Let me tell you about Mitzi Gaynor, a true Hollywood legend. She started her career working alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment—Betty Grable, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. But it wasn’t until 1958, when she starred in the iconic South Pacific, that her career really took off. At 92 years old, Mitzi recently opened up to Closer about this pivotal moment in her life. “It was such a privilege and a joy to have that chance,” she reminisces. “And to know that it still entertains audiences all over the world—it’s just incredible.”

Playing Navy Ensign Nellie Forbush in South Pacific wasn’t easy, especially since Mitzi was up against some heavyweights in the acting world. Elizabeth Taylor, Doris Day, and Mary Martin—who originated the role on Broadway—all vied for the part. So, how did Mitzi win the role? Well, she had a few things going for her. “I could sing, and I could dance,” she explains. While Elizabeth Taylor didn’t quite have the vocal chops, Doris Day and Mary Martin were considered too mature to play the youthful ingenue role. It was Mitzi’s youthful energy and versatility that set her apart.

Filming in Paradise: Mitzi and Rossano's On-Screen Chemistry

The filming of South Pacific took place in the breathtaking location of Kauai, Hawaii. It was there that Mitzi formed a lasting friendship with Italian film star Rossano Brazzi, who played her love interest, Emile de Becque. “Filming the movie on location was hard work, but it was thrilling at the same time,” she recalls. “I absolutely adored working with Rossano. We had so much fun together. I’d tease him in my best Italian, saying, ‘Rossano, you are the most gorgeous, the most talented, the most handsome man in all of the movies,’ and he’d reply, ‘Mitzi Gaynor… I know.’ Can you imagine? How could you not love that?”

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A Critical and Commercial Success

When South Pacific was released, it quickly became a critical and popular favorite, earning its place as the fifth highest-grossing film of 1958. Mitzi was one of the few actors in the film who performed their own singing, a testament to her incredible talent. Although she went on to star in other films, it was her work in nightclubs, TV specials, and as a recording star that provided her with career longevity. “I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I did if I hadn’t made South Pacific,” she reflects. “It was a defining moment in my life.”