Myrtle Beach residents, business owners talk about brush with ‘Magic Mike’ stars
Some people in Myrtle Beach still were buzzing Monday after their brush with celebrity when actors from the movie “Magic Mike XXL” were in town last week to film a few scenes.
The movie’s stars – including Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello – were in town Nov. 4 to film the final scenes from “Magic Mike XXL,” which is about a road trip from Tampa to Myrtle Beach for a stripper convention.
About two weeks before the cast and crew were in town, a producer contacted the owners of 8th Ave Tiki Bar and Grill on Ocean Boulevard about the possibility of holding their wrap party there.
“They didn’t really tell us a lot,” general manager and owner Gil Reibenbach said. “They said they were looking for a venue to throw a wrap party and asked us what we could do. ... We sent them the menu and some pictures. Then they said that they were deciding between us and a couple other places.
“One of the production guys came in for lunch and talked to my partner and my partner said, ‘sit down, look at the beach and tell me if you know a place with a better view than that,’” Reibenbach said. “And they decided to do it here.”
He said about 140 people attended the private event and all of the cast members were there, including Jada Pinkett Smith who also was in town to film scenes for the movie.
“It was a really fun night,” he said. “They were dancing. We played some music from the movie. Everyone had a good time.”
Reibenbach said he wasn’t sure how the people associated with the movie found his restaurant.
The cast was in town all day Nov. 4 filming several scenes at Boardwalk Resort, a scene driving a Rolls Royce down Ocean Boulevard and others at Myrtle Beach Fries – a walk-up eatery next to Plyer Park – and on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade.
John Nguyen, manager of Tropical Dunes Nail Salon, said he knew how “Magic Mike” actress Amber Heard learned of his shop on 82nd Parkway – she was staying across the street at Marina Inn and a manager there sent her over.
Nguyen said when Heard came in he thought she was a model.
“She’s tall and thin,” he said. “She didn’t have any makeup on or anything but she was still beautiful.”
He said as he was doing her nails, he noticed she was reading a thick stack of papers.
“I asked her if she was studying,” he said. “She said that she was an actress and that they were shooting a movie down on Ocean Boulevard.”
Nguyen said Heard was in the shop for about an hour, posing for pictures and chatting with other customers and employees.
“She was very down to earth, very friendly,” Nguyen said. “She spoke to us just like any customer who comes in. She didn’t brag about anything unless we asked her questions. ... And she tipped 100 percent.”
One of the final scenes filmed last week took place at Myrtle Beach Fries on Ocean Boulevard, and employee Sharon Allen said it was very exciting to be part of the process.
She was acting as though she was working while inside the building while Tatum, Bomer, Manganiello, Adam Rodriguez, Kevin Nash and Gabriel Iglesias sat on bar stools in front of the eatery.
“It was so exciting,” she said Monday. “It’s the first time in my life I’ve seen a movie star.”
Allen said she wasn’t familiar with any of the actors – or the film, which is a sequel to 2012’s “Magic Mike” – but still managed to snap a few pictures of Tatum in between takes.
“He was standing right there, and then they would play the music from the movie and everyone would dance,” she said pointing to the bar stools. “And [Iglesias] stood right there [at the order window] and he allowed me take a picture of him.”
Allen also said she wasn’t sure how Myrtle Beach Fries became part of the film, but she was excited that she may be seen on the big screen.
“I’ll have to watch this one,” she said.
“Magic Mike XXL” is expected in theaters in July.
This story was originally published November 11, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Myrtle Beach residents, business owners talk about brush with ‘Magic Mike’ stars."