--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hairspray is the only really devious…" description: "\"“Hairspray is the only really devious movie I ever made. The musical based on it is now being performed in practically every high school in America—and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/john-waters-751_high-school_hairspray-is-the-only-really-devious-mov_1254413.jpg" --- # Hairspray is the only really devious movie I ever made… ![“Hairspray is the only really devious movie I ever made. The musical based on it is now being performed in practically every high school in America—and nobody seems to notice it’s a show with two men singing a love song to each other that also encourages white teen girls to date black guys. Pink…” quote by John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/john-waters-751_high-school_hairspray-is-the-only-really-devious-mov_1254413.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/john-waters-751_high-school_hairspray-is-the-only-really-devious-mov_1254413.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/john-waters-751_high-school_hairspray-is-the-only-really-devious-mov_1254413.jpg) > ““Hairspray is the only really devious movie I ever made. The musical based on it is now being performed in practically every high school in America—and nobody seems to notice it’s a show with two men singing a love song to each other that also encourages white teen girls to date black guys. Pink Flamingos was preaching to the converted. But Hairspray is a Trojan horse: it snuck into Middle America and never got caught. You can do the same thing.”” [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hairspray subtly subverts social norms, using mainstream appeal to promote racial integration and queer representation, acting as a covert catalyst for change. **In simple terms:** Hairspray hides progressive messages in a fun movie. Key Takeaway Use popular media to challenge biases. Themes social change media influence subversion race LGBTQ+ culture Mood playful provocative Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - school productions - family films - advertising - political messaging - community outreach Key Concepts trojan horse cultural diffusion entertainment activism Questions to Reflect On - How can entertainment reshape attitudes? - What other media hide progressive ideas? A Different Perspective Audience may miss deeper meanings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Love song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-song/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Trojan horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trojan-horse/) ## Related quotes > [When I booked 'Hairspray,' I really didn't have a support system other than my family and friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naturi-naughton/when-i-booked-hairspray-i-really-didn-t-have-a-support-system-other/) [Naturi Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naturi-naughton/) > [When I first saw 'House on Haunted Hill' as a kid in Baltimore, and the skeleton went out on the wire, and the thousand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/when-i-first-saw-house-on-haunted-hill-as-a-kid-in-baltimore-and-the/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [ \[My catholic education\] sticked with me. It caused the rage I had to make 'Pink Flamingos.' ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/my-catholic-education-sticked-with-me-it-caused-the-rage-i-had-to/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [There's a stranger in my bed, there's a pounding in my bed, glitter all around the room pink flamingos in the pool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-perry/there-s-a-stranger-in-my-bed-there-s-a-pounding-in-my-bed-glitter-all/) [Katy Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-perry/) > [“It had pale golden sands and clear cloudless blue skies. Rich quantities of palm trees and exotic flowers in dramatic red and fuchsia pink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annette-j-dunlea/it-had-pale-golden-sands-and-clear-cloudless-blue-skies-rich/) [Annette J Dunlea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annette-j-dunlea/) > [I remember John Waters's 'Pink Flamingos,' that was the film where I realized you could do anything you want - there were no boundaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-levinson/i-remember-john-waters-s-pink-flamingos-that-was-the-film-where-i/) [Sam Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-levinson/) > [There's a stranger in my bed, there's a pounding in my head, glitter all around the room, pink flamingos in the room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-perry/there-s-a-stranger-in-my-bed-there-s-a-pounding-in-my-head-glitter/) [Katy Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-perry/) > [Typically, middle-class educated parents' search for their children's schools takes on the feel, if not of teen girls trying on different outfits, of adolescents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-tsing-loh/typically-middle-class-educated-parents-search-for-their-children-s/) [Sandra Tsing Loh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-tsing-loh/) > [My words of encouragement for teen girls suffering with eating disorders, self-harm, anything... is to get help. It's the most important thing you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/my-words-of-encouragement-for-teen-girls-suffering-with-eating/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [I can have a song with Ariana Grande that is going to be the song for all the kids and the teen girls, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-miller/i-can-have-a-song-with-ariana-grande-that-is-going-to-be-the-song-for/) [Mac Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-miller/) > [I feel really honored to be part of The #seetherealme campaign. It's really amazing, as it helps many teen girls who are struggling. