Connect with us

Entertainment

Francis Ford Coppola Sells His Belize Island for $1.8 Million After ‘Megalopolis’ Box Office Disaster — Says ‘Money Doesn’t Matter, Friends Do

After investing $120 million of his own fortune into Megalopolis, the legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola parts ways with his beloved private island in Belize, marking another chapter in his ongoing financial struggle.

Published

on

Francis Ford Coppola Sells Belize Island for $1.8M After ‘Megalopolis’ Financial Collapse
Francis Ford Coppola sold his private Belize island, Coral Caye, for $1.8 million after suffering major losses from his self-funded epic, Megalopolis.

Even legends face heartbreak — and for Francis Ford Coppola, that heartbreak comes with an ocean view.

The Oscar-winning director behind The Godfather and Apocalypse Now has reportedly sold his private island retreat in Belize for $1.8 million, following the massive financial fallout from his self-funded epic, Megalopolis — a film that cost him $120 million and earned just $14.4 million globally.

According to Mansion Global, the sale marks the end of an era for Coppola, who spent nearly a decade leasing and maintaining the tropical haven known as Coral Caye — a 2.5-acre paradise located about eight miles from the mainland.

“Mr. Coppola was very sad to see his lease come to an end,” Peter McLean of The Corcoran Group told the publication. “He treasured his time on this island paradise, and it was a special place for him.”

ALSO READ : Anthony Hopkins and Charlotte Rampling Unite as Charles and Emma Darwin in The Species — A Tale of Science, Faith, and Love Beyond Death

A Paradise Lost

Coral Caye, once Coppola’s cherished escape from Hollywood, is described as a self-sufficient eco-island equipped with solar panels and water tanks, offering total privacy and serenity.

For years, the filmmaker treated the island as both a sanctuary and a creative retreat — a place where the boundaries between cinema and solitude blurred. But as financial pressures mounted, even this personal Eden wasn’t spared.

The sale, reportedly finalized earlier this month, reflects the continuing ripple effects of Megalopolis, a passion project Coppola had been developing for decades — and one he financed entirely from his own fortune.

Megalopolis: A Dream That Cost Everything

Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Jon Voight, was meant to be Coppola’s magnum opus — a grand, utopian exploration of society, architecture, and morality.

Unfortunately, the film’s box office performance was disastrous. Despite premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival to curiosity and polarized reviews, Megalopolis grossed a meager $14.4 million worldwide, leaving the 85-year-old director grappling with steep losses.

Francis Ford Coppola Sells Belize Island for $1.8M After ‘Megalopolis’ Financial Collapse


Still, Coppola remained characteristically philosophical. At Cannes, he told reporters:

“My children, without exception, have wonderful careers without a fortune. We are fine. It doesn’t matter. The money doesn’t matter. What is important are the friends. A friend will never let you down. The money may evaporate.”

Those words — almost poetic — now resonate even more deeply as he lets go of yet another piece of his personal history.

‘I Don’t Have Any Money,’ Coppola Admitted

In a March interview on the Tetragrammaton podcast, the director candidly revealed that his finances had been depleted after pouring everything into Megalopolis.

“I don’t have any money because I invested all the money that I borrowed to make Megalopolis,” he said. “It’s basically gone. I think it’ll come back over 15 or 20 years, but I don’t have it now.”

This wasn’t the first time the filmmaker had to part with something precious. He previously sold his F.P. Journe luxury watch — valued at more than $1 million — to help offset his production losses.

For a man whose cinematic empire once defined Hollywood ambition, these sales are bittersweet reminders of his relentless artistic spirit — and the cost of creating on one’s own terms.

A Legacy Beyond Wealth

Coppola’s career has always been about risks. From the chaotic shoot of Apocalypse Now to his fiercely independent ventures under American Zoetrope, he has lived and breathed the ideal of artistic freedom.

And though Megalopolis may have faltered financially, many believe time will vindicate his vision. “Francis is one of the last true auteurs,” one film historian commented on X. “He doesn’t make movies for the moment — he makes them for history.”

