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.
Woman who ‘died and was in heaven for 3 days’ reveals a chilling vision of the future
The concept of life after death is present in a number of religions and philosophies. Some envision an afterlife or reincarnation, while others see death as the end of consciousness. The scientific community is inconclusive, and these beliefs mainly reflect personal or cultural views.
Julie Poole, who calls herself a spiritual guru, has built a career by sharing her teachings with others.
At a young age, Julie experienced “physical, mental, s**al, and emotional abuse.”
This horrific experience left her devastated and affected her life, but at the same time it strengthened her spirituality.
She has always been open about everything that is going on in her life, and recently, she shared her near-death experience following a suicide attempt.
In her 20s, Julie overdosed on medications after which she “died” in a sense and was taken to a “spirit realm” that resembled heaven. There, she claims to have seen glimpses from the future.
“I suddenly saw my guides and my angels around me and then they lifted me up, and took me up to the Higher Realms. I just remember saying ‘I’m going home’ and they said ‘No you’re not, it’s not your time,’” she shared in a video.
Julie claims the spirits told her, “We did warn you it would be too hard and too overwhelming, and now here you are at 21 trying to check out.”
Three days later, she returned to her normal form on Earth but she could still remember some of the words the spirits spoken to her.
Further, Julie claimed that the extraterrestrial beings told her a new ‘Golden Age’ for humanity would begin between 2012 and 2032.
“What we mean by the Golden Age is that for millennia now there has been an enormous amount of power, abuse and control…” she clarified, “All of that has been held by the few and has controlled the masses.
“This Golden Age is bringing an equality across the board, so that which is false and fake and untrue and corrupt will fall away.”
She is convinced that this concept would indeed happen and that “the day of reckoning” is near.
“It’s coming up not so that we can have some sort of Armageddon, but the people in power that are corrupt are getting found out,” she went on.
“They’re getting caught and kicked out, and people that have a pure heart pure intentions are coming in instead.”
For more on this woman’s incredible story go to the video below.
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