Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
PAYSON — Kevin Bacon is coming back for one last prom at Payson High School before the building is torn down.
The actor, who filmed many scenes of the iconic 1984 film "Footloose" at the high school, met virtually with students Friday morning and accepted the student body's nearly yearlong campaign to get him to go to the building's last prom next month, in a scene captured by NBC's "Today Show."
Students at Payson High School, where "Footloose" was filmed, are on an all-out mission to have star Kevin Bacon attend their prom.
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 22, 2024
In a TODAY exclusive, @KayleeHartung reports on their viral campaign — and @kevinbacon's responds live! pic.twitter.com/03iduiYDUB
"I've been so impressed with everything that's been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back," he said. "The movie and Payson High School was a big part of my life and I've been amazed at the work that all of you have been putting into this. ... I'm going to come. I've got to come.
"Let's dance," he added, as he signed off from a movie set in Georgia.
Payson High students erupted in cheers as Bacon made the announcement.
"We've worked so hard this year and done our absolute best to make this crazy dream a reality," said Payson High School student body president Rubie Raff. "I can't believe that it's finally happening and that we can say we did it! It was all worth it. We got Kevin back to Payson!"
Payson students began the "#BaconToPayson" campaign on social media last year, ahead of the final school year at the building after it was slated to close and be demolished. Jenny Staheli, the school's student council adviser, said in July 2023, it was a way to give the old building "a big sendoff," while also celebrating the legacy of the film that turns 40 this year.
For months, students posted pictures with Kevin Bacon cutouts and recreated some of the movie's biggest scenes, to ask the actor to come to the building's final prom. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox even weighed in, pleading with Bacon in November to come back to Payson High in a video posted on X.
Students also pledged to create 5,000 essential resource kits for the local area as a part of Bacon's charity organization, SixDegrees.org, on the same day as prom.
"It hasn't gone unnoticed by me," Bacon said of all the posts, videos and attention to his foundation.
He will return to the school April 20, but it won't be his only appearance in the state where "Footloose" was filmed. Lehi City announced last month Bacon and his brother, Michael, will perform at the city's Round-Up concert in June. Some of the movie scenes were also shot in Lehi.
The movie remains one of the more memorable films shot in Utah, which is also celebrating a major anniversary this year. This year marks 100 years of movies and television filmed in the state. Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission, said Friday's announcement adds to the celebrations the commission is sponsoring this year.
"'Footloose' is one of those iconic moments in Utah's film history that made both an impact on Utah and the world," she said. "I am so proud of the Payson High School students and hope this celebration will remind everyone of Utah's rich film history."
Payson's new high school building will open at a new location later this year.
