Mane Attraction: Hairspray's Wild and Woolly Tangle of Stars

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Happy Monday, people. I did a fun round of interviews at the famed Four Seasons this weekend with the folks from Hairspray. Shout-out to producer "Big Game" Dave for calling the shots. There were 12 interviews in all (look for them in coming posts), in a cast that has starred in some of my all-time favorite flicks: Michelle Pfeiffer (Scarface); John Travolta (Pulp Fiction); Queen Latifah (Juice); Christopher Walken (True Romance); and Allison Janney (Celebrity). Not a bad lineup. I also kicked it with the next generation of stars: Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes and Elijah Kelley, as well as the best new addition to Hollywood in years, Nikki Blonsky. 

The story of her casting is nothing short of a Hollywood fairy tale. Handpicked from her job at a Cold Stone ice-cream shop in Great Neck, New York, she makes her big-screen debut with some of the most iconic actors in the business. And she holds her own! In fact, homegirl knocks it out of the park, and I'm so happy and proud of her. She's this year's Jennifer Hudson. See you at the Globes, Nikki!

Check out these tantalizing tidbits I learned from the folks from the musical with a message.   

Refreshing Waters:  Adam Shankman had lunch with John Waters in Baltimore when he signed on to direct and choreograph this remake. Big J.W. told him, "Just make it your own.  Don't do what I did." Obviously John was happy with the final outcome, as he lends his likeness to the film with a great cameo in the opening number.   

Driven to Succeed:  Allison Janney auditioned for Paul Newman when she was a drama student at his alma mater, Kenyon College. Her secret to landing the part? She played up her need for speed and her passion for driving and for fast cars, knowing the key to Newman's heart was racing. Well played, Allison. 

A Queen Who Wears Many Crowns:  Queen Latifah manages Terrence Howard. I actually already knew this, but it's cool to hear her discuss his career and the projects he has coming up, including August Rush with Keri Russell and, of course, Iron Man, alongside Robert Downey Jr. Latifah is the best. I heard she took in a Saturday night screening of Transformers alongside the junketeers. Now that's a woman of the people.

Blonksy Ambition:  Nikki Blonsky is getting paparazzi'd and the movie hasn't come out yet! Even during production of the film, the Hollywood rookie worked it like a veteran while dealing with the press on set and on the town. But she hasn't let her recent notoriety change her in any way. She is refreshing to be around in a way that is incredibly inspirational. Keeping her eyes on the prize, she hopes to follow another dream by starring on Broadway before she goes out looking for another movie. 

Come back to the Lyons Den soon to see the sit-down interviews. In the words of Walken, "I need more cowbell!"