Hairspray… again
I need to rewatch the 1988 version of Hairspray, and possibly look up the coverage. I remember the movie was a big hit, then, without any need to put name stars in drag. And while I’m seeing a whole lot of praise for how this movie is such a positive force for plus people, I can’t help but think of what happened with Ricki Lake, who went from plus size force of nature to skinny talk show host catering to the narrow minded and superstitious of North America. Interestingly, Ricki Lake will have a cameo in the new version of Hairspray.
I have to wonder – and worry – what advice she would give to Nikki Blonsky. There’s an enormous pressure on women outside the norm in Hollywood, and let’s face it, despite the fact that they’re the world center of entertainment, when it comes to their perceptions of women as characters, they’re some of the least imaginative people in the world out there. If Nikki were to lose weight for career reasons alone, rather than from some other organic change, it would indeed be a loss, much as the impact of the first Hairspray movie was quickly negated.
Editor’s note:
I crafted this post over seven days ago. Notably, Glen at FullFigurePlus has similar thoughts on the matter.
I must have blinked becuase I don’t remember Ricki Lake being a force for plus sizes. Lets hope that Nikki doesn’t get caught up in the hollywood machine and negate all the plus size talk about the movie. No comment on John Travolta in the fat suit.
Yep, she was very vocal right after the move came up until aruond 92, at which point she suddenly came out as thin and ready for a mike.
I’m waiting to see it before I pass any judgments on John Travolta. He was hired because he really can dance it, and the film needed a name of his proportions. From what I’ve read, he does seem to be honoring the character, including her size.