Let me tell you a story about someone who started with a bang in Hollywood but faced some serious ups and downs along the way. Ricki Lake, who became a household name with her breakout role in 1988’s Hairspray, didn’t follow the typical Hollywood success story. Instead of moving into a lavish Beverly Hills mansion, she found herself in a situation that many wouldn’t imagine: homelessness. Yes, you heard that right. The actress and talk show host, now 56, opened up about this unexpected twist in her life.
From Stardom to Struggles: Ricki Lake's Early 90s Career Slump
In the early 1990s, Ricki’s career hit a snag. She didn’t land the big role she had hoped for, and it left her feeling utterly devastated. “I went from making all this money to making nothing,” she recalls. “I had to give up my house, and for a short time, I was homeless. It was the most humbling experience, but I’m so grateful for it because it taught me so much about life and myself.”
Ricki lost a significant amount of money during this period, somewhere between $200,000 and $300,000. But instead of letting it break her, she used it as a lesson. “It taught me so much about the value of a dollar,” she says. “I realized that I couldn’t control everything, but I could control how I took care of myself.”
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Reinventing Herself: Ricki’s Transformation and Career Comeback
Facing rejection in auditions, Ricki decided to take charge of her life. “The novelty of being the fat girl had worn off, and I wasn’t getting cast in anything,” she explains. “I felt like the only thing I could control was my physical appearance and how I took care of myself.”
She embarked on a “crash crazy diet” and lost an impressive 100 pounds. This transformation didn’t just change her outward appearance; it also opened new doors for her career. In 1993, she landed the role of host for her eponymous talk show. The Emmy-nominated series ran for 11 seasons and pulled her out of the financial struggles she had faced. “It was a lifeline,” she says. “It lifted me out of poverty and gave me a new chapter in my life.”
Healthy Living Today: Ricki and Her Husband’s Weight Loss Journey
Fast forward to today, and Ricki is still focused on her health. She and her third husband, Ross Burningham, married in 2022 at her dream home in Malibu, decided to embark on a weight loss journey together. This time, though, they’re doing it the healthy way. They’ve adopted intermittent fasting and exercise, including Pilates, to shed pounds.
Ricki’s story is one of resilience and determination. She’s shown that no matter how low things may get, there’s always a way to rise back up. Her journey from homelessness to hosting a successful talk show is a testament to her strength and the value of perseverance.
