Ricki Lake recalls tough times of career: 'Really devastated'

Ricki Lake achieved popularity at a young age. But she reveals she became homeless when she failed to get roles afterwards.

Appearing on I Choose Me with Jennie Garth, the Hairspray breakout star recalled, “It was only when my career stopped when I was about 21, 22, and I didn’t get this big part that I wanted,” adding, “I was really devastated.

She continued, “I went from like making all this money to making nothing and had to give up my house. And I was homeless for a short time. I had to move, but it was the most humbling experience that I’m so grateful for.”

During that period, Ricki said she lost between $200,000 and $300,000. But the experience taught her a valuable lesson about wealth.

“But it taught me so much about the value of a dollar,” she noted. “And thankfully, I didn’t have a family to support at that time.”

In another interview, Ricki opened up about her views on Ozempic, where she said, "The doctor was pushing it for people who were overweight."

She continued, "And he was saying you weren't going to be successful without it, is what he said to me, really. And I like a challenge. And I like proving people wrong. And so it ------ me off. I just was reluctant, and I wanted to give it a go on my own."