The Hollywood writers strike has no doubt put a damper on this year's awards season, but despite the cancellation of some ceremonies, the whole experience of being recognized by different organizations has still been a hair-raising experience for Nikki Blonsky.

In an @ The Movies interview Saturday, the "Hairspray" star and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy nominee for a Golden Globe Award feels like a winner already, awards ceremony or not.

"I'm still enjoying everything. I just look back and I say, 'A year and a-half ago I was scooping ice cream as a normal everyday kid,'" Blonsky said. "'Now I'm still that kid, just without the ice cream and doing what I really wanted to do.' There's nothing greater in life than saying that you're doing what you want to do with your life. To come this far and to be playing wonderful characters like Tracy Turnblad can change a life -- it's changed my life."

As for her chances at a Globe, Blonsky, 19, said she'll be just as excited whether she wins or loses.

"With the Golden Globes, I've watched them every year on TV, and am still just in shock that I'm nominated and to be in such company as other nominees like George Clooney and Cate Blanchett -- people that I really respect," Blonsky said. "Whoever wins, wins. Either way it's been such of a wonderful year for me just being nominated."

Blonsky, who has already won a Broadcast Film Critics Association Critics' Choice Award for Best Young Actress for "Hairspray," still has much more to look forward to. The New York native and her fellow "Hairspray" cast mates are up for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Acting Ensemble.

And could the Oscars also be in the offing?

Blonsky's latest project, the Lifetime television film "Queen Sized," debuts Saturday night on the cable network.