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.
Аftеr аll thе hеаrtbrеаk, Jаsоn Mоmоа fоund nеw lоvе, аnd yоu’ll surеly rесоgnizе hеr
Around two years after he officially split from his now-ex-wife Lisa Bonet, Jason Momoa went public with his new relationship. He and actress Adria Arjona were spotted packing on the PDA on Tuesday, May 21. Two days prior, they made their relationship Instagram official.
People first started guessing that the two were dating in early May of this year when Momoa appeared at Basingstoke Comic Con in England and disclosed to fans that he had been in a relationship for a considerable period. “I’m very much in a relationship. I’ve been in a relationship for a while,” he told the crowd. “I’m really enjoying [my] privacy ’cause back in the day nobody gave a fuck, and now everybody does.”
Recently, the Aquaman star posted several photos with Arjona as part of a collection showcasing their trip to Japan. In one of the pictures, the two are seen smiling on a beach. In the post, he lovingly referred to Arjona as “mi amor.”
“Japan, you are a dream come true you blew my mind. We’re so thankful for everyone who opened their homes, making memories with new friends and old friends, sharing another amazing adventure with mi amor. ON THE ROAM motorcycles and mayhem. All my aloha j,” the actor wrote.
Arjona has had a Hollywod career herself. After several notable roles, among those in Pacific Rim Uprising, Life of the Party, and a recurring part in True Detective, she had her breakthrough role as Dorothy Gale in the Oz book adaptation Emerald City. Although the series was canceled after one season, she has since secured numerous significant roles.
Some of her most prominent roles include Morbius, Father of the Bride, Good Omens, and Andor. Additionally, she appears in the new comedy-action Netflix film, Hit Man, directed by Richard Linklater, in which she stars in along with Glen Powell.
One of her latest projects, Blink Twice, was directed by Zoë Kravitz, Momoa’s stepdaughter from his marriage to Bonet.
Arjona was married to lawyer Edgardo Canales. Their relationship was a private one and no details of their split have been released.
Before Arjona, Momoa briefly dated Eiza González for a few months in 2022.
The new couple were both part of the cast of Netflix’s Sweet Girl, which was released in 2021.
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