why me, I still don’t understand,” said Keaton. “I don’t know how, but I loved it.”