What happened to Nikki Blonsky after Hairspray? Controversial actress goes viral over topping Cameo charts

Nikki Blonsky is going viral for her online presence as she becomes one of the most in-demand stars on the Cameo website. The former actress, who left Hollywood after her performance in "Hairspray," is once again making headlines for her success on Cameo. While auditioning for better acting gigs, she got a cosmetology license and chose to work as a hairstylist and makeup artist.

Cameo is a platform where fans can request personalized and customized videos from their favorite stars. Blonsky has achieved a huge following on TikTok by creating videos that reference the iconic "Hairspray" movie.

Her success on the platform has led her to increase her Cameo video rates from $20 to $100.

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More about Nikki Blonsky and the reason she quit Hollywood

Back in 2007, Nikki Blonsky was the rising star of Hairspray, who won a Critics Choice Award and was slated for a successful Hollywood career.

However, on 30 July, 2008, Nikki Blonsky's family was waiting in the lounge area of an airport in Turks and Caicos when, according to reports, they got into a verbal argument that escalated into a physical altercation with America's Next Top Model season nine contestant Bianca Golden and her family.

It was widely reported by many news outlets that Blonsky's father had made racist remarks towards Bianca, sparking the altercation.

In a 2017 interview with Out Magazine, the actress, who has since taken on small roles in films and TV shows such as "Huge," "Smash," "Ugly Betty," "Bosco," and "Geography Club," opened up about how the incident affected her. She said,

"I did not take a conscious step out of Hollywood. Singing and acting has been my dream since I was three. It kind of feels like the industry left me. I would be lying if I said I still didn't struggle with it. I see a lot of my other co-stars steadily working and I question whether I did something wrong."

She further added:

“I've had some great projects: I've done Ugly Betty and Smash and starred in various films. I'm getting ready to be on Off-Broadway. Like you said, however, I've never quite done anything again that's been at the level of Hairspray. At a certain point I just have to throw my hands up and say, It is what it is."

After the actress came out as a lesbian on TikTok in 2020, the controversial incident from the past resurfaced, prompting Blonsky to issue a statement on Instagram.

“I am deeply saddened and hurt to hear I have been wrongly accused of ever having anything other than love in my heart for someone of a different race when that couldn’t be further from the truth. I am finally in a good place in my life living my true self I do not feel the need to rehash the trauma we all experienced that day or point fingers at anyone else to try to tarnish their reputation."

In 2023, according to People Magazine, Nikki Blonsky married her longtime partner, Hailey Jo Jensen, whom she met through the Cameo app.

In an interview with Out Magazine, the actress shared why she decided to go public with the news.

"My brother got married in November, and it is just so nice to see people being able to refer to their spouse. And I want to be able to refer to my wife. So yeah, it now felt like the right time. And with Pride Month coming up, I always want to encourage people to live their truth and live their best life, and everybody deserves love."

Nikki Blonsky has now surpassed drag performer Kori King to claim the No.1 spot as the most in-demand star on the social media platform.