The dramatic dance lift between Jennifer Grey and the late Patrick Swayze is arguably one of the most memorable scenes from the 1987 film Dirty Dancing. Nearly 30 years later the 55 year-old actress is reflecting on the iconic dance lift, which has been recreated countless times by fans of the film.
Grey spoke to The Guardian to promote her new comedy Red Oaks, and revealed that she had very little preparation before filming the dance lift on set.
“I only did it on the day I shot it,” said Grey. “Never rehearsed it, never done it since. I don’t know how all these people who reenact it have the guts to throw themselves into the arms of anyone other than Patrick Swayze. It’s insane!”
Grey and Swayze played Frances “Baby” Houseman and Johnny Castle in the the classic film.
The actress also revealed that while she is “thrilled” that the dance lift has made so many people happy, she has no plans to try and recreate the lift herself, noting that she was asked “every day” to perform it during her run as a contestant on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars.
“It happened, enjoy it, watch it over and over again, but never ask me to do it again, because I’m too f-ing old,” Grey said. “I have a family and I want to live longer.”