Pondering the Fearless Tracey Turnblad...

TC talks about another source of inspiration… a fictional character. Someone who was fearless, accepted her adversity —not letting it come in the way of her dreams. Read on! – the editor

Tracey is a fictional character that was representative of my life. Let me explain.

Discovering myself has been an ongoing process for my 57 years of life. Influence and respect go hand in hand, especially self-respect. Acceptance is a key tangible. Image is another. Growing up a chubby kid, and eventually a gay chubby kid, there was not a lot of role models. Role models that defy convention. After all, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz wasn’t chubby, Nor was Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, nope no top-heavy tap dancers.

Then came Tracey.

A Creation of John Waters…

In 1988 Tracey Turnblad arrived on the scene, a creation of writer/director John Waters, the declared Pope of Trash who segued from R and X rated camp classics like Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, and Polyester. Hairspray was John’s first PG rated movie yet was 100% all John Waters. All these movies starred a big girl. Often played by a big boy. John Waters introduced us to Harris Glenn Milstead, professionally known as Divine, a big drag queen.

John’s second act: Introducing us to Ricki Lake and Tracey Turnblad.

Ricki is the actress who made her debut as the chubby girl with big dreams and a good beat that she can dance to, who did not let her size stop her. She had persistence, kept her dreams, and became the lead dancer on the Corny Collins Show, along with getting the handsome boy and integrating 1960’s Baltimore.

Tracey could dance, and dance well. She earned her spot, despite her size. She attracted the most handsome boy in school with her talent and personality.

Humble and Fearless…

Now being a chubby gay boy, I became a chubby gay man. Being chubby has its ups and downs, and until later in life, and self-confidence was in short supply. Being naïve and protective led to a lot of isolation. It also let to a solitary life, pre social media and the internet.

Tracey was fearless. She accepted her adversity yet did not let that come in the way of her dreams. A fictional character was my inspiration of a life being myself.

The years had passed, and in 2001 we saw Hairspray, and Tracey, evolve from a classic movie to a Broadway musical, to a musical motion picture, then to a live television musical special. The theme is universal. It puts a smile in my face and tears in my eyes.

This became true during transitions in my life. Most recently after my last day at my last job. I have known that my department was being farmed out to a contractor and had 3 months until my job ended. After I signed out for the last time, that afternoon, on YouTube, of all places. Hairspray- the musical film from 2007 was on, ironically when that film was released, my job at Discovery Channel Stores was ending.

But when Tracey opened up the movie with the song, Good Morning Baltimore, my heart opened with glee and happiness, along with tears. It was the cheer up I needed from the cheerleader that looked like me. Well, maybe at age 16.

Shout Out: John Waters…
See bonus video below…

Shout Out: Actresses Who Played Tracey Turnblad …

Along with dedicating today’s post to John Waters, the creator of Tracey, I’m also dedicating it to the actresses who brought her to stage and screen:

Shout Out: Edna Turnblad…

Also, I dedicate today’s column to the actors that played Tracey’s mom, Edna Turnblad.

This part has always been played by a man. It was Divine’s biggest success, who passed away a few weeks after it was released. Divine was about to hit the big time on Married With Children before his life was cut short. Gone too soon.

That’s a Wrap…

Honestly… ’nuff said. Thanks for reading, listening and pondering with me. —TC

Bonus Clips…

Ricki Lake on Playing the Iconic Role of Tracy Turnblad in ‘Hairspray’