Hairspray Live Has Found It’s Tracy

Maddie Baillio is a 20-year-old college sophomore from Texas and now her dreams come true as she is slated to play Tracy Turnblad in NBC’s Hairspray Live! Baillio saw the stage musical’s 2007 film adaptation when she was in elementary school and has wanted to play the role ever since. By playing Tracy, “I want to be an inspiration to girls just like me. I want them to know: Don’t let anybody stop you from following your dreams. Don’t let anybody tell you you’re something that you’re not. Go for your dreams, and if you work hard enough, you can achieve them.”

Hairspray‘s “start rehearsals begin in October with Harvey Fierstein as  Edna Turnblad, Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad, Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle and Derek Hough TV host Corny Collins.

Hairspray Live! airs December 7th.