Hairspray's Nikki Blonsky Takes Salon Job: Celebrities That Went From Riches To Rags

Hairspray's Nikki Blonsky Takes Salon Job: Celebrities That Went From Riches To Rags

She was a star of a hit movie in her teens but just four short years after finding fame in Hairspray, Nikki Blonsky is a long way from Hollywood.

The 23-year-old star who starred alongside John Travolta in Hairspray has been forced to take up a job as a make-up artist at a New York salon after struggling to find acting jobs.

The actress, who also landed roles in Ugly Betty and US TV series Huge, is now making her clients look like celebrities while she waits for her next big break.

Even though the young actress faced harsh criticism when it surfaced that she has trading in her manuscripts for make-up brushes Blonsky insisted that she was only doing what she had to pay the bills.

She slammed her critics and reassured her fans that she was still chasing her dreams by tweeting: "It's true I'm workin@ Superstar Salon as a makeup artist & more I'm proud 2 b workin & helpin pay bills BUT ill NEVER loose sight of my dreams.

"Just cause I'm part time workin doesn't mean I'm gonna give up on my dreams n don't give up on urs I might book something big soon keep positive," she added.

But Nikki Blonsky is not alone many celebrities have been forced to eat humble pie and find a "day job" after their careers when sideways and they ended up broke.

Here are just a few celebrities who had to either change their lifestyles or lost it all completely...

Photo:ibtimes Nikki Blonsky

Celebrities That Went From Riches To Rags

Nikki Blonsky is now a make-up artist at a New York hair Salon just a few years after being cast as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray

Photo:Reuters

Mike Tyson

Photo:Reuters

6. Kate Gosselin

Overexposed Rating: 57%

Photo:Reuters

Gary Coleman

Photo:Reuters

Willie Nelson

Photo:Reuters MC Hammer may be the most famous celebrity to go broke. The 1990s rap star of "Can't Touch This" and Hammer pants fame reportedly blew $12 million on a mansion, stables for his 19 thoroughbred horses, and a staff of about 200 people, according to Jet magazine. The hip-hop icon, who reportedly made $33 million off a single album, declared bankruptcy in 1996 with $13 million in debt.

Celebrities That Went From Riches To Rags

MC Hammer filed for bankruptcy in 1996 after racking up $13million in debts. His expences include his California mansion that had two pools, cinema, tennis courts and 17-car garage. He also bought a helicopter, several racehorses, and a sound system that required 22 miles of wiring as well as solid gold chains for his four pet Rottweilers.

The rapper now works as a TV presenter and preacher to support his family.

Photo:Reuters Courtney Love is on the verge of eviction from her townhouse in Manhattan's West Village. The Hole singer, who once dated Kurt Cobain, has been renting the building for $27,000 a month for 10 months, according to the New York Post, but now owes $54,000 in back rent. Now magazine reported in 2009 that Love owes $358,798 to American Express and is being sued by her security guards for $61,974.20 she has failed to pay them. She also claimed in 2009 that she had misplaced $30 million.

Celebrities That Went From Riches To Rags

Embattled singer Courtney Love is reportedly broke after racking up thousands in debt. She is said to owe American Express $350K and is on the verge of losing her home.