Latest news with #TheBlueLagoon
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wilson finds a new home with FIJI
After 25 years, the world's volleyball, Wilson, has finally been found on the shores of Fiji. In a heartwarming tribute video titled ' Wilson's Happily Ever After ', audiences have been reintroduced to one of pop culture's most unlikely and beloved icons, whose story first captured hearts in a classic island survival story filmed in Fiji 25 years ago. Thought to be lost forever, Wilson has been discovered right where his story began, in the place where happiness comes naturally. Imagining what might have happened after floating away into the vast ocean, the film shows Wilson washing up on the sun-kissed sands of Fiji, where he's embraced by the warm and welcoming local community. There, he's discovered by a young Fijian girl, Lani, who brings him into her world and into island life. The tropical island paradise known for its warm, friendly locals has welcomed the volleyball with open arms, showing him the best that Fiji has to offer. The pair is seen biking through the Fijian forests on the retired sugar cane railway tracks, enjoying kava with villagers, kayaking and splashing around in the crystal blue waters, and, of course, Wilson soars through the air in a game of beach volleyball. Tourism Fiji chief executive officer Brent Hill says that the tribute is a celebration of both Wilson's enduring appeal and Fiji's spirit of happiness. 'Wilson's story is one that has stuck with so many for 25 years,' he said, 'He's the volleyball that broke hearts around the world. So when we realised it had been a quarter century since he was last seen drifting out at sea, we thought what better time to give Wilson the ending he deserves? And not only did he survive, he's thriving, making friends, and even playing volleyball again,' Hill stated. He added, 'The short video is a way of giving fans a little closure and celebrating the heart that makes Fiji so special, where Wilson has found his happily ever after, where happiness comes naturally.' The tribute highlights Fiji's growing role in the global screen industry, with a number of productions taking place in the islands over the decades, including The Blue Lagoon with Brooke Shields, and many TV series such as Survivor, Love Island and Shipwrecked. Fiji's film sector has become a major contributor to the local economy, employing more than 1,200 locals and collaborating with nearly 300 local businesses, while injecting close to USD 100 million FJD during the 2023-2024 financial year alone. 'Fiji is an incredible filming destination with picturesque backdrops, warm tropical weather, and experiences for a range of different traveller types,' says Hill. 'We're excited to celebrate 25 years since one of the first major productions in Fiji, while continuing to grow the industry and showcase Fiji on the world stage.' The latest film also taps into a long-standing online debate: What happened to Wilson? Over the years, many fans have taken to popular discussion platforms like Reddit to debate theories. One user said, 'The scene still hits me really hard two decades later, so I was wondering', with another adding, 'Definitely a death scene. He is lost to the waves.' These theories are lovingly put to rest with a feel-good happily ever after worthy of Wilson's legendary status. Watch the video here:
Scoop
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
25 Years On, Wilson Finds A New Home
Nadi, Fiji: After 25 years, the world's most famous volleyball, Wilson, has finally been found on the shores of Fiji. In a heartwarming tribute video titled 'Wilson's Happily Ever After', audiences have been reintroduced to one of pop culture's most unlikely and beloved icons, whose story first captured hearts in a classic island survival story filmed in Fiji 25 years ago. Thought to be lost forever, Wilson has been discovered right where his story began, in the place where happiness comes naturally. Imagining what might have happened after floating away into the vast ocean, the film shows Wilson washing up on the sun-kissed sands of Fiji, where he's embraced by the warm and welcoming local community. There, he's discovered by a young Fijian girl, Lani, who brings him into her world and into island life. The tropical island paradise known for its warm, friendly locals has welcomed the volleyball with open arms, showing him the best that Fiji has to offer. The pair is seen biking through the Fijian forests on the retired sugar cane railway tracks, enjoying kava with villagers, kayaking and splashing around in the crystal blue waters, and, of course, Wilson soars through the air in a game of beach volleyball. Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill says that the tribute is a celebration of both Wilson's enduring appeal and Fiji's spirit of happiness. 'Wilson's story is one that has stuck with so many for 25 years,' he says. 