Tracy Turnblad is a high school student in Baltimore who loves to dance. She dreams of becoming a regular on The Corny Collins Show, a popular dance show on local TV. Despite being mocked for her size and teased by her classmates, Tracy is determined to audition for the show.
Once she gets her chance to perform, she wows the judges and wins a coveted spot on the show. Tracy quickly becomes a fan favorite, but her newfound fame comes with some unexpected challenges. The show's producer, Velma Von Tussle, is determined to keep the program racially segregated, with white teenagers dancing on one day and black teenagers dancing on another. Tracy, who is an advocate for integration and equal rights, sets out to change this.
With the help of her friends, including African American dancer Seaweed J. Stubbs and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, Tracy stages a protest and demands that the show be integrated. She also falls in love with heartthrob Link Larkin, much to the chagrin of Velma's daughter, Amber, who is also vying for Link's attention.
As tensions rise and the fight for integration heats up, Tracy remains determined to be a force for change. With her infectious spirit and tenacity, she inspires others to take action and challenge the status quo. In the end, her efforts pay off, and The Corny Collins Show becomes a symbol of progress and unity.