Nikki Blonsky profile for “Hairspray”
It’s not surprising that Nikki Blonsky believes in miracles.
The 18-year-old performer believes she experienced one. Blonsky was selected out of more than 1,000 hopefuls to share the screen with John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Zac Efron and Amanda Bynes in the $75 million big-screen adaptation of “Hairspray,” based on the Tony Award-winning musical.
The 4-foot-10 Blonsky still can’t believe that director-choreographer Adam Shankman (“The Wedding Planner”) selected her to play Tracy Turnblad, the energy-packed, fast-stepping, plus-sized Baltimore teen who dreams of dancing on a local TV show and dating the hottest guy on the program.
“I didn’t feel during any point in the audition process that I had the role,” Blonsky said by telephone during a New York publicity stop for “Hairspray,” which opens July 20. “I still can’t believe that I got it!
“I just thought, ‘Thank God, someone realized how much I really wanted this part.’ “
Born and raised in Great Neck, New York, Blonsky was trying to get acting jobs and paying the bills by scooping ice cream at the Cold Stone Creamery in her hometown. After getting the role, she spent six months on the production, with nine weeks devoted to rehearsal and the rest of the time for actual production on a soundstage in Canada (to keep down costs).
Her nervousness stopped the moment Travolta took her under his wing.
“He gave me guidance and totally helped me out,” she said of the superstar, who had to endure a four-hour makeup process to play Tracy’s full-bodied mom, Edna Turnblad. “You come into some of these things and try to find your way.
“It’s always better with someone holding your hand through it. John was just the greatest guy, so kind and loving.”
“Hairspray” originated in 1988 as a film by Baltimore filmmaker John Waters (“Pink Flamingos”). The feel-good picture starred the cross-dressing actor Divine as Edna Turnblad and Jerry Stiller as Mr. Turnblad, who is played in the new film by Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter”). (Stiller makes a guest appearance as the owner of a clothing shop for plus-sized women.)
Blonsky spent some time with Waters, who gave her great insights into Tracy, played in the original film by Ricki Lake.
“I spent a day on the set with John Waters, and we spoke about his original concept for the role,” she recalled. “He told me that Tracy is a real girl and a cool girl who loves herself for who she is and doesn’t apologize for who she is.”
Though bubbly and bouncy, the 1962-set “Hairspray” also offers heartfelt themes about inclusion, equality and true beauty.
What does Blonsky hope viewers take away?
“The message of ‘Hairspray’ is acceptance and love for everyone,” she said.
Helping to deliver that message is one of Blonsky’s favorite performers, Queen Latifah, who plays a Baltimore personality struggling to get black dancers on an all-white TV music show.
“Queen Latifah has always been an idol of mine,” she said. “I love, love, love Queen Latifah, and to work with one of your idols and to share scenes with her was an inspiration.
“She’s like a sister to me.”
Blonsky, who has thought about taking over the Tracy Turnblad role in the current Broadway production of “Hairspray,” participates in most of the picture’s creatively energetic dance numbers. She had no trouble learning all the right moves.
“The dances weren’t really hard (to film), because we had two-and-a-half months of rehearsals,” said Blonsky, whose favorite film is Walt Disney’s “Mary Poppins.” “When the cameras shot the numbers, we were so used to them.
“I remember every step we took during the dances. It’s hard for me to sit back and just watch the movie, because I want to get up and dance.”
Blonsky recently signed with the William Morris Agency and is currently seeking acting opportunities. She hopes to model her career after that of a stage/screen veteran whose varied credits include “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962), the TV favorite “Murder, She Wrote” (1984-1996) and the voice of Mrs. Potts in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (1991).
“The great Angela Lansbury is my favorite performer,” the teenage actress said. “She has had such a long and successful career.
“And most of all, she seems to enjoy herself in every movie.”