'Hairspray Live' taps newcomer Maddie Baillio for Tracy Turnblad role

Cynthia Littleton
Updated
Watch 'Hairspray' star find out she got the role of Tracy Turnblad
Watch 'Hairspray' star find out she got the role of Tracy Turnblad



Producers of NBC's "Hairspray Live" have tapped a 20-year-old actress and singer from Texas for the lead role as Tracy Turnblad in the 1960s-set musical.

Maddie Baillio of League City, Texas, was unveiled as the "Hairspray Live" star Tuesday morning on NBC's "Today." She was chosen from a field of nearly 1,000 actresses who turned out for an open casting call earlier this year. She'll star opposite Harvey Fierstein, who appeared with Baillio on "Today."

"Hairspray Live," the fourth in NBC's holiday live musical franchise, will air Dec. 7. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are exec producers.

"Hairspray" through the years:

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