Even in loss, Coppola’s legacy endures — one defined not by wealth, but by the stories that changed cinema forever.

An Island Farewell

As Coral Caye changes hands, it’s hard not to see symbolism in the sale — an artist releasing yet another piece of paradise in pursuit of something greater.

For fans, the image of Coppola watching the sun set one last time over his beloved Belize island feels almost cinematic. The director who gave the world The Godfather may be facing his toughest chapter yet — but if history has shown us anything, it’s that Francis Ford Coppola always finds a way to rise again.

Entertainment

Olivia Rodrigo Leaves Her Idol ‘Mind Blown’ With Stunning A Cappella Christmas Cover

Teaming up with Jacob Collier, Olivia Rodrigo delivers a pitch-perfect ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ that earns praise from Sheryl Crow

Published

on

By

Olivia Rodrigo and Jacob Collier perform a stunning a cappella version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
Olivia Rodrigo and Jacob Collier perform a stunning a cappella version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

Olivia Rodrigo just delivered an early holiday gift that instantly melted the internet — and left one of her biggest idols completely stunned.

On Monday, December 8, acclaimed musician Jacob Collier shared a video featuring himself and the Gen Z pop superstar performing an a cappella cover of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The stripped-down rendition, rich with layered harmonies and emotional warmth, quickly became a fan favorite — and even earned a jaw-dropping reaction from Sheryl Crow.

“Ok MIND BLOWN,” Crow wrote in the comments, summing up what thousands of listeners were thinking.

Olivia Rodrigo and Jacob Collier perform a stunning a cappella version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”


A Simple Start, A Breathtaking Finish

The video begins casually, with Olivia Rodrigo flashing a heart with her hands and asking, “Hi, Jacob! How’s this?” What follows is anything but casual.

Rodrigo launches into a soft, crystal-clear vocal take on the classic holiday song — originally made famous by Bing Crosby in the 1940s. One by one, Jacob Collier layers in intricate backing harmonies, creating a rich, almost orchestral soundscape without a single instrument.

“I’ll be home for Christmas / You can plan on me,” the pair sing in perfect sync. “Please have snow and mistletoe / And presents under the tree.”

Sharing the clip, Collier wrote, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas with my dear friend @oliviarodrigo 🎄,” keeping the caption as understated as the performance was powerful.

A Classic Song, A Modern Revival

Though “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” dates back more than 80 years, the song has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, even peaking at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021. Rodrigo and Collier’s version feels both timeless and modern — respectful of the original while infused with their distinct musical identities.

Fans praised Rodrigo’s control and emotional restraint, while Collier’s signature harmonic genius elevated the performance into something almost sacred.

Sheryl Crow’s Full-Circle Moment

The most notable reaction came from Sheryl Crow, a longtime inspiration for Rodrigo. The admiration between the two artists has been mutual and well-documented.

The pair first crossed paths at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards in 2022, where Crow presented Rodrigo with Woman of the Year. During her acceptance speech, Rodrigo gushed,
“Sheryl, I am such a massive fan of you and your songwriting… It really means the world.”

Olivia Rodrigo and Jacob Collier perform a stunning a cappella version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”


In 2023, Rodrigo returned the favor by helping induct Crow into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Reflecting on that moment, Rodrigo told Billboard,
“It was an honor to join Sheryl on stage. She’s equally as kind as she is talented.”

Crow, for her part, has been equally generous with praise. Speaking on The Tonight Show, she called Rodrigo “the real deal,” adding,
“She’s a great songwriter. She seems kinda unaffected by all of it.”

A Holiday Moment Fans Won’t Forget

For Rodrigo, who first rose to fame on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series before becoming one of pop’s most defining voices, the performance marks another reminder of her versatility — not just as a hitmaker, but as a vocalist deeply rooted in melody and storytelling.

