Hairspray is 15 years old! Nikki Blonsky and Adam Shankman Reveal Set Secrets from Iconic Movie Musical

Hairspray is 15 years old! Nikki Blonsky and Adam Shankman Reveal Set Secrets from Iconic Movie Musical

Updated on July 21, 2022 18:19 PM by Anthony Christian

Featuring a cast of recognizable faces

The beat is still in Hairspray! On Wednesday, Adam Shankman's glitzy, ground-breaking film musical celebrates its 15th anniversary. Hairspray is a movie version of the 2002 Broadway production of the same name (which was premised on John Waters' 1988 film starring Ricki Lake).

It continues to follow scrappy teen Tracy Turnblad as she pursues high ambitions while trying to fight for racial justice in 1960s Baltimore.

With the cast that included old characters such as James Marsden, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Allison Janney — and, of course, John Travolta in drag as Edna Turnblad the film also introduced the world to relatively new talent such as Elijah Kelley, Brittany Snow, and Nikki Blonsky in the title role of Tracy.

To celebrate Hairspray's crystal anniversary

To commemorate Hairspray's crystal anniversary, PEOPLE spoke with star Blonsky, 33, and director Shankman, 57, about some behind-the-scenes details that even the biggest, blondest, and most lovely fans might not know. 

Blonsky tells PEOPLE that she still has a close relationship with up-on-screen mom Travolta, 68, and has reconnected with several other Hairspray cast members over the years, including Snow, 36, "a couple of summers ago at the Nantucket Film Festival."

"We both just shrieked because we were so pleased to see each other and I love her," she says.

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Shankman still keeps in touch with many of the actors

"And I'd spoken with Elijah a couple more times, and he's always been one of my favorite people I've ever worked with," Blonsky says. "He's a lot of fun, and no one can match his sense of humor. He is the prankster's jokester. As a result, I adore him as well."

Shankman maintains contact with many of the actors. "I was just with Marsden to do Disillusioned [the sequel to 2007's Enchanted, which Shankman is directing], so that was that," he tells. I just received a text message from Latifah. I recently spoke with John Travolta.

Michelle has just finished speaking with Brittany Snow

Michelle, I'll be having dinner with you soon. I just spoke with Brittany Snow. I've reached out to Nikki. I haven't spoken with Amanda. I spoke with Zac about a year ago when he was in Australia. I recently spoke with Elijah... he had just gotten a job for which I was extremely proud of him."

"So we just keep in touch and send each other virtual love. Some of us see each other, but if you look at everyone's lives, we're all extremely busy "Shankman continues. "As a result, we don't see each other. Someone would have to try to organize a gathering for us to do that."

If he'd be interested in an in-person reunion, Shankman says, "If they get a screening at the Hollywood Bowl or the [Hollywood Forever] Cemetery, I'd try and get as many folks there as possible, but people are all over the place working. Everyone is scheduled and blessed. I'm overjoyed for everyone."

"We were all like buds from the moment we met — we were indistinguishable," she persists. "When we weren't trying to dance, we were going out to eat." We were just constantly hanging out. Even on our days off, he'd call and ask, "What are you doing?" 'I'm going to the mall,' I say. 'I'm coming,' he'd say.

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