Kevin Bacon Dreads “Footloose” Moment at Weddings: A Dance He Never Wanted to Lead
Ah, the bittersweet burden of fame! Kevin Bacon, the beloved ’80s icon who danced his way into our hearts in “Footloose,” recently shared his biggest wedding fear during a candid discussion at SXSW. The 66-year-old actor lamented the potential for that iconic Kenny Loggins tune to play at a wedding, causing guests to encircle him and turn the celebration into a one-man show. “Suddenly the wedding becomes about me, and people form a circle around me and I become a trained monkey,” Bacon quipped, making it clear that while he appreciates the movie’s legacy, he’s not itching to relive those moments on the dance floor.
Bacon’s relationship with “Footloose” is complex. The film, which centers on a rebellious teenager fighting against a town’s ban on dancing, catapulted him into stardom, but that fame came with its own set of challenges. “It was my dream to have my name in lights… but until you really have that you don’t realize that there is something kind of strange about it,” he remarked, reflecting on the dissonance between his aspirations and the reality of sudden celebrity.
Interestingly, Bacon wasn’t even a trained dancer when he took on the role. He recalled his carefree days dancing at Studio 54, blissfully unaware that he was stepping into a dance-centric project. “I loved dancing, but when they sent the script to me I did not know it was a dance movie,” he said, illustrating the delightful unpredictability of Hollywood casting.
In today’s entertainment landscape, Bacon continues to evolve, currently starring in the supernatural thriller “The Bondsman” on Prime Video. He approaches his projects with a refreshing philosophy, focusing on character and collaboration rather than the size of the role or paycheck. “I wanted to become an actor before I knew what an actor was… I just knew I wanted the attention,” he candidly shared, showcasing his journey from aspiring performer to seasoned star.
While his fears of becoming the wedding entertainment may seem trivial against the backdrop of a 40-year career, they highlight a deeper truth: the struggle to balance public persona with personal identity is as timeless as the dance moves in “Footloose.” And let’s be honest, how many of us wouldn’t dread a surprise dance-off at a friend’s wedding?
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Variety
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