Ricki Lake Reflects on Past Homelessness

Ricki Lake, the actress and talk show host, revealed that despite her early success with 'Hairspray' at age 18, she became homeless in her early 20s after failing to secure a desired role, resulting in a loss of $200,000 to $300,000. Lake described the experience as devastating yet humbling, stating it taught her the value of money and that she was grateful not to have family obligations during that time. After struggling in the industry due to changing perceptions of her weight, she undertook a significant weight loss journey, shedding 100 pounds through a 'crash crazy diet.' This transformation eventually led her to a successful talk show career, lifting her out of poverty. Recently, Lake also rejected a doctor's recommendation to use Ozempic for weight loss, opting instead to prove she could succeed on her own. She expressed feeling her best in life currently, embracing new personal and professional opportunities.