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazz-jennings/i-feel-really-honored-to-be-part-of-the-seetherealme-campaign-it-s/) [Jazz Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazz-jennings/) > [Teen girls are figuring out what they want out of life and who they want to be. They are becoming more and more independent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atoosa-rubenstein/teen-girls-are-figuring-out-what-they-want-out-of-life-and-who-they/) Atoosa Rubenstein > [“No surgery in the world was going to offer him the particular history that went along with growing up female. No procedure was going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bohjalian/no-surgery-in-the-world-was-going-to-offer-him-the-particular-history/) [Chris Bohjalian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bohjalian/) > [There are infinite numbers of do overs for your teen girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/there-are-infinite-numbers-of-do-overs-for-your-teen-girls/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I take mentoring very seriously and I am on the board of an organization called Girls Write Now, where we match teen girls and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tayari-jones/i-take-mentoring-very-seriously-and-i-am-on-the-board-of-an/) [Tayari Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tayari-jones/) ## More by John Waters > [There was a cultural war going on, the '60s was going on. All the film critics were square.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/there-was-a-cultural-war-going-on-the-60s-was-going-on-all-the-film/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I'm here today because of LSD. LSD gave me the confidence to be who I am today. Completely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-m-here-today-because-of-lsd-lsd-gave-me-the-confidence-to-be-who-i/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [When I was young, there were bars called the 'Hungry Hole,' and in those same neighbourhoods are now gay people pushing baby carriages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/when-i-was-young-there-were-bars-called-the-hungry-hole-and-in-those/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [True success is figuring out your life and career so you never have to be around jerks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/true-success-is-figuring-out-your-life-and-career-so-you-never-have/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Around '62 in Baltimore, all the girls had those big hairdos. And then suddenly, a few of the really hip ones started doing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/around-62-in-baltimore-all-the-girls-had-those-big-hairdos-and-then/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [“John!?” I ask in shock. This woman recognizes me? It can’t be! “How do you know my name?” I wonder out loud. Suddenly she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/john-i-ask-in-shock-this-woman-recognizes-me-it-can-t-be-how-do-you/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > ['Serial Mom' tested really well when we finally got with the right audience. But they would go to some shopping mall in a deep,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/serial-mom-tested-really-well-when-we-finally-got-with-the-right/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [One Christmas, Dennis Dermody, the movie critic of 'Paper,' gave me 'Rock Hudson: A Gathering of Friends,' the master invitation list from Rock Hudson's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/one-christmas-dennis-dermody-the-movie-critic-of-paper-gave-me-rock/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Many hundred-million-dollar Hollywood comedies aren't any good. They're trying to shock you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/many-hundred-million-dollar-hollywood-comedies-aren-t-any-good-they/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [The Easter Bunny is a major reason for heroin addiction in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/the-easter-bunny-is-a-major-reason-for-heroin-addiction-in-america/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [To use bad taste, you have to know the rules of good taste. I've always thanked my mother for that. She taught how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/to-use-bad-taste-you-have-to-know-the-rules-of-good-taste-i-ve-always/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I'm an old person because I still buy DVDs. I have every one of my albums and 45s - I even have a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-m-an-old-person-because-i-still-buy-dvds-i-have-every-one-of-my/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I do like Christmas. I do understand that there are people who hate it, and there are other religions that resent it. So, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-do-like-christmas-i-do-understand-that-there-are-people-who-hate-it/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I love to read about anger. A "feel bad" book always makes me feel good. And no other novel in the history of literature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-love-to-read-about-anger-a-feel-bad-book-always-makes-me-feel-good/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [ Maybe I'll just write books. I'd like to make another movie, but I don't want to go