--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was a dancer, and it's not really cool…" description: "\"I was a dancer, and it's not really cool for a boy to dance, so it was inspiring to see a movie like 'Footloose' where a guy is dancing masculine and h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/kenny-wormald-33459_behinds_i-was-a-dancer-and-it-s-not-really-cool_582138.jpg" --- # I was a dancer, and it's not really cool for a boy to… ![“I was a dancer, and it's not really cool for a boy to dance, so it was inspiring to see a movie like 'Footloose' where a guy is dancing masculine and had a proper reason behind it. It made me feel cool, and when these kids would make fun of me, I'd be like, 'Oh, didn't you see 'Footloose,' man?” quote by Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/kenny-wormald-33459_behinds_i-was-a-dancer-and-it-s-not-really-cool_582138.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/kenny-wormald-33459_behinds_i-was-a-dancer-and-it-s-not-really-cool_582138.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/kenny-wormald-33459_behinds_i-was-a-dancer-and-it-s-not-really-cool_582138.jpg) > “I was a dancer, and it's not really cool for a boy to dance, so it was inspiring to see a movie like 'Footloose' where a guy is dancing masculine and had a proper reason behind it. It made me feel cool, and when these kids would make fun of me, I'd be like, 'Oh, didn't you see 'Footloose,' man?” [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing a male dancer confidently defy stereotypes shows that masculinity and artistic expression can coexist, empowering those who feel marginalized. **In simple terms:** Masculine dancing breaks stereotypes. Key Takeaway Use role models to challenge norms. Themes self‑esteem stereotypes artistic expression empowerment media influence Mood inspirational defiant Type cultural motivational When to use this quote - school bullying - personal confidence - creative pursuits - team sports Key Concepts gender studies identity formation social modeling Questions to Reflect On - How can you support peers facing ridicule? - What media can you share to promote inclusive role models? A Different Perspective Not everyone accepts non‑traditional gender roles, which can cause backlash. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer/) [Dancing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancing/) [Footloose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/footloose/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Inspiring movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring-movie/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Masculine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masculine/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [It would be easy for someone to think growing up in a small town would be like 'Footloose' or something, that it would be,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rust/it-would-be-easy-for-someone-to-think-growing-up-in-a-small-town/) [Paul Rust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rust/) > [I'd asked for things like the 'Footloose' soundtrack and Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' for my birthdays, but I remember walking what felt like miles to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-pascal/i-d-asked-for-things-like-the-footloose-soundtrack-and-michael/) [Pedro Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-pascal/) > [My song from 'Footloose,' 'Almost Paradise,' went number 1 dislodging Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' from that spot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-carmen/my-song-from-footloose-almost-paradise-went-number-1-dislodging/) [Eric Carmen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-carmen/) > [I don't care what we play, they're gonna start screaming, 'Footloose! Footloose!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-bacon/i-don-t-care-what-we-play-they-re-gonna-start-screaming-footloose/) [Kevin Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-bacon/) > [It should not be denied... that being footloose has always exhilarated us. It is associated in our minds with escape from history and oppression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/it-should-not-be-denied-that-being-footloose-has-always-exhilarated/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Before Footloose, the things I'd done weren't cute. In Diner I was an alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-bacon/before-footloose-the-things-i-d-done-weren-t-cute-in-diner-i-was-an/) [Kevin Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-bacon/) > [A core part of the global market is what might be called the 'Nike Economy' - footloose companies that play countries against one another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-sweeney/a-core-part-of-the-global-market-is-what-might-be-called-the-nike/) John J. Sweeney > [I remember my first play and it was 'Footloose.' I was High School Student No. 3 and we were doing the 'Cut Footloose' number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaz-sinclair/i-remember-my-first-play-and-it-was-footloose-i-was-high-school/) [Jaz Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaz-sinclair/) > [I got a Walkman, I had the 'Footloose' soundtrack and I danced to it constantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-brewer/i-got-a-walkman-i-had-the-footloose-soundtrack-and-i-danced-to-it/) [Craig Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-brewer/) > [I began to think that there was a place for 'Footloose' to get retold again, that there was actually a more conducive political climate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-brewer/i-began-to-think-that-there-was-a-place-for-footloose-to-get-retold/) [Craig Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-brewer/) > [First play I ever did was 'Footloose.' I played the part of Willard when I was 16. I think I wore my drama