Summary
Nikki Blonsky was a breakthrough star when she appeared inHairspray, but she didn’t really appear in anything as big afterward. 2007’sHairsprayis a delightful remake of the John Waters musical classic from 1988. Even John Travolta, whose voice is nothing particularly special, is still excellent as Edna Turnblad. However, it’s Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, who’s the real star of the film. Tracy’s unshakable optimism and unwavering acceptance of everyone and anyone makes her a darling film protagonist.
Tracy is a 16-year-old student in Baltimore, Maryland in the 1960s and though some people are concerned with her weight, Tracy is not one of them. She’s kind, peppy, and much more confident than her shy best friend, Penny Lou Pingleton,played by Amanda Bynes. Tracy dreams of being a star and dancing onThe Corny Collins Show, and her efforts to do so also end up seeingTracy work to break down racial barriers between Baltimore’s white and Black communities. It’s a sweet and infectious movie, and most viewers would have assumed Blonsky had big things ahead.
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Nikki Blonsky Is At Peace With Not Repeating Her Hairspray Success
Blonsky Is Happy With How Her Career Has Turned Out
As Tracy, Blonsky sings, dances, and acts: a true triple threat. It’s a technically difficult performance from an actor who, beforehand, had not been in anything. Blonsky’s professional acting debut was as the star of a beloved cult musical movie, andshe completely nailed the performance, as if she’d been working for years.Hairsprayearned three Golden Globe nominations, including one for Blonsky, as well as a SAG nomination for the cast. OnRotten Tomatoes, the film has a 92%, and it earned almost $204 million at the box office (viaBox Office Mojo).
Despite how critical Blonsky was to the success of the film, she never ended up reaching the same heights of stardom.
Despite how critical Blonsky was to the success of the film, she never ended up reaching the same heights of stardom. But that doesn’t seem to bother the talented actress. The way she speaks about it,Blonsky was just happy for the opportunity and considers acting just like any other jobwith ups and downs. She toldOut,
“I did not take a conscious step out of Hollywood… Singing and acting has been my dream since I was three. It kind of feels like the industry left me. It’s no offense to the industry because I understand that there are new actors and actresses everyday. There are new films and new roles to be cast… I’ve had some great projects: I’ve doneUgly BettyandSmashand starred in various films. I’m getting ready to be on Off-Broadway. Like you said, however, I’ve never quite done anything again that’s been at the level ofHairspray. At a certain point I just have to throw my hands up and say, ‘It is what it is.'”
It’s a good attitude to have, and one that seems to have ensured that Blonsky got to pursue her dream of acting professionally, even if she never became the massive star many expected her to be afterHairspray.
The role of Edna Turnblad is traditionally played by a male actor on film and Broadway, starting with Divine in Waters’ original movie.
Blonsky Has Continued To Work Steadily In Hollywood
John Travolta And Nikki Blonsky Keep In Touch
Despite not becoming a Hollywood A-lister, Blonsky has had an excellent career. She’s appeared in notable movies likeThe Last Movie Staras Faith and even starred in the 2024 Peacock biographical dramaBoscoas Tammy. Blonsky has had even more success on television. She starred inHugeas Will Rader andValemontas Poppy Barker. She hasn’t lost touch with herHairsprayco-stars either.Blonsky keeps in close touch with John Travoltaand said in an interview,
“They always want to know who I still keep in touch with, and I always say, ‘Well, you got to keep in touch with your mom!’ John [Travolta] is the one that has had my heart from the minute I met him, and he will forever be one of the most special people in my life. He keeps in touch with me. Not a birthday, not a holiday goes by where we don’t hear from each other, and it’s just so lovely to just have that.”
Blonsky also found success onCameo, the celebrity personal message app, which is where her spouse, Hailey Jo Jenson, reached out to her. In an interview withOut, Blonsky and Jenson announced their marriage and Jenson talked about their courtship,
“I saw Nikki in 2007, and I had a crush on her ever since. And I saw that she was live on TikTok one day, and she was randomly adding people into her TikTok LIVE. And she randomly chose me, and I talked to her. And after the call, the TikTok LIVE, I slid into her DMs, as well as I ordered a Cameo from her so she would see my name. And so it started from there.”
While Nikki Blonsky a box office mainstay, appearing inDuneor another major blockbuster, she’s done very well for herself in a difficult business. What’s more, she’s managed to stay true friends with a key figure fromHairsprayand has also found the time to fall in love.
Hairspray
Cast
Hairspray is a musical comedy film directed by Adam Shankman, based on the Broadway musical of the same name. Set in 1960s Baltimore, it follows teenager Tracy Turnblad, played by Nikki Blonsky, who dreams of dancing on a popular TV show. Featuring performances by John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Zac Efron, the film explores themes of racial integration and body positivity.