back and \[do\] what they want you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/maybe-i-ll-just-write-books-i-d-like-to-make-another-movie-but-i-don/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) [Explore all 381 John Waters quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## More Devious quotes > [“You’ve been playing me. That’s brilliantly devious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-wright/you-ve-been-playing-me-that-s-brilliantly-devious/) [Suzanne Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-wright/) > [Audiences always love the baddies. Especially these ones that are so witty and charming and outrageously devious - everything you're not supposed to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/birgitte-hjort-s-rensen/audiences-always-love-the-baddies-especially-these-ones-that-are-so/) Birgitte Hjort Sørensen > [“Devious, filthy girl. You like being watched, don't you?" - Bennett Ryan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-lauren/devious-filthy-girl-you-like-being-watched-don-t-you-bennett-ryan/) [Christina Lauren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-lauren/) > [Luke Jermay is as devious as he's clever, and he's a Master at complication - with this take on TTTCBE he might just fool…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-giobbi/luke-jermay-is-as-devious-as-he-s-clever-and-he-s-a-master-at/) [Roberto Giobbi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-giobbi/) > [Wolves and women are relational by nature, inquiring, possessed of great endurance and strength. They are deeply intuitive, intensely concerned with their young, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarissa-pinkola-estes/wolves-and-women-are-relational-by-nature-inquiring-possessed-of/) [Clarissa Pinkola Estes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarissa-pinkola-estes/) > [Within 18 months of my parents' marriage in 1900, my mother fell in love with an Englishman who would have described himself as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mellon/within-18-months-of-my-parents-marriage-in-1900-my-mother-fell-in/) [Paul Mellon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mellon/) > [Lies can be verbal or nonverbal, kindhearted or self-serving, devious or bald-faced; they can be lies of omission or lies of commission; they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-marantz-henig/lies-can-be-verbal-or-nonverbal-kindhearted-or-self-serving-devious/) [Robin Marantz Henig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-marantz-henig/) > [But I can tell you I myself have made many mistakes. Things sometimes I would be ashamed to admit. But if it weren't for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirtha-michelle/but-i-can-tell-you-i-myself-have-made-many-mistakes-things-sometimes/) [Mirtha Michelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirtha-michelle/) > [The issues which today confront the nation are clearly defined and so fundamental as to directly involve the very survival of the Republic. Are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-macarthur/the-issues-which-today-confront-the-nation-are-clearly-defined-and-so/) [Douglas MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-macarthur/) > [“Whatever sacrifices I made for you are none of your business. All you gotta do is grow and be happy. Then I'll have everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devious-maids-zoila/whatever-sacrifices-i-made-for-you-are-none-of-your-business-all-you/) Devious Maids Zoila > [The next time you are contemplating a decision in which you are debating whether or not to go for the gusto, ask yourself this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-groening/the-next-time-you-are-contemplating-a-decision-in-which-you-are/) [Matt Groening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-groening/) > [Are you a devious, plotting, unreliable madman? Ah, good, then you can be my most trusted advisor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/are-you-a-devious-plotting-unreliable-madman-ah-good-then-you-can-be/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [You've read newspaper stories about elderly widows who die and leave their entire estates to their pet cats, right? Well, your cat reads those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/you-ve-read-newspaper-stories-about-elderly-widows-who-die-and-leave/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Nothing ever guarantees you anything-that's my rule. My other rule is never believe anything that anyone tells you, and then you'll never be fooled.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hyde-pierce/nothing-ever-guarantees-you-anything-that-s-my-rule-my-other-rule-is/) [David Hyde Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hyde-pierce/) > [I'm buying things for people I don't even know. I'm like Willy Wonka, but more manipulative. Imagine if Willy Wonka had a devious goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-brand/i-m-buying-things-for-people-i-don-t-even-know-i-m-like-willy-wonka/) [Russell Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-brand/) Browse all 63 Devious quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Hairspray is the only really devious movie I ever made. The musical based on it is now being performed in practically every high school in America—and nobody seems to notice it’s a show with two men singing a love song to each other that also encourages white teen girls to date black guys. Pink Flamingos was preaching to the converted. But Hairspray is a Trojan horse: it snuck into Middle America and never got caught. 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