John Travolta shows off his classic moves in a playful dance tutorial for James Corden and Aaron Taylor-Johnson
John Travolta, at 65, continues to age like a fine wine, embodying the essence of legendary status. In a recent episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden, he playfully demonstrated that he still has the moves by giving James Corden a cheeky dance lesson. The episode began with Corden asking English power couple Aaron and Sam Taylor-Johnson about their Halloween transformations into Uma Thurman and John Travolta’s iconic Pulp Fiction characters. This led to a nostalgic discussion about the beloved film, particularly the famous dance sequence starring Travolta and Thurman.
Corden then persuaded Travolta to teach them how to dance. Known for his unforgettable performances in Saturday Night Fever and Grease, Travolta once ruled the dance floor and, during the show, proved that he still has what it takes. Travolta guided the group through various dance moves, including the mashed potato, the hip shaker, the twist, the swim, and, of course, the Batman. Despite the simplicity of the routine, Travolta’s undeniable charisma made the segment thoroughly enjoyable to watch.
On December 5, 2019, an episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden featured Travolta teaching a dance class. The video quickly became a hit, garnering 18.9 million views on Corden’s YouTube channel. Fans expressed their joy at seeing Travolta return to the dance floor, leaving comments like “You never lose class, John Travolta,” and “John Travolta should be recognized as a national treasure.” His charm, legendary status, strength, and positive energy were widely celebrated.
The dance scene between Travolta and Thurman in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is one of the most iconic moments in cinema history. In the film, Travolta plays Vincent Vega, a career criminal tasked with entertaining Mia Wallace, the boss’s wife, portrayed by Thurman. When they arrive at the venue, Mia insists on entering the dance competition, leading to their famous dance to Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell.” The moves that Travolta performed on Corden’s show were reminiscent of those from the original scene.
During the Corden segment, Travolta revealed interesting insights into the creation of the dance scene in Pulp Fiction. He explained that Quentin Tarantino was initially fixated on both characters doing the twist, which, while fun, could become monotonous if prolonged. Travolta suggested incorporating other novelty dances from his youth, like the swim and the Batman, to add variety. Tarantino agreed, and thus, the legendary dance scene was born, showcasing Travolta’s influence on its creation.
