Character Relationship Map: Hairspray

Characters

• Tracy Turnblad (played by Nikki Blonsky) — protagonist

  Overweight Baltimore teen who dreams of dancing on TV and fights for racial integration.

• Wilbur Turnblad (played by Christopher Walken) — supporting

  Tracy's cheerful, slightly overweight father who runs a local shop.

• Penny Pingleton (played by Amanda Bynes) — supporting

  Tracy's shy, bespectacled best friend who finds love with Seaweed.

• Corny Collins (played by James Marsden) — supporting

  Charming host of the local teen dance show The Corny Collins Show.

• Amber Von Tussle (played by Brittany Snow) — supporting

  Mean, conventionally attractive high school rival and Velma's daughter.

• Little Inez (played by Tayla Parx) — minor

  Maybelle's young daughter who dreams of dancing and joins the integration march.

• Link Larkin (played by Zac Efron) — supporting

  Popular teen idol and Amber's boyfriend who falls for Tracy.

Key Relationships

• Wilbur Turnblad → Corny Collins (related)
• Penny Pingleton → Corny Collins (related)
• Link Larkin → Corny Collins (related)
• Amber Von Tussle → Wilbur Turnblad (related)
• Amber Von Tussle → Penny Pingleton (related)
• Amber Von Tussle → Link Larkin (related)
• Wilbur Turnblad → Tracy Turnblad (child)
• Penny Pingleton → Tracy Turnblad (related)
• Link Larkin → Tracy Turnblad (related)
• Corny Collins → Amber Von Tussle (Professional Host And Lead Dancer)
• Penny Pingleton → Amber Von Tussle (Conflict School Rival)
• Tracy Turnblad → Little Inez (Alliance Integration Ally)
• Tracy Turnblad → Amber Von Tussle (Conflict Rival)
• Tracy Turnblad → Corny Collins (Professional Host And Aspiring Performer)
• Tracy Turnblad → Penny Pingleton (Social Best Friends)

Story Analysis

A teen dancer overcomes social barriers to integrate a television program through music, dance, and activism.

Plot Progression

1. Dreams on Airwaves
2. Breaking Barriers
3. March for Change
4. Crown of Integration