'He's the volleyball that broke hearts around the world. So when we realised it had been a quarter century since he was last seen drifting out at sea, we thought what better time to give Wilson the ending he deserves? And not only did he survive, he's thriving, making friends, and even playing volleyball again.' 'The short video is a way of giving fans a little closure and celebrating the heart that makes Fiji so special, where Wilson has found his happily ever after, where happiness comes naturally.' The tribute highlights Fiji's growing role in the global screen industry, with a number of productions taking place in the islands over the decades, including The Blue Lagoon with Brooke Shields, and many successful TV series such as Survivor, Love Island and Shipwrecked. Fiji's film sector has become a major contributor to the local economy, employing more than 1,200 locals and collaborating with nearly 300 local businesses, while injecting close to $100 million FJD during the 2023-2024 financial year alone. Beyond its economic impact, Fiji's cinematic appeal is stronger than ever. A 2023 Expedia travel report named set-jetting - v isiting locations featured in film or TV - as a leading driver for consideration amongst travellers, overtaking social media for the first time2. 'Fiji is an incredible filming destination with picturesque backdrops, warm tropical weather, and experiences for a range of different traveller types,' says Hill. 'We're excited to celebrate 25 years since one of the first major productions in Fiji, while continuing to grow the industry and showcase Fiji on the world stage.' The latest film also taps into a long-standing online debate: What happened to Wilson? Over the years, many fans have taken to popular discussion platforms like Reddit to debate theories. One user said, 'The scene still hits me really hard two decades later, so I was wondering', with another adding, 'Definitely a death scene. He is lost to the waves.' Now, these theories are lovingly put to rest with a feel-good happily ever after worthy of Wilson's legendary status. You can check out this video here to see Wilson embracing all Fiji has to offer. For more information on Tourism Fiji, visit About Tourism Fiji: Tourism Fiji is the destination marketing organisation of the Fijian Government agency, which is responsible for marketing Fiji as the ideal destination for global leisure travel. Tourism Fiji has established a presence in seven key global markets. Its activities include advertising, public relations, media initiatives, trade shows, and programs for the tourism industry, as well as consumer promotions to showcase Fiji better
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Epoch Times
Getting the Most out of Your Island Vacation: 5 Tips for Exploring Beyond the Beach
It was a scene straight out of a technicolor-bright dream or 'The Blue Lagoon.' This place was paradise. As I stretched out on a beach chair, book in hand, this graceful tropical spot stimulated multiple senses. The sound of placid waves lapping on the sand while gentle breezes shook the palms above. A warm sun beamed down on my skin, mixed with sea salt carried forward on the winds. And of course, the smell of a fresh-caught fish lunch wafted over from the grill. A very nice day, to say the least. But if you're like me, it won't take too long to ask: What's next? For many, lounging on the beach is the perfect escape for a day, or maybe two. But soon enough, you're more than ready for more. Having visited dozens of islands around the world, I've found that sunny destinations often reward those with the curiosity to explore. From Tahiti and Tonga to Bali and the Bahamas, in the middle of the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Southern Oceans, there's always something fascinating to discover. That is, for those with the will to leave their lounger for a few hours. Here are five tips to get the most out of your next tropical vacation. Get on the Water On an island, this is the purest way to experience things. After all, long before anyone landed here in an airplane, both locals and explorers navigated and approached by boat. In many cases, you'll see the layers of history lining the coast clearest from onboard a vessel. It doesn't have to be fancy. Once, I had several days in Cancún, but after a couple of days on that seemingly endless sand, I was a little bored. So I hopped on the catamaran that skimmed north of the glassy hotel towers to the earthier Isla Mujeres. Along the way, a man in a mariachi suit serenaded those of us seated up on the top deck with Mexican ballads. On shore, I explored both the cobblestone village and Playa Norte. I didn't have time for the ecological preserve—I'll need to save that for my next trip to the Yucatán. It was a surprisingly fun and enriching day. Take a Swim This may seem obvious when you're staying on the coast. But a lot of people don't get far beyond dipping their toes in the water. And so many