For fans, the collaboration is more than just a Christmas cover. It’s a meeting of generations, talent, and influence — and a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful performances need nothing more than voices and heart.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Justin Bieber Revisits the Bowling Alley From His ‘Baby’ Era 15 Years Later — A Full-Circle Moment Fans Didn’t Expect

The pop star returns to the iconic filming location of his breakout hit ‘Baby,’ reliving memories from the start of his global superstardom

Published

on

By

Justin Bieber Revisits the Bowling Alley From His ‘Baby’ Era 15 Years Later — A Full-Circle Moment Fans Didn’t Expect
Justin Bieber revisits the bowling alley where he filmed ‘Baby,’ 15 years after his breakout hit

Justin Bieber recently took fans on a nostalgic journey back to where it all began. On Thursday, December 11, the global pop icon shared an Instagram Reel revealing that he revisited the bowling alley where he filmed the music video for his career-defining hit “Baby” — a full 15 years after the song changed his life forever.

“Went to where I shot my music video for baby. This is what happened,” Bieber captioned the post, instantly sending longtime fans into an emotional spiral. The Reel shows Bieber casually walking through the bowling alley, singing Baby a cappella while friends beatbox beside him — recreating the magic that once introduced him to the world as a teenage sensation.

A Casual Look, A Powerful Memory

Now 31, Bieber appeared relaxed and reflective in the video, wearing an oversized gray T-shirt, baggy embellished shorts, a silver chain, and a beanie. The vibe was far from the polished pop-star image of his early years — instead, it felt intimate, spontaneous, and deeply personal.

Justin Bieber Revisits the Bowling Alley From His ‘Baby’ Era 15 Years Later — A Full-Circle Moment Fans Didn’t Expect


Friends and collaborators including Eddie Benjamin, Oranj Goodman, Gabriel Jacoby, and Kyle Massey accompanied him. In one moment that delighted fans, a friend even stepped in to perform Ludacris’ famous verse: “When I was 13, I had my first love…”

‘Baby’: The Song That Changed Everything

Released in 2010, “Baby” was the lead single from Justin Bieber’s debut studio album My World 2.0. The track quickly became a global phenomenon, peaking at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and turning Bieber into one of the most recognizable faces in pop culture.

The music video was filmed at Universal CityWalk and Lucky Strike Lanes in Los Angeles, locations that became instantly iconic for an entire generation of fans who grew up watching Bieber’s rise.

Inspired by Michael Jackson

Back in 2010, Ludacris compared the Baby video to a modern-day version of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” during an interview with MTV News — a comparison that underscored how massive Bieber’s breakout moment truly was.

At the time, Bieber explained that the song and video centered around teenage heartbreak and persistence.

“It starts off, I really like this girl, but we didn’t get along,” Bieber said then. “I want her back, and I’m chasing her around. She’s playing hard to get, but I’m persistent.”

Ludacris Knew It Was a Hit

Ludacris, now 48, recalled having to creatively frame his verse to fit a teen love story.

“I knew it was a hit as soon as I heard it,” he said. “I just had to figure out how I could get on a record with a 15-year-old.”

He famously added, “Mark my word, that’s going to be one of the biggest songs of 2010.”
History proved him right.

Justin Bieber Revisits the Bowling Alley From His ‘Baby’ Era 15 Years Later — A Full-Circle Moment Fans Didn’t Expect


Jasmine Villegas Looks Back

Jasmine Villegas, who played Bieber’s love interest in the Baby music video, later reflected on the experience in a PEOPLE interview.

“I was around 16 or 17,” she said. “I knew he was on YouTube, but I didn’t realize what it would become. I didn’t put two and two together at first.”

