Cynthia Rhodes, known for her iconic roles in Staying Alive and Dirty Dancing, is a legendary figure in 1980s dance dramas. As she approaches her 68th birthday in November 2024, it’s worth reflecting on why this Hollywood triple threat chose to retire at the peak of her career.
Rhodes was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and began her career with a small part in the 1980 film Xanadu, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Her breakout came with her portrayal of Tina Tech in Flashdance, followed by a significant role in Staying Alive, where she played the love interest of John Travolta.
However, it was her unforgettable performance as Penny Johnson in Dirty Dancing that solidified her status in Hollywood. In this role, she captivated audiences with her Mambo dancing alongside Patrick Swayze, while also delivering poignant emotional scenes, including the character’s harrowing experience with an illegal abortion.
Rhodes described Penny as a complex character who had endured a tough life, yet retained a sense of sweetness. The film not only showcased her dancing skills but also tackled important social issues, positioning its leads, including Rhodes, for stardom.
Despite her success, Rhodes decided to step back from the industry, citing the physical demands of dance. “Dancing became really hard”, she said, expressing her desire for roles that didn’t involve strenuous movement. “I keep saying I’ll never dance again… my bones hurt, my back hurts all the time”, she explained.
In 1987, the same year Dirty Dancing premiered, Rhodes appeared in Richard Marx’s music video for “Don’t Mean Nothing”. She married Marx in 1989 and welcomed three children: Brandon in 1990, Lucas in 1992, and Jesse in 1994. Marx noted that Rhodes found more fulfillment in motherhood than in her previous career, which she left in 1990 partly due to the intense physical pain from dancing.
Rhodes, who started dancing at the age of three, emphasized her love for it but acknowledged the toll it took on her body. “If I never danced again, I wouldn’t regret it”, she said, highlighting her contentment in focusing on her family.
Her last film appearance was in 1991’s Curse of the Crystal Eye. After divorcing Marx in 2014, she stepped further into her role as a mother, watching her children pursue careers in the arts: Brandon as a music producer, Lucas as a singer and actor, and Jesse as a musician in a metal band. While fans miss seeing Cynthia Rhodes on screen, her decision to leave Hollywood resonates, underscoring the high demands of a career in dance and the joy she found in motherhood.
TAYLOR SWIFT’S APPEARANCE AT THE CHIEFS GAME RAISES EYEBROWS – ‘TOO MUCH WEIGHT,’ SAY FANS
TAYLOR SWIFT’S APPEARANCE AT THE CHIEFS GAME RAISES EYEBROWS – ‘TOO MUCH WEIGHT,’ SAY FANS
Taylor Swift got a lot of attention for her look and outfit when she attended the NFL game to support her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.
Taylor was at the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5, 2024. This was the opening night of the NFL season, and she was there to cheer on Travis Kelce, who plays for the Chiefs.
Taylor Swift made a stylish entrance at Arrowhead Stadium, wearing a fashionable Medusa ’95 Versace denim corset top, thigh-high red Giuseppe Zanotti boots, and carrying a sleek Louis Vuitton handbag.
Fans who saw Taylor Swift’s pictures from the game shared their opinions online. One fan even speculated about a possible pregnancy, adding a pregnant emoji, “She’s getting thick …?”
Another fan criticized her outfit, saying, “So tacky! Can she not get a fashion consultant?” Another added, “With all her money, you’d think she could have had her stylist pick out a better outfit.”
However, not everyone shared the negative views. One fan loved the outfit, saying, “Such a cute outfit.” Another defended Taylor, writing, “Can’t believe some people say she ‘put on too much weight.’ She looks better like this than she did as a stick figure.”
Appreciation for Taylor’s appearance continued with one fan praising her transformation: “Definitely find her more attractive with some extra meat on her bones. Never liked the twig physique.” Another fan kept it simple and positive, saying, “She’s beautiful.”
Taylor appeared to have a great time at the game. Once inside the stadium, she took her usual place in Travis Kelce’s luxury suite, sitting comfortably next to his parents, Ed and Donna.
Videos showed Taylor and Ed enjoying each other’s company during the exciting NFL game. They chatted and laughed together, looking very relaxed and happy.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have become a popular couple, and their photos together often go viral. Recently, their date night photos have gotten a lot of attention for several reasons.
People have been closely analyzing the pictures and some have started speculating about Taylor possibly being pregnant, similar to her friend Brittany Mahomes.
On July 16, Taylor and Travis were seen out on the streets of London with their friends. Photos from that night, shared by their loved ones, have sparked a lot of comments and guesses from people on social media.
Summitt recently shared a fun carousel of photos on Instagram from his trip. The pictures show highlights from their time at nature reserves and beaches, as well as a memorable helicopter ride with Patrick.
One of the photos features a group shot of Summitt, his wife Miranda, Brittany, Patrick, and the celebrity couple Travis and Taylor. In the photo, Travis is seen with his arm around Taylor’s shoulders, his hand resting just below her chest.
For the evening event, Taylor Swift wore a beautiful light-blue dress by Vivienne Westwood, called the “Sunday Gathered Cotton Midi Dress.” The dress is priced at $1,010.
Some social media users were uncomfortable with how Travis had his hand placed on Taylor in the photo. One Instagram user commented, “Swifties take a closer look at this guy … Yikes .”
Another person added, “It looks like she was trying to move his hand to her waist. I don’t think it’s cute, I think it’s cringey.”
Some people focused on Taylor’s dress, criticizing her fashion choice. One person remarked, “Why do her dresses always look like a moo moo my grandma would wear?” Another said, “Taylor needs to fire her stylist.”
Others analyzed a photo of Brittany where Travis had one hand on his lower stomach. A social media user wondered, “Travis is cradling his lower abdomen and pointing to himself. What does that mean?” Another person joked, “Travy, get Tay preggers. We need little besties for life.”
While Taylor hasn’t confirmed or denied the pregnancy rumors, her close friend Brittany has confirmed that she will soon be a mom of three.
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