Hairspray

1962, Baltimore. Tracy Turnblad, an overweight sixteen-year-old, and her shy best friend Penny are obsessed with The Corny Collins Show, a live teen dance program on WYZT. The vibrant world of television fame fuels Tracy's dream of joining the cast.

An upcoming nine-month leave from The Corny Collins Show prompts auditions at the WYZT studio. Tracy decides to skip class to try out, certain she belongs on television. Velma von Tussle, Amber's mother and the show's manager, rejects her for her size and for supporting integration.

Tracy is detained for cutting class and discovers the Negro Day dancers practicing in the detention room. She befriends Seaweed, Maybelle Stubbs's son, and learns about the movement and its people. On her way out, she also glimpses Link Larkin, planting the seeds of a connection.

During a record hop, Tracy's dance moves—taught by Seaweed—catch Corny Collins's eye. He selects her to join the Corny Collins Show cast, giving her a chance at stardom. Her rise threatens Amber's position on the show and begins to reshape the social dynamics at WYZT.

Tracy becomes one of the show's most popular performers, challenging Amber for the Miss Teenage Hairspray crown. Link grows fonder of Tracy as her on-screen presence draws bigger audiences. The competition heats up, tightening the already fierce dynamic behind the scenes.

Tracy is invited to be the spokesgirl for a plus-size fashion boutique, and she convinces her agoraphobic mother Edna to accompany her as her agent. They both receive makeovers that boost Edna's confidence and change their relationship. The new partnership fuels Tracy's public ascent and Edna's personal growth.

Tracy introduces Seaweed to Penny, and the two quickly fall for each other. Later, Seaweed and his sister Little Inez take Tracy, Penny, and Link to a party at Maybelle's store. Amber anonymously calls Edna and reveals Tracy's whereabouts, heightening the tension around the group.

Velma cancels Negro Day, shocking Tracy and her friends. Maybelle encourages pride and collective action in response. Tracy commits to joining the movement beyond individual performances and the pageant circuit.

The next morning, Tracy sneaks out to join a protest, only to encounter a police roadblock. A brawl erupts as protesters clash with officers, and Tracy flees to the Pingletons' home where Penny hides her in a fallout shelter. Penny's mother Prudy reports Tracy to the police, tying Penny to her bed for harboring a fugitive.

Having been bailed out by Wilbur, Seaweed and his friends help Tracy and Penny escape. Link visits Tracy's house to find her, realizing that he loves her, and Seaweed and Penny acknowledge their love during the escape. The alliance strengthens their resolve to reach the pageant.

On the day of the pageant, Velma rigs the tallies to ensure Amber's victory and guards the studio to keep Tracy out. Tracy infiltrates the studio with help from Wilbur, Seaweed, and the Negro Day youths, determined to seize back her chance to perform. Link even helps by pulling Inez onto the stage, shifting the competition.

Inez wins the pageant after a late surge of support, symbolizing true integration of the program. Edna uses a camera to film Velma revealing her rigging to Amber, leading to Velma's dismissal. The set erupts in celebration as Tracy and Link seal their love with a kiss.