If you’ve ever found yourself humming "Good Morning Baltimore" while getting ready in the morning, you’ve probably wondered about the lineage of the girl behind the can of Ultra Clutch. It’s a specific kind of magic. Who plays Tracy in Hairspray isn't just a question of casting; it’s about a role that has launched careers and defined what it means to be an underdog in American musical theater.
Tracy Turnblad is a powerhouse. She’s messy, she’s optimistic, and she’s got moves that shouldn't fit in a 1962 Baltimore high school. But they do.
From the grimy, cult-classic origins of the John Waters film to the neon-soaked Broadway stage and the big-budget Hollywood remakes, several women have stepped into those iconic school shoes. Each one brought something different. Some brought the grit. Others brought the "Disney-fied" polish.
The original rebel: Divine’s counterpart and the Ricki Lake era
Let's go back to 1988. John Waters was the "Pope of Trash," and he wasn't looking for a Broadway starlet. He found Ricki Lake.
Before she was a daytime talk show queen, Ricki Lake was the blueprint. At just 18 years old, she landed the role after an open casting call. Honestly, she was perfect. She had this raw, unpolished energy that made you believe she actually lived in a row house in Baltimore. In the original film, Tracy wasn't just a girl who liked to dance; she was a political firebrand.
Ricki’s Tracy was a bit more grounded in the reality of the 60s. There was a toughness to her. When she fought for integration on The Corny Collins Show, it didn’t feel like a musical number—it felt like a riot.
Waters famously told Lake that if she didn't lose weight, she wouldn't get the part. Then, he doubled back and told her if she did lose weight, she'd lose the part. It was a strange, specific moment in film history where being "pleasantly plump" (the show’s term, not mine) was the literal ticket to stardom. Ricki Lake paved the way. Without her, the Broadway version would have never had the DNA it needed to succeed.
Broadway’s big bang: Marissa Jaret Winokur
When Hairspray moved to the 52nd Street Theatre (the Neil Simon) in 2002, the stakes changed. This wasn't a cult film anymore. It was a massive, multi-million dollar musical.
Marissa Jaret Winokur was the one who took the mantle. She didn't just play Tracy; she was Tracy. Winokur’s performance is legendary because she was fighting her own battles behind the scenes. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer during the early stages of the show’s development. She kept it a secret from almost everyone because she was terrified she’d lose the role.
She won. Not just against the illness, but at the Tonys.
Winning the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical in 2003, she beat out the likes of Bernadette Peters. Think about that for a second. A newcomer in a fat suit—well, Winokur didn't use a fat suit, she was authentically cast—beating a Broadway legend. Her Tracy was pure sunshine. It was less about the grit of the 80s movie and more about the "Big, Blonde, and Beautiful" energy of the 21st-century stage.
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The 2007 explosion: Why Nikki Blonsky changed the game
Then came the movie musical. 2007. John Travolta in a dress. Zac Efron at his peak.
Finding who plays Tracy in Hairspray for the 2007 film was a global search. Producers looked at over 1,000 girls. They found Nikki Blonsky working at a Cold Stone Creamery in Great Neck, New York. It’s the ultimate "Cinderella" story of show business.
Blonsky’s Tracy is probably the version most people under the age of 30 think of first. She had this incredible belt—a singing voice that could shatter glass but felt like a hug. What made Blonsky special was her chemistry with the camera. She had this wide-eyed wonder that made the 2007 film feel like a fever dream of 1960s optimism.
However, the industry is tough. Blonsky has been very vocal over the years about how hard it was to find work after Hairspray. It’s a recurring theme for the women who play Tracy. They become the face of a movement, and then the industry doesn't know what to do with them once the wig comes off. It’s a nuance of the "Tracy legacy" that isn't talked about enough.
Maddie Baillio and the "Live" TV experiment
In 2016, NBC decided to do Hairspray Live!. Again, they went for an unknown.
Maddie Baillio was a student at Marymount Manhattan College when she beat out hundreds of others. Playing Tracy live on television is a completely different beast. There are no retakes. If your wig slips or you trip during "I Can Hear the Bells," millions of people see it in real-time.
Baillio brought a sweetness that was almost ethereal. While Winokur was brassy and Blonsky was energetic, Baillio felt like a genuine teenager trying to navigate a world that was changing too fast. Her performance proved that the character of Tracy Turnblad is evergreen. It doesn't matter if it's 1988, 2007, or 2016—the "nice girl" who wants to dance is a universal archetype.
The West End and beyond: International Tracys
We can't talk about who plays Tracy in Hairspray without mentioning the powerhouse Leanne Jones. She originated the role in the West End production in London.
Jones swept the awards in the UK, winning the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Much like Winokur, she was an underdog who became the center of the theatrical universe.
Other notable Tracys include:
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- Lizzie Bea: Led the London Coliseum revival in 2021 opposite Michael Ball.
