Nikki Blonsky (on Hairspray, Broadway, Zac Efron, John Travolta & Coming Out)

Nikki Blonsky steps Behind The Rope. We cannot help but to feel nostalgic with Nikki in the house. Nikki chats with us about what it was like to land the breakout role of Tracy Turnblad in the film version of the iconic Hairspray. Nikki talks about what life was like as a Long Island girl who went to see Hairspray on Broadway with her Mom and said “hey, I can do that”. Little did she know that years later she would be landing one of the most iconic parts in any Broadway musical. We chat about all the details from the audition process, to the mind of John Waters to how life changed after the film came out and made her a household name. Of course, we chat about some of Nikki’s Hairspray co-stars such as Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron (ok we need a moment to recover), Michelle Pfeiffer, John Travolta (whom she still calls “Mom”) and Queen Latifah. We also chat about some of the original film’s stars such as Debbie Harry, Ricki Lake & Divine. On a more serious note, we discuss the pressures of being type cast in Hollywood, how Nikki found it hard to find work after Hairspray, the pitfalls of fame and the best and worst parts about “the business”. Nikki was also on two of our fav shows, Ugly Betty and Smash which, of course, we love. Finally, Nikki came out via TikTok, of course, where would anyone else come out in these modern times in which we live, during the Pandemic last year to Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out”. Nikki chats about the details of that coming out, her love life since, why it is hard for “Tracy Turnblad” on the dating apps and just how Zac Efron seems to work his way into every date she has. @nikkiblonsky @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef BONUS EPISODES Available at - https://www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope This episode is brought to you by STORYWORTH https://www.storyworth.com/velvet ($10 off First Purchase) MERCH Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices