A TELEVISION star from the 90s looks unrecognizable while going unnoticed by fans in London.

This lady is best known for her starring role as Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film Hairspray.

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Can you guess who this gray-haired lady is?Credit: rickilake / instagram

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She hosted a talk show in the 90sCredit: Instagram/rickilake

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She sadly lost her home in the devastating LA wildfiresCredit: Instagram / @rickilake
Not only this, but she hosted a famous talk show from 1993 until 2004.

You’ve guessed it, it’s Ricki Lake.

Posing up a storm while in London, Ricki looked totally different from her talk show hosting days.

Known for donning brunette hair when hosting her chat show, Ricki now has gray hair and looked very different.

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The Ricki Lake Show was big in the 90sCredit: Alamy

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She played the role of Tracy Turnblad in HairsprayCredit: Alamy

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Ricki’s talk show ran until the mid 00sCredit: Alamy
Ricki, 56, has been exploring Europe on a fun-filled trip around the continent, which comes after a devastating loss.

The mother-of-two lost her home in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year.

“I can’t feel anything. I can only describe what we’re experiencing,” she said of losing her home in the shocking blaze.

She also said at the time: “My home in Malibu was a sanctuary, a hub for so many friends and loved ones.

“Too many gatherings to count. Endless areas on the property to hang, dance and play,” she wrote in the caption.

“It is exhausting and paralyzing right now to try and wrap my head around how I will do it all again….. but I will.”

Ricki Lake reveals ‘awesome’ 35-pound weight loss and feels ‘proud’ after ‘challenge’ of not using drugs to reach goal

As she recovers from the awful loss of her home, Ricki has taken some time out for a “healing tour” with her husband Ross Burningham.

Exploring cities like London and Rome, Ricki has been keeping her fans updated.

“Just a quick note from London as I wait to take a flight back to the states,” she penned alongside a chic selfie where she looked very different.

“12 days in Europe for our belated honeymoon/healing tour. It’s been wonderful and hard,” she went on.

Most destructive California wildfires

California has been home to dozens of devastating wildfires, including four currently burning in January 2025 that have left over 1,000 structures ruined. Here are the five most destructive wildfires in state history:

1. Camp Fire – Butte County, 2018

Destroying more than 18,000 structures, the Camp Fire is widely known as the most destructive in California state history. Over 153,000 acres were burned and 86 people died.

2. Tubbs Fire – Napa County and Sonoma County, 2017

This October 2017 fire burned more than 5,600 structures and left 36,807 acres charred. Twenty-two people died.

3. Tunnel Fire – Alameda County, 1991

Another October blaze, the Tunnel Fire, destroyed 2,900 structures and burned 1,600 acres in 1991. Twenty-five people died.

4. Cedar Fire – San Diego County, 2003

Nearly 2,900 structures were ruined and a staggering 273,246 acres were burned in this blaze that killed 15 people.

5. Valley Fire – Lake, Napa, & Sonoma Counties, 2015

Four people died in this September 2015 blaze that destroyed nearly 2,000 structures and left 76,067 acres charred.

Source: KABC

“Both extremes.

“Equal amount of laughter and tears.”

Ricki went on: “I always used to fantasize about being nomadic, I envied those burners with no permanent address.

“I now know, living out of a suitcase is not for me. Grateful for the perspective and excited to set down some roots in NYC.”

In her caption, she seemingly revealed that she would be moving to New York City after losing her home in LA amid the wildfires.

Many fans commented on Ricki’s post, with one writing: “Ah Ricki so glad you enjoyed your European break & got some clarity & perspective on your future.

“New York is an amazing, exciting, uplifting city to live in.”

A second then said: “Hoping you felt a huge hug from the UK whilst you were here.”

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Ricki has been enjoying some downtime with her husband Ross BurninghamCredit: Instagram / @rickilake

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Ricki and Ross have been on vacation in EuropeCredit: Instagram / @rickilake