The term 'Hairspray Heroine' refers to two characters from the 1988 musical film Hairspray. The first is Edna Turnblad, a plus-sized housewife played by Divine, and Tracy Turnblad, her teenage daughter played by Ricki Lake. Edna is a loving and supportive mother who encourages Tracy to follow her dreams of becoming a dancer on a local TV show. Tracy eventually succeeds in her goal, and together with her friends, she works to end racial segregation in Baltimore.