From Teen Idol to Global Icon

Bieber’s quiet return to the bowling alley wasn’t just about revisiting a set — it symbolized how far he’s come. From a YouTube discovery to a chart-topping artist who has navigated fame, controversy, marriage, health struggles, and reinvention, Justin Bieber’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

Fifteen years later, Baby still echoes — not just as a song, but as the starting line of one of pop music’s most defining careers.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Euphoria Season 3 First Photos Drop After Four-Year Wait — Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi Return Older and Darker

HBO unveils new Season 3 images as Euphoria jumps five years ahead, revealing adult lives, broken ties, and shocking futures

Published

on

By

Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi return in HBO’s Euphoria Season 3 after a five-year time jump
Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi return in HBO’s Euphoria Season 3 after a five-year time jump

After nearly four years of silence, HBO’s Euphoria is finally back in focus. On Friday, the network released the first official photos from Euphoria Season 3, giving fans their first glimpse at where the beloved — and deeply troubled — characters have landed after a dramatic five-year time jump.

The images confirm what creator Sam Levinson has been hinting at for months: Euphoria is no longer a high school story. The former teens are now adults, navigating careers, relationships, addiction, ambition, and consequences that didn’t fit inside lockers and classrooms.

Zendaya’s Rue Enters a New, Dangerous Phase

At the center of the series remains Zendaya, returning as Rue Bennett. In the newly released photos, Rue appears isolated and solemn — sitting alone in a church in one image, and riding in a truck in another.

Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi return in HBO’s Euphoria Season 3 after a five-year time jump


Across the first two seasons, Rue’s struggle with substance abuse — fueled by grief over her father’s death — defined the emotional core of Euphoria. Season 3 takes that struggle even further.

According to Sam Levinson, Rue is now “south of the border in Mexico,” deeply in debt to drug dealer Laurie, played by Martha Kelly. The new season will follow Rue as she searches for “very innovative ways” to survive and pay off what she owes — a storyline that suggests the show is entering its darkest territory yet.

Nate and Cassie’s Shocking Future

One of the biggest reveals from Levinson confirms a jaw-dropping arc: Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) are now living together in the suburbs — and they’re engaged.

In the Season 3 photos, Nate is seen in a suburban kitchen making hamburgers, a quiet image that contrasts sharply with his violent and manipulative past. Cassie, meanwhile, stands outside a house as an ice cream cone melts in her hand — a visual metaphor for her unraveling emotional state.

Levinson revealed that Cassie is now addicted to social media and obsessed with the illusion of success surrounding her former classmates. He also confirmed that Nate and Cassie will get married before the end of the season, a development that is already dividing fans online.

Jules, Maddy and Lexi Find New Worlds

Jules Vaughn, played by Hunter Schafer, is now attending art school. A new image shows her working in an art studio, with Levinson describing her as “nervous” about her future as a painter.

Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) has moved to Hollywood, working at a talent agency while juggling undisclosed “side hustles.” In one of the most striking photos, Maddy appears fully glam on a film set — a far cry from her high school chaos.

Interestingly, Maddy appears alongside Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow) in multiple images. Lexi is now working as an assistant to a showrunner, played by Sharon Stone, and is seen wearing a “crew” pass on what looks like a large-scale production set, complete with gladiator costumes in the background.

Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi return in HBO’s Euphoria Season 3 after a five-year time jump


The Losses Still Linger

Season 3 also carries the weight of real-life and fictional loss.

At the end of Season 2, Fezco (Angus Cloud) watched helplessly as his younger brother Ashtray (Javon Walton) was killed during a SWAT raid. Tragically, Angus Cloud himself died of an accidental overdose in 2023, and his absence looms large over the new season.

Not all characters are returning. Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat Hernandez, previously exited the show, citing creative differences and a lack of direction for her character. Storm Reid, who portrayed Rue’s sister Gia, will also not return for Season 3.

A Grown-Up Euphoria

Speaking earlier this month at an HBO presentation, Sam Levinson explained why the five-year leap felt necessary.

“It felt natural,” he said. “It allows the characters to not only leave high school behind, but college as well.”

The new photos hint at adulthood without spoiling key plot points — solitude, ambition, domesticity, and identity all quietly woven into the visuals.

If Seasons 1 and 2 were about chaos in youth, Euphoria Season 3 looks poised to explore something more unsettling: what happens when trauma grows up with you.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending