Kevin Bacon has a reputation for being one of the “good” celebrities. He lives a drama-free life on a maybe-haunted farmhouse in Connecticut with his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, and takes his fame and all that comes with it in stride. He goodnaturedly leaned into the Six Degrees game, he loves to cook, and he’s gracious when approached by fans. Last year, he helped kick off the final senior prom at Payson High School, the Utah high school where Footloose was filmed. But, as it turns out, even Kevin has a limit. While doing a Q&A during a career retrospective event at SXSW last week, Kevin shared that his “worst nightmare” involves weddings, boozy guests, and the title song from Footloose.
“It’s what I wanted, I have no one to blame but myself. It was definitely my dream to have all those things. But until you really have that, you don’t really realize there’s something kind of strange about it,” the Emmy nominee shared. “My worst nightmare is to be at a wedding and the DJ puts on the music.”
Bacon admitted, “They always start out being about the bride, and then there’s alcohol involved. And by about 10:30, the song comes on, and suddenly the wedding becomes about me getting out and dancing. People will literally form a circle around me and clap their hands like I’m a trained monkey.”
To avert that scenario, the Hollow Man star said he approaches DJs ahead of time to ask them not to play “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins, which soundtracked his iconic dancing scene in the classic movie.
“It’s not because I don’t love the song, I do love this song. It’s not because I’m not proud of the movie, I’m 100% proud of it,” Bacon clarified.
I totally understand the cringe factor here. Even for someone as seemingly chill as Kevin is, it sounds like a nightmare to have to perform when he’s just trying to celebrate with his friends. It’s nice that he takes the bride’s (and groom’s) feelings into consideration and doesn’t want to take the focus off of their night. Boundaries can be difficult to establish, but they are the best. Protecting his own peace while simultaneously keeping someone else’s big day from centering around him? Yeah, Kevin’s status as one of the most well-liked celebrities is well earned.
I also wonder what those DJs think when they turn around and see Kevin Bacon standing there, asking them not to play one of the most popular songs to dance to at big events, lol. That said, I wonder what Kevin’s actual jam is when it’s time to dance at weddings. Is he an “Electric Slide” kinda guy? Does he do the conga? The Macarena? Or does he really rock out to the Cupid Shuffle? Inquiring minds want to know.
photos credit: Doug Peters/PA Images/INSTARimages, Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com, StarinfluxLA/Backgrid and Getty
I can relate- I tell the bride ahead of time don’t you DARE try to drag me out there for a bouquet toss. I’m at the awkward age where the only “single ladies” left are me and a couple of 10- or 11-year-olds and I am not here to be humiliated for the sake of your wedding photos.
Oh I feel you on this! I was determined not to perpetuate this nonsense at my wedding. First, not everyone who is single even wants to be married. And it’s humiliating for women period. I grabbed the mic, asked all the married people to stand. I then asked if you have been married less than 5 years sit. Less than 8 sit. Less than 10 sit. Less than 15 sit and so on. The last couple left standing had been married 43 years. I know this cause I asked them and they both shouted into the mic “43 years!” as the place erupted. The wife got my bouquet. It was a fun way to get the party started.
It ended up being a big hit. We had a gay couple from Canada attend and they were standing until 20 years (married 16 years). It was nice to see them standing together. I was sort of hoping they’d win the bouquet but the couple that won it was lovely and fun. She apparently kept it until she passed and it went to her oldest.
Okay, that makes sense. But, how are they both still so good looking? It’s just not fair!
Money helps.
As MUCH as I ADORE Kenny Loggins/Kevin Bacon/Lori Singer/John Lithgow back in the day…ESPECIALLY Bacon who was on TWO of my FAVE CBS soap operas “As The World Turns” & “The Guiding Light”🥰…to this DAY…I haven’t seen “Footloose” because of that theme song & the iconic ✨️ Denice William’s hit…”Let’s Here It For The boys”….😒
40+ years later…I STILL CAN’T!🤣…yet I DO 🥰 the movie & what it’s done for…humanity?😅
I love Kevin Bacon! And I love that he doesn’t want everyone’s wedding to be about him. Good for him for being proactive on this!
I’m sure, Kev being the nice guy that he is, that the request is accompanied by a $100 bill. No hard feelings, amirite?