Travolta Happy To Be Groped On Movie Set

Actor Says He Modeled His "Hairspray" Character After Voluptuous Screen Sirens

(CBS)  John Travolta wore his padding proudly as 300-pound mom Edna Turnblad in the new movie musical "Hairspray."

"I'm a voluptuous gal," he said on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" Wednesday night. "I based it on these gals I liked growing up, you know like Jayne Mansfield and Anita Ekberg and Sofia Loren."

"I like those big figures," he continued, making the shape of an hour glass with his hands. "I thought if I have to play a woman, I wanna play one like that — but with 300 pounds added."

An amused Letterman asked Travolta how other cast members reacted to him on the set.

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Photos: New York's Mane Event: "Hairspray" Premiere

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"They forgot it was me under there, Dave, for God's sake. They were feeling my breasts and my ass and I was a slut about it. I gave it up."

The audience applauded that comment.

"I did! I didn't care, Dave," he said.

"What about your self esteem?" Letterman asked, laughing.

"Screw it," laughed Travolta.

"You just wanted to be popular," Letterman observed.

"Hairspray" opens on Friday.

[ildee]

What I appreciate about John Travolta when he is being interviewed is that he cooperates with the interviewer and gives of himself (within limits of course).

He plays along with them and doesn't sit there making their job more difficult.

He seems to come across as a easy-going, likable guy who doesn't take himself too seriously. He seems to be happy with his life and career. He may be abit of a ham but so what?!

Kinda nice for a change...considering so many that you see interviewed seem to be totally self-absorbed and uninteresting.

[jacksteen1]

"Mindless, zombie-like scientologist mirror-gazer reveals self-abuse syndrome as he admits to admiring large, fleshy cross-gendered stars and enjoyment in portraying them...enjoying groping from strangers and whispering *** innuendoes while getting sexual release.

Details at Six."

[likeitis5050]

Sounds like a good enough reason to remake it to me. It's going to be redone many times before it's all said and done, so getting the knickers in a bunch this early is a waste of energy. It's a movie. Enjoy it or or don't. Your choice.

[ralan40]

can someone please tell me why someone felt the need to remake Hairspray? It took place in the past so there would be no need to modernize the story. Sounds to me like this is just a "John Travolta in Drag" vehicle and nothing else.