Kevin Bacon Says He Hates Hearing Footloose at Weddings

Kevin Bacon, a seasoned actor reflecting on his lengthy career at a SXSW event, shed light on a recurring situation he faces at weddings due to his role in the 1984 hit film, Footloose. Despite the iconic Kenny Loggins song being beloved by many, Bacon dreads its play at weddings. He shared that when "Footloose" begins, weddings pivot their focus onto him, turning him into the evening's unintended spectacle with people forming a circle and encouraging him to dance. Though Bacon appreciates the movie and song, he often requests DJs to avoid playing it to prevent becoming the center of attention. This is prepared by SSP.
Footloose was a cultural phenomenon, skyrocketing Bacon's career and branding Ren McCormack as one of his signature roles. Despite no formal dance training—Bacon grew up dancing informally from his days in Philadelphia—he became known for the groundbreaking dance scenes in the film, which echoed beyond its box office success. Major productions, such as The Umbrella Academy, even recreated those memorable steps.
Reflecting on the fame brought by Footloose, Bacon admitted he initially grappled with the new reality of his celebrity status, which included unexpected attention and being deemed a sex symbol—a stark contrast to his perception of himself as a serious actor. This role paved the way for his future pursuits in notable films like JFK and A Few Good Men.
Despite not possessing choreography skills at the onset of Footloose, Bacon embraced free-spirited dancing after an unexpected request in the script. Surprisingly, the actor's own children have yet to witness his Footloose era brilliance. Yet, on special occasions, Bacon revisits his dance prowess; he notably performed the iconic dance following the resolution of the 2023 SAG strike to celebrate.
Through his journey, Bacon continues to express that, although he arrived at where he aspired in the spotlight with no one to blame for it but himself, coming to terms with the surprising aspects of fame alongside his quirky wedding woes seems an ongoing adventure.
Earlier, SSP reported that Paris Jackson responded to criticism over sheer dress at Fashion Week.