Nikki Blonsky

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Nikki Blonsky

Blonsky at a fashion show, 2008
Born November 9, 1988 (1988-11-09) (age 19)
Great Neck, Long Island, New York, United States
Years active 2007–Present

Nikki Blonsky (born November 9, 1988) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her Critics' Choice Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated[1] role as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, a 2007 screen adaptation of the stage musical adaptation of the John Waters film of the same name.

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Personal life

Blonsky was born Nicole Margaret Blonsky in Great Neck, New York, the daughter of Karen (née Smeja), a school aide, and Carl Blonsky, a municipal worker for the village water pollution control district.[2][3] She has a brother, Joey. Blonsky worked at Cold Stone Creamery before starting her work on Hairspray.[2] She graduated from Great Neck Village School in June 2006, having transferred into the school from Great Neck North High School in her sophomore year.[3] Although her father is Jewish, she was raised in her mother's Catholic religion. She wanted to be Tracy Turnblad when she saw Hairspray on Broadway. She tried out for the part then, but was told she was too young.[4][5] Coincidentally, she was born the same year the original Hairspray film was released.

She later earned the nickname Nikki Bonsklia from the director/choreographer of Hairspray, Adam Shankman.[6]

In 2008 Blonsky announced plans to star in a television sitcom, which is currently in the planning stages[7].

Career

Awards

Blonsky was honored in the 13th Annual Critics' Choice Awards for her role as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray in 2007 (Best Young Actress). She was taped "screaming her brains out" when she won the award. Blonsky, along with Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, Brittany Snow, Allison Janney, and Elijah Kelley, also won best acting ensemble in Hairspray.

Music career

Before working as a soloist she recorded a song dedicated to those who died on September 11th along with local guitarist Jon Kestenbaum. Blonsky began work on her debut album in September 2007. She confirmed in November 2007 that she was working with alternative rock musician Duncan Sheik on a number of tracks. Her first single, "On a High", a cover of one of Sheik's tracks, was featured in the Lifetime Original Movie Queen Sized, in which Blonsky also starred. She plans to release the track to radio stations in March 2008.[citation needed] On December 18th, 2007, she performed with the Turtle Creek Chorale in her first solo performance.

Blonsky covered the Disney classic "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from Cinderella for DisneyMania 6, which was released on May 20, 2008.[citation needed]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes Release
2007 Hairspray Tracy Turnblad Nominated for a Golden Globe July 20
2008 Queen Sized Maggie Baker January 12
Harold Rhonda Summer

Obesity

Nikki Blonsky is often given recognition as being the only obese teen actress. Her popularity is seen by critics as a sign of the rapidly slipping image and weight paradigms in the US.

References

  1. ^ 2007 Golden Globe Nominations. Awards Daily's Oscar Watch (2007-12-13). Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
  2. ^ a b Kahn, Robert. "Nikki Blonsky's career takes hold with 'Hairspray'", New York's CW 11, 2007-07-15. Retrieved on 2007-07-21. 
  3. ^ a b Fischler, Marcelle S.. "The Big Time; For 'Hairspray' Star", The New York Times, 2007-07-08. Retrieved on 2007-07-21. 
  4. ^ Bloom, Nate. "She's the Man: A Q&A with Amanda Bynes", InterfaithFamily.com, 2007-07-10. Retrieved on 2008-01-01. 
  5. ^ Fox, Michael. "ARTS: Welcome To The '60s", The Detroit Jewish News, 2007-07-19. Retrieved on 2007-07-21. 
  6. ^ Downing, Sam. "Zac Efron & Nikki Blonsky Interview", yourMovies. Retrieved on 2008-01-22. [dead link]
  7. ^ From zap2it.com

External links