'Hairspray' celebrated its 15th anniversary in July 2022. Catch up on where its cast — Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, and extra — are now!
Mama, Hairspray is a large lady now! The film, inspired by way of John Waters’ 1980s classic and the Broadway musical, turned 15 years old in July 2022.
The manufacturing also launched Nikki Blonsky’s occupation and allowed fans to look legends like John Travolta and Queen Latifah otherwise. It additionally tackled a number of problems referring to race, body positivity, and advocacy.
Following the film’s release, most of the actors who starred in the challenge are nonetheless working, while others have taken different paths. So, where is the Hairspray cast 15 years later? Here’s what we all know!
Nikki Blonsky (Tracy Turnblad)
Nikki labored at an ice cream shop when she landed the starring role as Tracy Turnblad. Tracy’s bubbly personality, giant voice, and fiery resolution to be a celebrity resonated in lots of her scenes. After Hairspray, Nikki continued acting and snagged roles in Life Unfiltered and Quarantine. In June 2020, she shared some private news when she came out as gay by means of TikTok. Since then, Nikki has found her own Link Larkin — a jewellery designer named Hailey Jo Jenson.
John Travolta (Edna Turnblad)
John slipped on his high heels and poofy wig to play Tracy’s overprotective mom, Edna. His efficiency as the agoraphobic laundry worker won rave reviews, as many fanatics first noticed his tough-guy roles in Pulp Fiction and Grease. Once Hairspray wrapped, John’s career flourished, and he took on extra roles in From Paris with Love, American Crime Story, and Die Hart. He’s additionally been the matter of multiple memes for his award display flubs (we will be able to by no means overlook the Adele Dazeem debacle).
Sadly, John has persevered some private heartbreak in the public eye. In 2009, his son, Jett, died of a seizure. His spouse, Kelly Preston, also died of breast cancer in July 2020. The couple married in 1991 and feature two other children, Ella Bleu and Benjamin.
Zac Efron (Link Larkin)
Zac performed local teen heartthrob Link Larkin who fell for Tracy from the moment he noticed her dance moves. The role wasn’t too hard for Zac to play at the time, as he already had enthusiasts swooning for him after High School Musical debuted on the Disney Channel. Since Hairspray, he’s tried to shed his teen celebrity standing with edgier motion pictures like Dirty Grandpa and Gold. In 2019, Zac also starred in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, where he played the serial killer Ted Bundy. As for his love existence, the actor has been reportedly single since his 2020 breakup with Vanessa Valladares.
James Marsden (Corny Collins)
James used to be the clean, fun-loving host of WYZT, Corny Collins. The handsome DJ won more than one cool issues when he made up our minds to integrate his show with Black singers and dancers. Following his Hairspray function, James has landed a number of films and TV displays corresponding to Netflix’s Dead to Me, Mrs. America, and The Stand. Most recently, fans can catch him on Westworld as Teddy Flood.
Christopher Walken (Wilbur Turnblad)
Christopher played Tracy’s loving and supportive dad, Wilbur. Wilbur’s love for his daughter and Edna resonated with fanatics. Though Christopher had already been appearing for decades prior to Hairspray, he showed a lighter side of himself in the film. After Hairspray wrapped, he persevered appearing and signed on as Frank Sheldon in The Outlaws in 2021.
Amanda Bynes (Penny Pingleton)
As Penny, Amanda used to be Tracy’s best possible good friend and partner in crime. Penny’s quirky character and pigtails immediately stood out from fans, and she or he additionally discovered sudden love in the film. Before Hairspray, Amanda used to be already a child big name from her time on All That and The Amanda Show. Once Hairspray wrapped, regardless that, she confronted private turmoil in entrance of the public eye.
Throughout the past due 2000s, Amanda gained more than one arrests for drug fees and was in the end placed on a conservatorship, making her oldsters — Lynn Organ and Rick Bynes — accountable for her. In 2022, Amanda filed to finish her conservatorship and stepped out with a brand new guy — Paul Michael. Unfortunately, Amanda and Paul broke off their engagement in July 2022.
Queen Latifah (Motormouth Maybelle)
Queen Latifah played the colourful and nurturing Motormouth Maybelle. Motormouth Maybelle turned into a fan favourite as she taught us to be “big, bold, and beautiful.” Queen adopted the same philosophy off the display screen with her plus-size clothes partnerships and body advocacy paintings.
Since Hairspray, the multi-hyphenate celebrity has continued operating in television and movie. Fans can catch Queen Latifah on CBS’ The Equalizer as agent Robin McCall. She additionally starred in Netflix’s Hustle as Adam Sandler’s spouse.
Elijah Kelley (Seaweed)
Hairspray gave Elijah his large ruin, but the seasoned actor, singer, and dancer was once up for the challenge. He captivated the target audience along with his voice, choreography, and charm. Seaweed and Penny’s love also blossomed all the way through the film. After Hairspray, Elijah landed extra roles on Red Tails, The Butler, and The Wiz! Live. In 2017, he took on his first biopic as Ricky Bell in The New Edition Story. Elijah introduced in 2022 that he would painting some other music icon — Sammy Davis Jr — in a Hulu movie.
Brittany Snow (Amber Von Tussle)
Brittany took on the function of Tracy Turnblad’s arch nemesis, Amber Von Tussle. Amber was the Queen Bee of Baltimore and wouldn’t allow Tracy to scouse borrow her shine — or her man, Link. Ultimately, though, she lost both to Tracy. Following her time on Hairspray, Brittany starred in the Pitch Perfect trilogy, Someone Great, and Almost Family. In 2019, she directed her first movie, Milkshake, and starred in and produced another film, Hooking Up, in 2020. Brittany also tied the knot to real property dealer Tyler Stanaland in March 2020, according to Us Weekly.
Michelle Pfeiffer (Velma Von Tussle)
Michelle used to be already a notable big name before Hairspray because of her roles as Catwoman in Batman Returns and Louanne Johnson in Dangerous Minds. However, she became the villain you really liked to hate as Velma, an bold show mother who would do anything to see her and her daughter, Amber, prevail. After wrapping Hairspray, Michelle starred in Avengers: Endgame, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and Showtime’s The First Lady as Betty Ford.
Tayla Parx (Little Inez)
Tayla (real title Taylor Parks) performed Seaweed’s little sister and Motormouth Maybelle’s daughter, Little Inez. The petite powerhouse demanded her scenes and ultimately took house the coveted Miss Teenage Hairspray prize. After Hairspray, Tayla continued performing, appearing on True Jackson VP, Bones, and making a song The Sims Four video game. However, she’s grow to be more known for her paintings as a singer-songwriter. Tayla co-wrote “Thank You, Next” through Ariana Grande and “Love Lies” with Normani and Khalid.
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