New Line Plucks Unknown for 'Hairspray' Lead

Zap2It.com | June 9, 2006

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Producers spanned the globe looking for their lead and found Nicole Blonsky

Nicole Blonsky wasn't quite discovered at the counter at Schwabs, but as out-of-nowhere stories go, hers is pretty good.

After a nationwide search, the makers of New Line's "Hairspray" have chosen the 17-year-old New York resident and Cold Stone Creamery employee to star in their big screen adaptation of the Broadway smash hit based on John Waters' 1988 film.

Blonsky, who stands 4-foot-10, will play Tracy Turnblad in the otherwise star-studded musical, also set to feature John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Amanda Bynes. Adam Shankman is directing the 2007 summer release. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who won a Tony for their Broadway score, are writing multiple new songs for the feature

In Waters' film, Ricki Lake played Tracy, a zaftig teen who finds fame, and teaches Baltimore a few lessons about integration, dancing on a '60s TV show. The film launched Lake's career, albeit in some strange directions. Marissa Jaret Winokur won a Tony in 2003 for playing Tracy on Broadway.

News of Blonsky's casting was revealed on Thursday (June 9) on "Entertainment Tonight." The current ice cream scooper's acting experience has mostly been limited to high school shows previously.