islands are lined with stacks of coral that are absolutely bursting with sea life, perfect for a snorkel trip that will enable encounters with clouds of colorful fish and so much more. Related Stories 5/18/2024 8/11/2023 And you might want to take it a step further, like I did in Boracay. This small island in the central Philippines is one of the most magnificent paradises in Southeast Asia. It's busy, with a beach that's filled with sunbathers all through the day and tuk-tuks taking you to pedestrian streets that light up at night. Staying for the better part of the week, I decided to get my scuba license—a decision I've never regretted. Really, it's an introduction to an undersea world, from the pool to open-water dives where I met sharks and rays and green and hawksbill turtles. So much better than just a day at the beach. Seek Culture When people think of the Society Islands (which include Tahiti and Bora Bora), they mostly see the picture-postcard views: jagged, lush, extinct volcanoes towering over seas so blue they challenge the imagination. But what I'll always remember most is an afternoon with an indigenous Polynesian guide on the less-visited island of Raiatea. We traveled inland on a small river aboard a wooden boat, listening to his commentary on everything from the natural splendor of the surrounding rainforest to the significance of his tattoos. We were even regaled by time-honored legends and the lilting sound of the man's bamboo flute. This is just one example—no matter where you travel, you can learn something from the local residents. Leave the Beach Many people choose beach vacations because their lives are busy and stressful, and all they want to do is take it easy. I get it. There's truly nothing wrong with that. But even the smallest steps can be rewarding. Take a stroll to see what's down there, at the end of the strip of sand. By walking a couple of blocks from your resort, you might find a good story to take home and tell your friends. Find Culinary Delights (and Experiences) Just eating and drinking can unlock so many secrets. Cooking can do way more. Culture, history, personal stories, and the personality of a place are all reflected in what, and how, people eat. Across the Caribbean, I've heard the narratives of fisher and farmer families in open-air markets. In a Jamaican cooking lesson, I learned about generations of recipes—and those who created them. On a Trinidad tour, I heard about the ingredients that arrived on the trade winds. A fish fry in Barbados was an opportunity to swap stories. I tasted the best because I ventured out. And yes, I ended up feeling very satisfied by a little delicious island exploration. Three Practical Tips Be ready for island time. The pace offshore can often be slower than in the city. Rather than getting frustrated or rushing, just leave enough time so you can relax and enjoy everything. Good things, as they say, come to those who wait—and this is especially true on islands. Prepare to be disconnected, especially in the remotest places. While satellite internet is transforming the whole world, you'll still find corners where communication links are slow or nonexistent. Anticipate delays and disruption. After all, archipelagos don't often facilitate ease when it comes to transportation. Keep in mind that boats will rarely get you there as quickly as roads.
New York Post
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Dallas' star says TV ‘cougar' Linda Gray's prank during controversial kiss left his lips numb
Christopher Atkins will never forget his on-screen kiss with TV 'cougar' Linda Gray. The actor played camp counselor Peter Richards, the much younger lover of Gray's Sue Ellen Ewing on the hit TV series 'Dallas' from 1983 to 1984. The now 64-year-old, an aspiring filmmaker, is currently fundraising for an upcoming project. Advertisement 'They put me and Linda together, and she was the very first cougar,' Atkins told Fox News Digital. 'Our very first kissing scene, which solidified this moment between the two of us, was on a dock at this place on a lake. And everybody's standing there watching. Usually, everybody goes home after their scenes… They say, 'Action,' and we had our moment. We do have our big kiss, we pull apart and they cut.' 'Linda says to me, 'So how was it?'' he recalled. 'I'm thinking, 'What am I supposed to say to that? Oh, it was terrible, let's do it again? What do you say?' I said, 'Yeah, it was good.' And then all of a sudden, my lips go completely numb. She, as a joke, had put on her lips all that… stuff that they numb your gums with before the dentist gives you the needle. Put it all over her lips and gave me this kiss.' 'That was my introduction to 'Dallas,'' he chuckled. 