Christopher Atkins stated that his alcohol consumption cost him the lead role in the 1984 film 'Footloose,' which was ultimately given to Kevin Bacon. During an appearance at Fanboy Expo Knoxville in Tennessee, Atkins, now 65, recounted that he was unable to attend a meeting with filmmakers due to his drinking. He recalled, 'I was a mess back then... I said ... 'I can't go in right now. I've been drinking and carrying on.' They needed to see me, and I just blew that audition.' Atkins mentioned that he has been sober for nearly 40 years.
Atkins also reflected on his breakout role in 'The Blue Lagoon,' which he filmed at the age of 18 alongside Brooke Shields. He described his initial lack of experience in acting and how he was cast in the film after several auditions. He noted that the fame from the movie was overwhelming at times, stating, 'We were young, and so you're constantly getting this notoriety.'
Despite the controversies surrounding 'The Blue Lagoon,' which included criticism of its depiction of young characters in a sexual relationship, Atkins expressed no regrets about his career. He highlighted his desire to prioritize family over fame and mentioned that he has acted in over 100 movies and television shows. Atkins is currently focused on producing his own film projects.