- Niki Metcalf: Headlined the most recent US National Tour, bringing a TikTok-era sensibility to the role.
- Danielle Arci: A standout in regional productions who has become a fan favorite for her vocal precision.
The physical demands: It's not just singing
You've got to be an athlete. Seriously.
When you look at who plays Tracy in Hairspray, you’re looking at someone who is on stage for about 95% of the show. Tracy is rarely off-stage. She’s dancing in almost every number. She’s singing high-belt songs while being lifted by ensemble members.
And then there's the hair. The wigs used in the professional productions are heavy. They’re held on by a literal "helmet" of hairspray and pins. Many actresses who have played the role talk about the "Tracy headache"—the physical toll of wearing that much hair while doing high-impact cardio for two and a half hours.
It’s also about the emotional weight. Tracy is a character who deals with constant body shaming and racial tension. The actress has to maintain a high-vibe, "can-do" attitude while the script is throwing insults at her. It takes a specific kind of mental toughness to play the part night after night.
Why the casting of Tracy still sparks debate
The conversation around Tracy has evolved. In the early days, she was just "the big girl." Today, the discussion is more nuanced.
There's a constant debate in the theater community about the "authenticity" of the casting. Should Tracy always be played by a plus-sized actress? The answer from the creators has always been a resounding yes. The character’s size is central to her identity and the show’s message of radical self-acceptance.
However, we’ve seen some controversy in smaller regional theaters where thinner actresses have been cast and padded. This is almost universally panned by fans and critics alike. The whole point of Hairspray is that Tracy doesn't need to change to fit the world; the world needs to change to fit Tracy.
When searching for who plays Tracy in Hairspray, the "who" matters because of the "why." Casting someone who hasn't lived the experience of being "different" in that specific way can hollow out the message of the show.
The "Hairspray" curse or a launchpad?
It’s interesting to look at where these women go after the show.
Ricki Lake became a household name. Marissa Jaret Winokur has had a steady career in TV and film (you might remember her on Dancing with the Stars or Celebrity Big Brother). But for many others, Tracy is the peak.
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The industry still struggles with casting plus-sized leads in roles that aren't specifically about their weight. That’s the irony of Hairspray. It’s a show about breaking barriers, yet the actresses who play the lead often find themselves hitting a glass ceiling once they leave Baltimore.
Nikki Blonsky has spoken candidly about this. She’s a massive talent, yet she’s often relegated to "the best friend" or "the funny neighbor" in scripts. It's a reminder that while the stage version of the 1960s is integrated and accepting by the time the curtain falls, the modern entertainment industry still has a lot of "Corny Collins" energy to deal with.
How to find the next Tracy Turnblad
If you're looking for the current star, you have to look at the touring schedules. Hairspray is one of the most frequently produced musicals in the world.
If you're a performer wondering how to become the next person who plays Tracy in Hairspray, the advice from former Tracys is usually the same:
- Don't hold back. Tracy is 100% energy. There's no room for "cool."
- Master the "Pony." You need to know the 60s dance moves like the back of your hand.
- Protect your voice. The score is a vocal marathon.
- Find the heart. It's easy to play Tracy as a caricature. The best ones play her as a human being with real stakes.
The future of the character
As we move further into the 2020s, Tracy remains relevant. The themes of racial justice and body positivity are more prominent in the public consciousness than they were in 1988 or 2002.
We’re starting to see more diverse casting in the role, too. While Tracy is traditionally portrayed by white actresses (as the story focuses on her learning to be an ally to the Black community in Baltimore), the way she is portrayed is becoming more varied in terms of performance style and vocal arrangement.
Basically, whoever plays Tracy has to be a leader. She’s the engine of the show. If Tracy doesn't believe in the "Nicest Kids in Town," neither does the audience.
Actionable insights for Hairspray fans
If you're following the legacy of this character, here are a few things you can actually do to dive deeper:
- Watch the 1988 original: If you've only seen the 2007 movie, you’re missing the "camp" and the edge. Ricki Lake’s performance is a masterclass in understated teenage rebellion.
- Listen to the Broadway cast recording: Marissa Jaret Winokur’s vocals are the gold standard for how the character should sound on stage.
- Support the actresses in their new ventures: Follow Nikki Blonsky or Maddie Baillio on social media. They often share "behind the scenes" stories of their time in the wig that give you a real appreciation for the work.
- Check local theater listings: Hairspray is a staple of regional theater. Supporting a local actress playing Tracy is the best way to keep the spirit of the show alive.
The lineage of who plays Tracy in Hairspray is a short list of incredible women who took a chance on being themselves. It’s a role that demands everything and gives back a legacy of joy. Whether it's the 80s grit, the Broadway brass, or the Hollywood shine, Tracy Turnblad remains the ultimate underdog we can't help but root for.
Check your local theater's upcoming season—chances are, a new Tracy is currently pinning her hair up right now.