teacher's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-teller/first-play-i-ever-did-was-footloose-i-played-the-part-of-willard-when/) [Miles Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-teller/) > [Prior to being bullied, I was a very footloose sixth-grader. You know, I was quirky, I was creative - I really felt good in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-mackler/prior-to-being-bullied-i-was-a-very-footloose-sixth-grader-you-know-i/) [Carolyn Mackler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-mackler/) > [I don't watch the movies I make, so I haven't seen 'Footloose' since it came out. You see this young, hungry actor, it's pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-bacon/i-don-t-watch-the-movies-i-make-so-i-haven-t-seen-footloose-since-it/) [Kevin Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-bacon/) > [I can't be the only one who watches 'Footloose' and hopes that John Lithgow will stop Kevin Bacon ever dancing again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-herring/i-can-t-be-the-only-one-who-watches-footloose-and-hopes-that-john/) [Richard Herring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-herring/) > [I'm single, footloose and fancy free, I have no responsibilities, no anchors. Work, friendship and self-improvement, that's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-m-single-footloose-and-fancy-free-i-have-no-responsibilities-no/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) ## More by Kenny Wormald > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I've always fought for what I believe in. I used to get made fun of for dancing, and I would argue back, or fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-ve-always-fought-for-what-i-believe-in-i-used-to-get-made-fun-of/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [L.A. fashion is like lip injections. That confuses me. That's become not just a thing. It's become fashion, part of your outfit. But hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/l-a-fashion-is-like-lip-injections-that-confuses-me-that-s-become-not/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I used to get made fun of a lot for being a male dancer, especially growing up in Boston. Kids are terrible, they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-used-to-get-made-fun-of-a-lot-for-being-a-male-dancer-especially/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I had been working predominantly and steadily as a dancer, so after awhile, you don't have to audition. I was just in that world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-had-been-working-predominantly-and-steadily-as-a-dancer-so-after/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [You have to be determined, and be able to accept, 'No.' I've heard, 'No,' a thousand times, and I've heard, 'Yes,' a handful of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/you-have-to-be-determined-and-be-able-to-accept-no-i-ve-heard-no-a/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I always go for confident girls!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-always-go-for-confident-girls/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I enjoy the element of pushing yourself, learning something new, whether it's a dance step, a scene, an emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-enjoy-the-element-of-pushing-yourself-learning-something-new/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I love a good argument and sometimes I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut if I think someone is wrong... I've always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-love-a-good-argument-and-sometimes-i-have-a-hard-time-keeping-my/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [The whole bullying issue has really struck a nerve with me. It affects so many different types of people at a vital time in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/the-whole-bullying-issue-has-really-struck-a-nerve-with-me-it-affects/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I have a really good family. I'm lucky to have people who support me and love me in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-have-a-really-good-family-i-m-lucky-to-have-people-who-support-me/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [You can only dance for so long, but you can act until you're dead, so... I fell in love with it and I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/you-can-only-dance-for-so-long-but-you-can-act-until-you-re-dead-so-i/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I mean, there's definitely a difference between film and live performances or live television. But at the same time, it's just performing. No matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-mean-there-s-definitely-a-difference-between-film-and-live/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [I'm from Boston, and I'm hard-headed, opinionated and a good arguer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-from-boston-and-i-m-hard-headed-opinionated-and-a-good-arguer/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) [Explore all 15 Kenny Wormald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) ## More Behinds quotes > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Behind every word flows energy. If you use your words to gossip or babble about what you are going to do before you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-choquette/behind-every-word-flows-energy-if-you-use-your-words-to-gossip-or/) [Sonia Choquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-choquette/) > [With the realization of God comes all power. If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/) [Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was a dancer, and it's not really cool for a boy to dance, so it was inspiring to see a movie like 'Footloose' where a guy is dancing masculine and had a proper reason behind it. 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