Hairspray: Remaking a Cult Classic

An American actress best known for her part in the 2007 musical remake of Hairspray for the silver screen, Nikki Blonsky played the role of Tracy Turnblad. Blonsky also appeared in the 2008 TV movie Queen Sized and starred on the short lived television series Huge.

Early life

Nikki Blonsky grew up on Long Island, New York, and was raised in the Catholic religion. She joined the theatre arts program at William A. Shine Great Neck South High School and appeared in theatrical productions of Kiss Me Kate, Sweeney Todd , the opera Carmen and Les Miserable. Blonsky worked scooping ice cream at the Stone Cold Creamery before landing her breakthrough role in the 2007 film version of Hairspray.

Hairspray

Nikki Blonsky dreamed of starring in Hairspray ever since she was a child. As a 17 year old aspiring actress working in an ice cream shop, she received the chance of a lifetime when producers from New Line Cinema cast her as Tracy Turnblad in the new Hairspray film. Blonsky made the most of the opportunity and delivered a fantastic performance in the film. She co-starred in Hairspray with superstar John Travolta, singer turned actress Queen Latifah and teen heartthrob Zac Effron.

Post Hairspray career

Next in line for Blonsky was a starring role in the Lifetime original movie Queen Sized, where she also performed a song featured on the soundtrack. In 2009, Blonsky guest starred on an episode of Ugly Betty, and in 2010 she starred in the ABC Family series Huge. Unfortunately, the ratings for Huge were not strong, and the show was cancelled after only three months on the air.

A talented actress and singer, Nikki Blonsky experienced amazing success at only seventeen years of age when she went directly from working in an ice cream shop to co-starring with John Travolta in the movie Hairspray.