Born: 1988 (Great Neck, New York)
Biography:
Nicole Blonsky, known professionally as Nikki Blonsky, was born on November 9, 1988, in Great Neck, New York. She comes from a diverse heritage, with her father being Jewish and her mother Roman Catholic. Blonsky grew up in Great Neck, where she attended Great Neck North Middle School and later John L. Miller Great Neck North High School. She spent a year at the latter before switching to Village School. At William A. Shine Great Neck South High School, Blonsky participated in the after-school theatre program and showcased her talent in productions such as Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd, Kiss Me, Kate, and even took on the title role in Carmen.
Blonsky’s acting career began unexpectedly, and she landed her breakthrough role as Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 film adaptation of Hairspray. Remarkably, despite having no professional acting or singing background, Blonsky beat out eleven-hundred candidates for the role. The film, directed by Adam Shankman, was an enormous success both commercially and critically, cementing Blonsky’s place in Hollywood. She garnered acclaim for her performance, with Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times particularly praising her ability to infuse the movie with her infectious happiness.
Blonsky’s exceptional portrayal of Tracy Turnblad earned her several accolades and nominations. She won two Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Actress and Best Acting Ensemble, and her star power led to a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress and a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Her talent and undeniable charisma resonated with audiences worldwide, establishing Blonsky as a rising star in the entertainment industry.
In addition to her iconic role in Hairspray, Blonsky’s career continued to flourish. She co-starred in the MTV mystery series Valemont in 2009 and appeared as Willamena Rader in the short-lived ABC Family series Huge, alongside Raven Goodwin in 2010. The latter presented her with a Teen Choice Award nomination. Blonsky also had a recurring role as Margot in the hit series Smash in 2013. She further showcased her acting abilities in the films Geography Club (2013) playing Therese and The Last Movie Star (2017) embodying the character Faith.
Off-screen, Blonsky is a licensed cosmetologist, utilizing her skills in the beauty industry. She has used her platform and remarkable journey in the entertainment industry to inspire others. Blonsky’s success story demonstrates that talent and determination can overcome any obstacle, serving as a motivation for aspiring actors and performers.
Awards:
– Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress (2008) – Hairspray
– Critics’ Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble (2008) – Hairspray
– Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (2008) – Hairspray
– Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (2008) – Hairspray
– Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV: Female Breakout Star (2010) – Huge