Jennifer Grey says she cries every time she watches 'Dirty Dancing'

Editor's note: This article was originally published on March 9, 2023. It has since been updated.

"Dirty Dancing," the 1987 romantic drama film, has become a cult classic over the years, with fans still swooning over the iconic dance moves and the chemistry between the lead actors, Jennifer Grey and the late Patrick Swayze. Jennifer Grey, now 62 years old, opened up about the film and its impact on her life in an interview with PEOPLE. "It feels like I'm living it when I'm watching it. And then I'm realizing that Patrick [Swayze] is gone," Jennifer Grey revealed, moved to tears when a classic clip from the film was shown during a morning show appearance. Swayze passed away in 2009 at the age of 57 after battling pancreatic cancer.

In a separate interview with PEOPLE, Jennifer Grey talked about her relationship with Patrick Swayze during the filming of "Dirty Dancing." While they played love interests in the movie, there was tension between them off-screen. "I feel like if I could say anything to him now, I would say, 'I'm so sorry that I couldn't just appreciate and luxuriate in who you were, instead of me wishing you were more like what I wanted you to be,'" she said.

Despite the tension, Grey revealed that Swayze was a source of strength for her on the set, particularly during the filming of the famous lift scene. "I was terrified to do the lift choreography at the movie's end, but Patrick was an unwavering source of strength for me. He was really strong and very protective of me," she said.

Interestingly, the famous lift was never rehearsed, according to Grey. "I only did it on the day I shot it. Never rehearsed it, never done it since. I don’t know how all these people who reenact it have the guts to throw themselves into the arms of anyone other than Patrick Swayze. It’s insane," she said in an interview with The Guardian in 2015.

Aside from reminiscing about "Dirty Dancing," Grey also revealed a fun fact about herself – she loves playing Wordle. "I played Wordle yesterday. I've gotten it on the second try but mostly the third. I wouldn't want it on the first—I want a little tension," she shared.

Overall, "Dirty Dancing" remains a beloved classic that continues to capture the hearts of audiences around the world. And while Jennifer Grey still has fond memories of the film and her time working with Patrick Swayze, she also wishes she could have appreciated him more while they were filming.