Facebook/Bou Moala-Liava'a
Ben Volavola and Woodley pictured together on September 29.
Facebook/Bou Moala-Liava’aBen Volavola and Woodley pictured together on September 29.
It looks as though Shailene Woodley has found love while filming her new movie in Fiji. The actress is in the country filming the movie, Adrift. Since October 6, Woodley has been posting ambiguous photos to her Instagram page showing her with a mystery man. Heavy.com can reveal that man is Fijian rugby star Ben Volavola, 26. The above photo was accompanied with a caption referring to Volavola as Woodley’s “kaume’a,” the Tongan word for “boyfriend.”
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Woodley Referred to Volavola as Her ‘Pillar’ in One Instagram Post
Facebook/Shailene Woodley
On October 6, Woodley posted her first photo with Volavola (above). In the caption, Woodley wrote, “Pillars. Are. Everything. #Pleaseshowupforsomeonetoday.” It wasn’t until October 16 when Woodley would post another photo of the pair having a picnic overlooking some cliffs. Woodley wrote, “Trust,” as the caption.
Woodley’s last photo shows her in a hot tub close to the coastline. In the caption, Woodley wrote:
Finding ways to celebrate small moments and breath, amidst spiraling chaos and wholesome fears, is a great contribution towards the revitalized health of our mental collective. #Whatcanyoucelebratetodaynomatterhowdifficult.”
A report from New Zealand quoted a witness who saw Woodley at one of Volavola’s games saying, “Shailene was sitting in the stands with two girlfriends while Ben played and went wild when they won. She was obviously really proud of him. Apparently she’s been to lots of games this season.”
2. Until Recently, Volavola Was Dating Photographer Jacqueline Wieser
Facebook/Jacqueline WieserVolavola pictured with his ex-girlfriend Jacqueline Wieser.
According to social media posts, Volavola was, until recently, dating a Fiji-based photographer named Jacqueline Wieser. According to her official website, Wieser was born in Fiji to a Swiss father and an Indian mother. Wieser wrote of Volavola on the site:
My partner is the love of my life, my soulmate and best friend. His love saved my soul. Still going strong after 6 years.
At the time of writing, Wieser hasn’t updated her website since May 2017 and her Facebook and Twitter pages have been deleted.
3. Despite Being Born in Australia, Volavola Represents Fiji at International Level
Volavola was born in Sydney, Australia, but represents Fiji at international level. The fly half also plays in New Zealand for North Harbor, a professional rugby team based in Auckland. Volavola will represent Fiji when they play Ireland, Italy and Canada in their northern tour in November 2017. The Fiji Sun reports that Volavola was born in Australia, moved to Fiji as a baby but then moved back to the land down under when he was eight years old.
Volavola played four games for Fiji at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Volavola writes in his Twitter bio, “God. Family. Football. #TeamJesus.”
4. Woodley Was Last Linked to Musician Nahko Bear
Woodley has been notoriously quiet about her love life. In 2015, Woodley was linked to Nahko and Medicine for the People frontman Nakho Bear. The New York Daily News wrote at the time that Bear “seems to fit the bill when it comes to Woodley’s carefree, love-for-all approach to life.”
A post shared by NAHKO (@nahkobear) on Jun 6, 2014 at 2:16pm PDT
While Woodley name checked Bear’s band in an appearance on Jimmy Fallon in 2013, via Jezebel.
5. Woodley’s Movie Is Based on a True Story
Woodley began filming the movie Adrift in Fiji and New Zealand in the summer, winter in the Southern Hemisphere, of 2017.
Variety reports that the movie details the story of Tami Oldham. During the worst hurricane on record for the Pacific Ocean, Oldham and her husband Richard Sharp found themselves stranded in their badly damaged boat. With Sharp being badly injured, it was up to Oldham to navigate their passage home. The movie co-stars Sam Claflin, star of Hunger Games and Me Before You. According to IMDb, Miles Teller had been in talks to play Woodley’s husband in the movie.
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