Jennifer Grey Sets the Record Straight on her Relationship with Patrick Swayze in “Dirty Dancing”
For all the old souls out there who have been pondering about the real-life connection between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze during the making of the iconic film, Dirty Dancing, we finally have some answers! Grey recently released her memoir, “Out of the Corner,” where she spills the beans on their relationship. Let’s dive deeper and find out what she revealed.
Jennifer Grey’s Initial Dislike for Patrick Swayze’s Pranks
Before their magical on-screen chemistry in Dirty Dancing, Grey and Swayze actually worked together on the film Red Dawn. However, during that time, Grey was not a fan of Swayze’s playful pranks. She confessed in an interview on The View, “Patrick was playing pranks on me and everybody. It was just macho, and I just couldn’t take it. It was like, ‘Please, this guy, that’s enough with him.'”
To Grey’s surprise, she discovered that Swayze would be her co-star once again in Dirty Dancing. Initially, she wasn’t thrilled about it. But everything changed after their first screen test together. Swayze pulled her aside and sincerely apologized for his behavior. Grey recalls, “He said to me, ‘I love you, I love you, and I’m so sorry. I know you don’t want me to do the movie.'”
This heartfelt apology melted Grey’s heart and made her see Swayze in a different light. She agreed to do the film with him, and their incredible chemistry on set made her feel like she had found her perfect match. Grey described their first dance scene saying, “We go in there, and he takes me in his arms, and I was like, ‘Oh, boy. I’m done.’ There was no competition. He was the easy chair I’d been dreaming of my whole life.”
Jennifer Grey Reflects on Her ‘Tension’ with Patrick Swayze
In her autobiography, Grey opens up about the complex relationship she and Swayze shared during the making of Dirty Dancing. She reveals that they were not exactly a natural match, which created some tension between them. However, they had to work together and find common ground for the sake of the film.
Reflecting on their dynamic, Grey expresses regret for not fully appreciating who Swayze was at the time. She writes, “I’m so sorry that I couldn’t just appreciate and savor who you were, instead of me wishing you were more like what I wanted you to be.”
Despite their differences, Grey acknowledges Swayze’s support and undeniable talent, especially during the challenging dance scenes. She describes him as strong, protective, and incredibly dedicated to his craft. And of course, she couldn’t resist mentioning how amazing he smelled and how nice his skin was.
Looking Ahead: A Sequel to ‘Dirty Dancing’
Exciting news for all the die-hard Dirty Dancing fans out there! In 2020, Lionsgate confirmed that a sequel to the beloved film is in the works. Even better, Jennifer Grey will be reprising her role as Baby, and the project will be directed by Jonathan Levine. Levine couldn’t contain his excitement, stating, “While the original Dirty Dancing has always been one of my favorite films, I never imagined I would direct the sequel.”
The filmmakers have big plans to honor the magic of the original film while also exploring new storylines and incorporating ’90s hip-hop music. They are also in discussions with Swayze’s estate to find a way to pay tribute to his presence in the sequel.
However, Grey wants to make it crystal clear that they have no intentions of replacing Swayze. She emphatically states, “All I can say is there is no replacing anyone who’s passed—you never try to repeat anything that’s as magical as that. You simply strive for something different.”
With Grey on board and a promise to approach the sequel with love and respect, fans can eagerly anticipate a nostalgic and fresh take on the enchanting Dirty Dancing universe.
