The plot revolves around the two characters, who are stranded on a South Pacific island and end up having a child together, despite being cousins.
The storyline presents a controversial premise, made even more contentious due to the actors’ ages. Shields was just 14, whereas Atkins was around 18.
During a discussion on her podcast, ‘Now What? With Brooke Shields,’ she and Atkins revisited their experiences on the film.
Reflecting on the movie, Shields remarked: “Never again will a movie be made like that ever. I mean, it wouldn’t be allowed.”
Atkins claimed that the director, Randal Kleiser, prioritized nude scenes, and both actors were encouraged to tan in secluded areas to avoid tan lines.
Atkins reminisced: “There were scenes where I was butt naked with you, if you remember, sliding down that slide and things like that. And that was a little awkward, but it was kind of funny for me because at this point in time I would just do it. But your reaction was: ‘Ugh, oh god.’”
Shields also discussed the pressure to develop a real-life romance with Atkins, despite having a body double for nude scenes.
“They wanted us so desperately to fall in love with each other,” Shields revealed. “I did not react well being forced into feeling anything. I hadn’t even kissed anybody by that age.”
These revelations followed her earlier statements in the 2023 documentary, Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, where she said the filmmakers intended to depict her “actual sexual awakening,” although she felt disconnected from her own sexuality.