Chad Michael Murray, Kelly Bensimon and more celebs brought their undeniable star power to the Caribbean for the grand opening of Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks & Caicos — and Us Weekly was there to soak in every moment.
The action-packed weekend culminated on Saturday, May 16, with the Treasure Beach Village Bash, complete with a pink carpet, a diverse array of performers and a surprise headlining act set against the picturesque backdrop of the resort’s new village, right on the beach.
In addition to Murray, 44, and Bensimon, 58, dozens of stars walked the carpet, including Jesse Eisenberg, Dorinda Medley, Sasha Pieterse, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, Taye Diggs, Dave and Odette Annable, Bryan Greenberg and Jamie Chung, Ross Matthews and Amanda Kloots, before gathering in the VIP section of the party.
The night commenced with performers sporting giant fantails — which made Us feel like we were about to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Following remarks from Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Beaches Resorts, entertainment highlights included a poem recitation from the Provo Inter High School Choir, fire and tight rope performers and colorful juggling from America’s Got Talent’s troupe Jonglissimo.
Kelly Bensimon, Odette Annable, Sasha Pieterse and friends John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
Later in the night, surprise headliners American Authors wowed the audience with their hit song, “Best Day of My Life,” before going on to perform a set of original songs and covers.
Us spotted Bensimon and Medley, 61 — fresh off filming The Golden Life — getting their groove on right in front of the stage during American Authors’ set. Plus, Murray and Greenberg, 47, had a mini One Tree Hill reunion, catching up over 20 years after they costarred on the show.
Keep scrolling for the inside scoop on the celebration, including exclusive commentary from the stars themselves:
Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
“It’s been awesome,” Murray told Us of his Beaches vacay, adding that his favorite part was “the ocean. Feeling, floating, just taking it in. And the people are so loving and kind.”
The resort is also known for being incredibly family-friendly — and Murray and his wife, Sarah Roemer, took full advantage of the opportunity for their three young ones.
“Come on. Did I bring the kids?! I never leave home without them,” he told Us. “My kids are right over there, and they just had the most incredible time. My son celebrated his birthday while we’ve been here. [We did] parasailing, and he and I went and played chess this morning and then some mini golf on the grounds. We’re just doing it all.”
Kelly Bensimon
Kelly Bensimon John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
Bensimon shimmered on the red carpet fresh off of filming The Real Housewives of New York City spinoff series The Golden Life in Palm Beach, Florida.
Dorinda Medley
Dorinda Medley John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
Also coming off filming The Golden Life, Medley, 61, told Us her favorite part of her time at Beaches was “never getting a bill.” (The resort is all-inclusive.)
“It’s the most bizarre and wonderful thing,” she added. “My whole life is just a daily bombarding of bills. I can’t walk out on Park Avenue without somehow dropping at least 30 bucks as soon as [I] get up in the morning. So this concept of coming here to just let go, relax, it almost makes you feel childlike.”
Sasha Pieterse and Amanda Kloots
Sasha Pieterse and Amanda Kloots John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
Pieterse, 30, and Kloots, 44, are moms to sons Hendrix, 5, and Elvis, 6, respectively — “We’re on the same vibe!” Kloots quipped of their rockstar names — and they witnessed similar awe and wonder in their children.
“Elvis snorkeled for the first time, and he kept giving me hugs, and he was like, ‘Mom, I did it! I snorkeled! I went into the ocean!’” Kloots shared with Us. “The ocean in L.A. is not like this, so he was so proud of himself. It was like a core memory being made, and it was so special.”
While Pieterse admitted it wasn’t Hendrix’s first time snorkeling, it was the first time he was old enough to really understand it.
“He said, ‘It’s magic, Mommy,’” she told Us. “It’s so beautiful, and to experience the island that way … you can’t get it anywhere else.”
The Pretty Little Liars alum, who shares her son with husband Hudson Sheaffer, added that the trip allowed her family to take a much-needed “pause.”
“We love to travel as a family. Hendrix is such a good traveler. He loves planes, he loves traveling, he loves museums, he just loves learning new cultures,” she told Us. “I’m so proud of him in that way. … He’s an only child, so finding activities where the three of us can really thrive and enjoy stuff together is so special. These are memories that last a lifetime.”
Jesse Eisenberg
Jesse Eisenberg John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
The actor kept it casual on the pink carpet before heading off to enjoy the celebration.
Boris Kodjoe
Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe and Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee Kodjoe John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
“The highlight is to just lay down by the beach and not to worry about anything,” Kodjoe, 53, told Us of his time at Beaches Turks & Caicos with wife Parker, 55. “It’s so beautiful. It’s stunning. Nature did its thing, and the water is the perfect temperature.”
He continued, “I love the water sports. I love the culinary diversity. … [It’s great] being here with my family, and just getting some well-deserved peace.”
Odette and Dave Annable
Odette and Dave Annable and their children John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
The power couple brought along their two children, Charlie, 10, and Andi, 3, for a family Caribbean getaway, and they weren’t shy to show off their moves on the dance floor.
“It’s a kid heaven, first of all, but for grown-ups too,” Odette, 41, told Us of their experience at Beaches. “We went out a little too late last night with friends we haven’t seen in a long time. There’s a pub here, there’s 100 pools, there’s the beautiful ocean, which was the thing we were most excited about, because it’s just the white sand and the clear, warm water.”
Dave, 46, added, “The folks that are working, everybody’s really beautiful people. Happy to have us. I’m into it.”
American Authors
American Authors John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
American Authors started off strong with an electric performance of their hit song “Best Day of My Life” as fireworks exploded overhead. The band covered Coldplay’s “Yellow” and The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” among a mix of their original songs.
Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg
Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
The couple brought along their 4-year-old twin boys for some family fun.
Taye Diggs and Adam Stewart
Taye Diggs and Adam Stewart John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
The singer and actor posed for a photo alongside the Jamaican businessman.
Ross Mathews and Wellinthon García-Mathews
Ross Mathews and Wellinthon García-Mathews John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
“Just flying in, seeing the color of the water from the plane, getting out of the car here, they were singing and there was music and there were smile and the breeze hits you,” Matthews, 46, recalled of his arrival on the island. “It feels like I’m another planet where everybody is happy. That’s what it feels like here.”
The couple recently celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary, and decided to make their trip to Beaches an “extended celebration” of their love.
Abbey Romeo
Abbey Romeo John Parra/Getty Images for Beaches Resorts
The Love on the Spectrum star — who celebrated her birthday on the island — told Us her favorite parts of her time at Beaches Turks & Caicos were a surprise from Elmo, the “beautiful, crystal clear water” and the waterslide.
