Ricki Icki

Ricki Lake is a multi-faceted media personality with a career spanning over three decades. Known for her breakout role as Tracy Turnblad in John Waters' *Hairspray* (1988), she transitioned to hosting her eponymous daytime talk show (1993-2004), becoming the youngest syndicated talk show host at 24. She later revived the format briefly in 2012, earning a Daytime Emmy Award. Lake has expanded into producing documentaries like *The Business of Being Born* (2008), advocating for natural childbirth and mental health awareness. Her personal journey includes public discussions about weight loss (losing 125 lbs), marital challenges, and surviving the 2025 Palisades Fire. She combines entertainment with advocacy, often addressing trauma, family dynamics, and societal stigmas through her work.