4 Linda Gray attends The 2024 Farrah Fawcett Foundation Tex-Mex Fiesta on October 24, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. Getty Images for Farrah Fawcett Foundation Advertisement The steamy TV romance made headlines in its day. Sue Ellen, who was married to philandering oil tycoon J.R. Ewing (played by Larry Hagman), was depicted sneaking about with her boy toy, USA Today reported. Atkins, 22, and Gray, 43, famously made the cover of US magazine with the headline, 'Robbing the Cradle.' 'I'll never forget, I was walking… at a hotel, and this lady, you could see her, she's staring at me,' he said. 'This woman starts coming straight at me, comes right up [to] my face and says, 'You're too young for her!' This is what it was. And it was robbing the cradle.' Atkins described the cast of 'Dallas' as pranksters — and no one left the studio unscathed. 4 Linda Gray supposedly put numbing cream on her lips before the big kiss. CBS via Getty Images Advertisement 'They were all practical jokers,' he said. 'They were all crazy. They were just fun and nuts.' As part of his sex symbol role, 'Dallas' producers made him wear tiny swim trunks. 'I got a note from the network saying to quit stuffing my Speedo,' Atkins chuckled. 'I was thinking, what the heck is that? I mean, it's sort of a backhanded compliment… I think Larry Hagman or somebody was just [pranking me] because they put me in a Speedo for the show. They didn't have to, but that's what they did. So I think the note came as more of a joke.' By then, Atkins had already stripped down for his first movie, 1980's 'The Blue Lagoon.' He was 18 and his co-star, Brooke Shields, was 14. Advertisement Shields and the film's crew have long maintained that she used body doubles for nude scenes and that her hair was glued on to her body to avoid exposing her chest, People magazine reported. Atkins auditioned for the role in hopes of simply getting bragging rights that he read for a major film. He ended up being chosen from among 4,000 hopefuls. 'I kept getting called back,' said Atkins. 'The last one was with Julie Warner, who was in 'Doc Hollywood' with Michael J. Fox years later. She would've gotten the part if Brooke didn't. I knew the director wanted Brooke Shields, but I didn't know that much about her at the time.' 'I lived on [a] boat off the island [where we were filming]… she hadn't come yet,' he said. 'She had another week or so before she was going to get here. The director had put her picture up over my bed so that I could start falling in love with her before the movie started. That was my introduction to Brooke Shields.' 4 Actor Christopher Atkins, 2015. Getty Images While the film was controversial for depicting the two young characters in a sexual relationship, it wasn't the first time that Shields raised eyebrows. People magazine reported that two years earlier, she starred in 'Pretty Baby', where she played a 12-year-old prostitute. 'The crew were all Australian,' said Atkins. 'Back in the day, all the Australian beaches… were topless. It was very natural and freeing for the Australians… And being on a deserted island, there were no tourists, nothing. It was just us on this island… [And] these two kids, in a natural [and deserted] environment, they wouldn't wear clothes. It wouldn't be something that was in the forefront of their minds, that they needed to cover up.' Advertisement 'As time went on, it just became more and more natural not to have clothes on,' said Atkins. 'The crew made it very, very easy. Randall [Kleiser], the director, made it very, very easy about it. [The scenes] were absolutely important for the film, but it wasn't grandiose. It wasn't something that was there for the exhibition of the film. He really wanted this to be as natural and as real as possible. I understood that and got that.' 4 Christopher Atkins and Linda Gray on the set of Dallas. Getty Images 'By the time I was done leaving that island four and a half months later, it [was] really hard for me to keep my clothes on at a beach,' he joked. People magazine noted that critics loathed the film. However, it was nominated for an Academy Award for best cinematography. The outlet reported that the film raked in more than $58 million, making it the ninth-highest-grossing film of 1980. Advertisement Looking back at his Hollywood career, Atkins insisted there are no regrets. 'I got to a point in my life where I married young,' he said. 'I wanted to be a dad more than chase the business… When I was 16 years old, I used to teach sailing in Rye, New York, to little kids. From that measly paycheck that I was getting, I used to put a dollar away for someday when I had kids. That's how badly I wanted kids. When I had my two kids, I just did whatever came my way, just to put food on the table for them and keep working.' 'I've been blessed,' he reflected. 'I've done over 100 different movies and television shows at this point. Now my kids have their kids, and that's pretty remarkable… I've done everything in this business except make my own film. That's the last box I now want to check off… That's what I'm chasing right now, putting some really good projects together… So there are no regrets.'
