e-Talk Daily
January 28, 2008
Monday 28 January 2008 on CTV

Ben is at the SAG Awards, the first red carpet of the season; stars at the SAG Awards remember Heath Ledger; a private memorial was held for Heath Ledger on Saturday night; Canadian Idol auditions kick off in Edmonton, and we have the highs and the lows.

Nikki's first Lifetime movie is Queen Sized. (edit) Nikki has joked that when her parents used to mention the importance of college to her, Nikki would say that she wanted to attend the University of Hairspray. This was, of course, before she landed the role in the movie, and playing Tracy was her lifelong dream. (edit) Her astrological sign is Scorpio. (edit) Nikki says that her very favorite performance in the film Hairspray belonged to Allison Janney, who played Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes)'s wacky, over-the-top-religious mother. "She is so talented," says Nikki. (edit) Many of Nikki's Hairspray co-stars, including Zac Efron and John Travolta, have raved that although Nikki had absolutely no Hollywood experience before landing her role in the movie, she had a remarkable amount of poise and courage in the limelight. "This is a girl who's been waiting her entire life for this," Efron said, and Travolta once joked that it was almost as if Nikki was stepping back into Hollywood after being a famous star in a previous life--that was how hard it was to believe that she was brand-new to the business. (edit)

Nikki: (about fame) I feel like I'm kind of watching myself do it from across the street. It's a very surreal experience, but it's wonderful. I'm just honored that I'm getting to make movies and that I'm a working actress--that's all that is important to me. The fame is fun, but at the end of the day the fact that I'm working and supporting myself and hopefully my family someday, that's all that matters to me. (edit) Nikki: I don't easily give out these numbers, but I can tell you that I'm not a size 0, I'm not a size 6, and I'm not even a size 10. As for being typecast, that can only happen if you allow yourself to be. The reality is, if I can speak out for [plus-size women] and be part of their community, then I'm proud of it. It doesn't matter what role I play, as long as it means something to me, and as long as I feel it can mean something to the audience. (edit) Nikki: (about seeing "Hairspray" on Broadway) It was the first time I really connected on a whole other level with another person. I thought: “That’s me! She understands me.” And I knew that I wanted to play her. Can I just tell you, I was so happy to get this part that I would have done anything they asked. I would have bathed in the cockroaches; it wouldn't have mattered! (edit) Nikki: I can't even begin to tell you the feeling of playing a character who is so close to my heart. I mean, I feel like Tracy Turnblad is one of my best friends! It was just an amazing experience. (edit) Nikki: (about Brittany Snow, who played the snotty Amber von Tussel in "Hairspray") It's so funny, because we played absolute arch enemies in the film, but off camera, Brit and I were two of the closest. We still are. She is the most kindhearted girl. (edit)

Guest Star
Canada AM July 9, 2007 Self	e-Talk Daily July 9, 2007 Self
e-Talk Daily July 10, 2007 Self	e-Talk Daily January 28, 2008 Herself
e-Talk Daily April 26, 2007 Herself	e-Talk Daily January 8, 2008 Herself