Jennifer Grey opens up about her time on Friends

Jennifer Gray opened up about her time on the popular sitcom Friends in 1995.

The actress, 63, appeared on the show’s first season as Mindy, Rachel Green’s (Jennifer Aniston) best friend, who eventually married Barry leaving Rachel at the altar.

Jennifer only appeared in the role once after having a really “severe scare,” causing Mindy to be recast with Jana Marie Hupp in the role.

Speak against MediaVillagethe Dirty Dancing star explained that she was “a fan of the show” when she got the offer, but found it difficult because producers “changed” the scene and her lines caused her “performance anxiety.”

She said, “When I did it I had such a big fear because they kept changing the script. It’s really hard being a guest star because you’re not a part of it, and you’re really trying to figure it all out.

Role: The actress, 63, appeared in the show’s first season as Mindy, Rachel Green’s (Jennifer Aniston) best friend who eventually married the man she left behind at the altar

“They tried to figure out what the character was, what the scene was, and it changed and changed and changed. It all made me so anxious that I almost couldn’t do it anymore.’

Jennifer added that at the time, she only knew she “needed help in the anxiety department” after taking the role.

When offered to return to the role of Mindy, the actress said she died because her anxiety was so bad.

Jennifer also commented that she was “sad” after she was also unwilling to host Saturday Night Live at the time.

She continued, “It saddens me that because of my anxiety I would say no to continuing on Friends or doing Saturday Night Live. The truth is I wish I had people to help me navigate that kind of fear, but I couldn’t be there until I got there’.

It comes after Jennifer was thrilled to see a fellow passenger watching Dirty Dancing while taking a flight on Valentine’s Day.

The actress shared a video of the traveler watching the final dance scene on her Instagram account.

“Get on the plane this Valentine’s Day and look what I’m spying on with my little (eye emoji)!! #dirtydancing,” she captioned the photo.

Stressful: The Dirty Dancing star explained she was “a fan of the show” when she got the offer, but found it difficult as producers “changed” her rules, which caused her “performance anxiety”

Pass: When offered to return to the role of Mindy, the actress said she passed away because her anxiety was so bad, noting that she was “sad” after being unwilling to host Saturday Night Live as a result

The original movie was released in 1987 and followed the romance of Baby Houseman and her dance instructor Johnny Castle, and now a sequel is in the works with Jennifer returning to her original role.

Back in November, Jennifer revealed a few new details about the upcoming sequel, including that several characters from the original will return.

Jennifer hinted to Extra that audiences heading to the sequel will be treated to the sight of her own “Baby, quite a few years older” character.

She added, “You’ll see other characters coming from the original,” acknowledging that making the sequel will be “tricky and exciting.”

Jennifer noted that the sequel will not only bring back some old faces, but also an old set piece – a made-up Catskills resort called Kellerman’s.

She starred in the original 1987 film as a 1960s high school girl who vacations with her parents at Kellerman’s and falls for the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle, played by Patrick Swayze.

Patrick passed away in 2009 at the age of 57 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, and Jennifer has previously confessed that his absence will make the sequel a challenge.

“What happened has happened and it will never happen again,” she said of the original film in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

“There will never be another Johnny. There will never be another Patrick. This sequel should be its own standalone piece. It’s very difficult.’

When asked about the sequel in general, she replied, “Unfortunately I can’t tell you much, but I’ll tell you it will be about Baby.” It will involve Kellerman’s. There will be music.’

Exciting: It comes after Jennifer spilled a few new details about the upcoming Dirty Dancing sequel — including that multiple characters from the original will be back

Jennifer, who now has an adult daughter, added self-deprecatingly, “Unless there’s a lot of CGI, Baby will get a little older.”

She continued, “It’s going to be Kellerman’s, music, dance, love story, romance. I’m just so super committed and invested in making a fresh version of it [take].’

She explained the logistics, sharing, “There’s a script, we’re working on the script. We will record it in the spring of 2023 and it will be released on February 9, 2024.”

Dirty Dancing was directed by Emile Ardolino, who went on to make Sister Act before dying of AIDS complications in 1993 at age 50.

The upcoming sequel will be directed by Jonathan Levine, whose filmography includes such films as 50/50 and Warm Bodies.