Fox News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Dallas' star says TV 'cougar' Linda Gray's prank during controversial kiss left his lips numb
Christopher Atkins will never forget his on-screen kiss with TV "cougar" Linda Gray. The actor played camp counselor Peter Richards, the much younger lover of Gray's Sue Ellen Ewing on the hit TV series "Dallas" from 1983 to 1984. The now 64-year-old, an aspiring filmmaker, is currently fundraising for an upcoming project. "They put me and Linda together, and she was the very first cougar," Atkins told Fox News Digital. "Our very first kissing scene, which solidified this moment between the two of us, was on a dock at this place on a lake. And everybody's standing there watching. Usually, everybody goes home after their scenes… They say, 'Action,' and we had our moment. We do have our big kiss, we pull apart and they cut." "Linda says to me, 'So how was it?'" he recalled. "I'm thinking, 'What am I supposed to say to that? Oh, it was terrible, let's do it again? What do you say?' I said, 'Yeah, it was good.' And then all of a sudden, my lips go completely numb. She, as a joke, had put on her lips all that… stuff that they numb your gums with before the dentist gives you the needle. Put it all over her lips and gave me this kiss." "That was my introduction to 'Dallas,'" he chuckled. The steamy TV romance made headlines in its day. Sue Ellen, who was married to philandering oil tycoon J.R. Ewing (played by Larry Hagman), was depicted sneaking about with her boy toy, USA Today reported. Atkins, 22, and Gray, 43, famously made the cover of US magazine with the headline, "Robbing the Cradle." "I'll never forget, I was walking… at a hotel, and this lady, you could see her, she's staring at me," he said. "This woman starts coming straight at me, comes right up [to] my face and says, 'You're too young for her!' This is what it was. And it was robbing the cradle." Atkins described the cast of "Dallas" as pranksters — and no one left the studio unscathed. "They were all practical jokers," he said. "They were all crazy. They were just fun and nuts." As part of his sex symbol role, "Dallas" producers made him wear tiny swim trunks. "I got a note from the network saying to quit stuffing my Speedo," Atkins chuckled. "I was thinking, what the heck is that? I mean, it's sort of a backhanded compliment… I think Larry Hagman or somebody was just [pranking me] because they put me in a Speedo for the show. They didn't have to, but that's what they did. So I think the note came as more of a joke." By then, Atkins had already stripped down for his first movie, 1980's "The Blue Lagoon." He was 18 and his co-star, Brooke Shields, was 14. WATCH: CHRISTOPHER ATKINS LOOKS BACK AT 'THE BLUE LAGOON' AND 'DALLAS' Shields and the film's crew have long maintained that she used body doubles for nude scenes and that her hair was glued on to her body to avoid exposing her chest, People magazine reported. Atkins auditioned for the role in hopes of simply getting bragging rights that he read for a major film. He ended up being chosen from among 4,000 hopefuls. "I kept getting called back," said Atkins. "The last one was with Julie Warner, who was in 'Doc Hollywood' with Michael J. Fox years later. She would've gotten the part if Brooke didn't. I knew the director wanted Brooke Shields, but I didn't know that much about her at the time." "I lived on [a] boat off the island [where we were filming]… she hadn't come yet," he said. "She had another week or so before she was going to get here. The director had put her picture up over my bed so that I could start falling in love with her before the movie started. That was my introduction to Brooke Shields." While the film was controversial for depicting the two young characters in a sexual relationship, it wasn't the first time that Shields raised eyebrows. People magazine reported that two years earlier, she starred in "Pretty Baby", where she played a 12-year-old prostitute. "The crew were all Australian," said Atkins. "Back in the day, all the Australian beaches… were topless. It was very natural and freeing for the Australians… And being on a deserted island, there were no tourists, nothing. It was just us on this island… [And] these two kids, in a natural [and deserted] environment, they wouldn't wear clothes. It wouldn't be something that was in the forefront of their minds, that they needed to cover up." "As time went on, it just became more and more natural not to have clothes on," said Atkins. "The crew made it very, very easy. Randall [Kleiser], the director, made it very, very easy about it. [The scenes] were absolutely important for the film, but it wasn't grandiose. It wasn't something that was there for the exhibition of the film. He really wanted this to be as natural and as real as possible. I understood that and got that." "By the time I was done leaving that island four and a half months later, it [was] really hard for me to keep my clothes on at a beach," he joked. People magazine noted that critics loathed the film. However, it was nominated for an Academy Award for best cinematography. The outlet reported that the film raked in more than $58 million, making it the ninth-highest-grossing film of 1980. Looking back at his Hollywood career, Atkins insisted there are no regrets. "I got to a point in my life where I married young," he said. "I wanted to be a dad more than chase the business… When I was 16 years old, I used to teach sailing in Rye, New York, to little kids. From that measly paycheck that I was getting, I used to put a dollar away for someday when I had kids. That's how badly I wanted kids. When I had my two kids, I just did whatever came my way, just to put food on the table for them and keep working." "I've been blessed," he reflected. "I've done over 100 different movies and television shows at this point. Now my kids have their kids, and that's pretty remarkable… I've done everything in this business except make my own film. That's the last box I now want to check off… That's what I'm chasing right now, putting some really good projects together… So there are no regrets."
