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.
There’s a growing movement changing how beauty is perceived in America and around the world.
Because of social media, where women freely display their inherent beauty in all shapes and sizes, the standard of beauty is changing. This change is highlighted by a recent study that was published in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education. It shows that the average American woman used to wear a size 14, but now she typically wears a size 16 or 18.
The study, which examined data from more than 5,500 American women, discovered that during the previous 20 years, the average waist size had climbed from 34.9 to 37.5 inches. The study’s principal expert, Susan Dunn, highlights the importance of the information by saying, “Knowing the average size can significantly impact women’s self-image.”
The fashion industry is urged by co-author Deborah Christel and Dunn to adjust to these developments. According to Dunn, “these women are here to stay, and they deserve clothing that fits them.”
The message is clear: in order to appropriately represent the genuine shape and size of the modern American woman, apparel manufacturers must adjust their sizing guidelines.
Leave a Reply