‘Dirty Dancing’ will likely always be hailed as one of the greatest movies of all time, remaining beloved by fans worldwide even decades after its release.
The late Patrick Swayze soared to new heights of fame with his iconic role in the film, while his co-star Jennifer Grey continues to honor the legacy he left behind.
Jennifer Grey’s name is synonymous with her portrayal of “Baby” in the 1987 romantic drama ‘Dirty Dancing,’ earning her legions of fans and admirers worldwide.
The film unfolds at a vacation resort where Frances “Baby” and her family are staying, showcasing the blossoming romance between a rebellious dance instructor portrayed by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey’s character, ‘Baby.’
Despite the fervent hopes of thousands of fans for a sequel, Grey has made it clear that a sequel may never come to fruition. She expressed her dedication to honoring Patrick’s legacy and the fans’ connection to the original film, emphasizing the importance of getting it right.
In later interviews, Grey shared insights into the filming experience, revealing that while she and Swayze lacked on-screen chemistry, their bodies “really liked each other.”
In April 2022, Lionsgate announced at Cinemacon that a ‘Dirty Dancing’ sequel was in development, sparking excitement among fans.
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Grey provided further details about the upcoming sequel, promising a blend of sex, music, and, of course, dancing.
Grey insisted that the sequel must meet her standards of perfection, and confirmed the return of some original cast members, noting that “Baby” is now much older and that the film will introduce new characters from the original.
She emphasized that there will be no attempt to replace Patrick Swayze’s character, Johnny Castle, stating that his portrayal was unique and irreplaceable.
Patrick Swayze passed away in 2009 at the age of 57 after battling pancreatic cancer for 20 months. Despite their differences, Grey expressed regret over not fully appreciating Swayze during their time together, honoring his memory in her autobiography.
Grey’s unwavering dedication to preserving Swayze’s memory and her commitment to her future projects are met with love and support from fans worldwide.
As I was about to drive my wife in labor to the hospital, I received a call saying my mother was passing away
Just as my wife’s water broke, I got a call from my mother’s nurse, and she told me my mom was dying. I was torn and forced to make a difficult decision.
The day Debra found out she was pregnant was one of those days that I will cherish for the rest of my life. We had cried together, unable to believe that we were going to have a baby home soon, and I promised Debra I’d be an amazing dad.
Debra and I had waited to become parents for a long time. We were one of those miracle couples who conceived after going through tons of failed fertility treatments and doctors telling us there was no chance.
“We’ll be the best parents to him, darling,” I told Debra one night. “I can’t wait to hold our baby in my arms.”
“I know, honey,” she’d said, smiling. I gently kissed her baby bump and promised Debra I’d always be by her side.
Debra had always been very anxious about the pregnancy due to the complications, and I had told her I would be there for her, so there was no need to worry.
Little did I know fate would plunge me into a situation where I’d have to choose between her and my mom while was in labor…
I still get chills when I recall that day. It started as a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly, and nothing seemed wrong with the outside world. I was preparing breakfast in the kitchen because Debra wasn’t feeling well that morning.
I quickly assembled a breakfast plate for her, and I went to call her for breakfast. As I entered our bedroom, I saw she was leaning against the wall with one hand, clutching her baby bump and breathing heavily.
“Honey, are you okay?” I dashed to her, worried. “Should I call the doctor?”
“Gordon…my water…it…it broke,” she whispered heavily, and that’s when I noticed the floor beneath her. It was wet. “Take me to the hospital, Gordon…Please!” she cried.
“Jesus!” I panicked. “I’ll get the car started. Just hang on a sec, honey.”
I ran to our car, grabbing the keys from the bowl on the living room shelf. I opened the car door, then rushed back inside to help Debra.
“Don’t worry, honey. We’ll reach the hospital in no time. Okay, we’ve got this.” I was comforting her as her labor pains began. I was terrified and nervous. I was praying everything would be fine.
After we made it to the car and Debra got inside, I locked her door and rushed to take my seat. Then my phone rang. It was my mom’s nurse, Marla, calling me. My mother had been diagnosed with a progressive cardiac condition, and due to her illness, she was confined to bed rest.
Worried, I answered the phone, and Marla’s voice on the other end of the line broke me from inside.
“Gordon,” she said in a weak voice. “Your mom… She had a heart attack, so I took her to the hospital. The doctors say there is little hope she’ll make it… Your mother is dying. I think you should be here as soon as you can.”
“Jesus, Jesus!” I exhaled a sigh. Why was everything happening at the same time? I was ripped to shreds and didn’t know what to do. On the one hand, there was Debra, who was in labor, and on the other, there was my mother.
I went inside the car, tears in my eyes, and told Debra everything. I couldn’t hide it from her, anyway. She saw my face and asked me what was wrong. And I blurted everything out.
“Mom is dying, honey. She had a heart attack, and Marla’s asking me to be there as soon as possible. I am so nervous. I – I don’t know what to do….”
“Honey,” Debra said. “Call a taxi. I’ll go by myself…”
“What?” I was taken aback. “No, we can’t do that!”. She was drenched in sweat and moaning in pain. “Look at you. It’s just not….”
“We don’t have time, honey…Ahh…call the taxi now, Gordon. Your mom needs you. You are a son first, then a husband. I will manage. Your mom…she…” Her pain was becoming worse.
“I’m calling the taxi. Oh, God!”
Thankfully, I got a taxi soon, and I instructed the driver to take Debra to the hospital safely. My hands shook as I drove to my mother’s hospital, and my tears wouldn’t stop. My heart was racing, wondering about Debra’s condition and if our baby would be alright.
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