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 role as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, a 2007 screen adaptation of the stage musical adaptation of the John Waters film of the same name.
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. She has a brother, Joey. Blonsky worked at Cold Stone Creamery before starting her work on Hairspray. 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. 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. 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.
On August 1, 2008, Blonsky and her father were arrested after they were involved in a brawl in the departure lounge of Providenciales International Airport, Turks and Caicos Islands with the family of Bianca Golden, a former contestant of America's Next Top Model. Blonsky and Golden were both charged with actual bodily harm, while Blonsky's father was charged with grievous bodily harm. Blonsky was later released on bail. An unsubstantiated video clip, purportedly taken immediately following the confrontation, has surfaced which contains a supposed eye-witness claiming Bianca Goldman was responsible for starting the confrontation.
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, James Marsden, John Travolta, Zac Efron, Brittany Snow, Allison Janney, and Elijah Kelley, also won best acting ensemble in Hairspray.
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. On December 18, 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.
In 2008, Blonsky announced plans to star in a television sitcom, which is currently in the planning stages.
On 22 June 2008 she sang the American National Anthem in the pre race ceremony at the 2008 ToyotaSave Mart 350 that took place at Infineon Raceway.
