12 candid snapshots that prove Tina Louise was the original queen of the selfie

Ginger would have dominated Instagram in the Sixties.

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The Oxford English Dictionary named "selfie" the word of the year in 2013. Though the term "selfie" may be relatively new, the concept itself is not. After all, who could forget the first time you held a Polaroid Instamatic in your hands? The first instinct was always to hold the camera at arm's length, pointed right back at your face. We were doing that back in the 1970s.

Besides, the definition of "selfie" now has a broader meaning. It has come to mean any posed photograph of yourself intended to show off your style, beauty, lifestyle, vibe, etc.

Thinking in those terms, it struck us that Tina Louise, the vampy singer who became an idol playing Ginger on Gilligan's Island, was brilliant at these type of pics. If Instagram had been around in the Sixties, Louise would have garnered millions of followers.

As today is National Selfie Day, let's honor this pioneer.

Curls and the Surf

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Just another day at the office for the "movie star" of Gilligan's Island.


Vamping It Up

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Showing off your famous friends is a sure way to get likes.


Back to Nature

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She sure knew how to use the scenery. 

#NoFilter

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Showing off your natural beauty is pure selfie fodder.


Retro Style

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Everyone loves a call back to an earlier era.


Photo Pool

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It's all about showing off your summer vibes.

Hot Dog!

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She was even taking pictures of her meals long before smartphones.


Wax and Chill

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A pregnant Louise meditates with a candle in the mid-'70s. Showing off your lifestyle is so Insta.


No Wallflower

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It's all about giving good face.

Lady in Red

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We can't tell is she's celebrating Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day… or all of the above.


Tossing It Back

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Everyone loves a good hair flip.

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3 Comments

Craigg 53 months ago
Not sure you MeTV guys know what a selfie is.
RobertStoll 57 months ago
Wonderful pictures of Tina folks! Love the captions too! Had a crush on her since I was 10! You guys/gals are the best!
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