Dirty Dancing, starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, was a 1987 blockbuster. Though the chemistry between the two stars in the film created movie magic, Grey revealed that their relationship wasn’t perfect off-screen.
Grey played Baby in Dirty Dancing, the daughter of a wealthy doctor who goes on vacation with her family in the Catskills. When she meets Johnny, the resort’s rebellious dance instructor, fireworks erupt (Swayze). The two become dance partners, sparking a steamy romance. Grey observed that she and Swayze had opposing personalities, much like their characters.
“They weren’t a natural match, just like Baby and Johnny weren’t supposed to be together.” Grey revealed to People. “And we were not a natural fit.” And the fact that we had to be a natural match added to the tension. Normally, when you’re not a natural with someone, you… both people move on, but we were forced to be together.”
Though the two celebrities did not get along off camera, Grey believed that the tension in their personal interactions aided their on-screen performance.
Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze relationship
When he starred in Dirty Dancing, Swayze was married to dancer Lisa Niemi, and Grey was in a serious relationship with actor Matthew Broderick. Fans wanted to see Swayze and Grey in a real-life romance despite the fact that they were clearly committed to other people when Dirty Dancing was released.
