Actress Ricki Lake, known for her breakthrough role in "Hairspray," faced homelessness and financial turmoil after the end of her early success. However, she used these experiences to learn valuable life lessons, including the importance of resilience, self-reliance, and financial responsibility. Lake's subsequent talk show and recent weight loss transformation serve as testaments to her indomitable spirit and determination.
Ricki Lake's rise to fame in the 1980s was meteoric, thanks to her captivating performance in the musical comedy "Hairspray." However, behind the glamour and adoration, Lake's financial situation took a drastic turn when her career stalled in her early twenties.
Ricki Lake's Journey from Homelessness to Hollywood Success
"I was really devastated," Lake recalled in an interview on the "I Choose Me with Jennie Garth" podcast. "I went from like making all this money to making nothing and had to give up my house."
Destitute and alone, Lake found herself homeless for a brief period. "It was the most humbling experience that I'm so grateful for," she said. "It taught me so much about the value of a dollar."
Ricki Lake's Journey from Homelessness to Hollywood Success
During this challenging time, Lake also embarked on a crash diet, shedding an astonishing 100 pounds. "One of the reasons I wasn't getting parts anymore – wasn't getting cast in anything – was because the novelty of being the fat girl had kind of worn off," Lake explained.
Just when Lake's fortunes seemed at their lowest, her eponymous talk show came calling. The show became a ratings success, lifting Lake out of poverty and reigniting her passion for entertainment.
Ricki Lake's Journey from Homelessness to Hollywood Success
In recent years, Lake has undergone another remarkable transformation, this time focusing on her overall health and well-being. Despite being pressured by doctors to use prescription weight loss drugs, Lake opted for a more holistic approach.
"The doctor was pushing it for people who were overweight," Lake recalled in an interview with "Good Morning America." "And he was saying you weren't going to be successful without it, is what he said to me, really. And I like a challenge. And I like proving people wrong."
Inspired by her husband, Ross Burningham, Lake adopted a ketogenic diet and incorporated Pilates into her fitness routine. "This is a lifestyle change," Lake explained. "I've made this my job, and it's become my joy. Like, I just… I love it. I think it's safe to say I'm in the best shape of my life."
Ricki Lake's journey is a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience. From homelessness to Hollywood success and beyond, she has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those facing adversity.
