The FBI On Set: 5 Shocking Facts About Traci Lords' Iconic Role As Wanda Woodward In Cry-Baby

Few cinematic transitions are as dramatic and successful as the one made by Traci Lords, and her role in the 1990 cult classic Cry-Baby stands as the definitive moment of her mainstream career pivot. As of December 12, 2025, the film continues to be celebrated as a quintessential John Waters musical-comedy, but the story behind Lords' casting as the iconic rockabilly bad girl, Wanda Woodward, is far more sensational than the movie itself, involving a notorious past and a shocking visit from federal agents on the set.

The film, which starred Johnny Depp as the titular Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker, was a campy, affectionate send-up of 1950s teen delinquency, pitting the 'Drapes' against the 'Squares' in a high-stakes battle for Baltimore's soul. Lords' performance as Wanda—a tough-as-nails, sexually liberated member of Cry-Baby's gang—cemented her status as a legitimate actress and a muse for the "Pope of Trash" himself, John Waters. This article dives deep into her life and the incredible true stories from the making of this beloved film.

Traci Lords: A Detailed Biography and Career Timeline

Traci Lords, born Nora Louise Kuzma on May 7, 1968, in Steubenville, Ohio, is an American actress, singer, producer, writer, and former adult film performer. Her early life was marked by controversy after she gained notoriety in the mid-1980s for appearing in adult films while still a minor, having used a stolen birth certificate to obtain a fake ID.

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This period of her life led to a massive scandal that resulted in the recall and destruction of many films. However, she successfully leveraged her notoriety and talent to transition into a legitimate career in Hollywood, a remarkable feat almost unheard of at the time.

• Full Name: Nora Louise Kuzma
• Stage Name: Traci Elizabeth Lords
• Born: May 7, 1968 (Age 57 as of 2025)
• Hometown: Steubenville, Ohio
• Education: High-school dropout at age 15.
• Career Pivot: Began her mainstream acting career in 1988 with the film Not of This Earth.
• Breakout Role: Wanda Woodward in Cry-Baby (1990).
• Other Notable Film/TV Credits: MacGyver, Married... with Children, Blade, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and the television series Melrose Place.
• Music Career: Developed a career as a singer in the early 1990s, releasing the successful industrial album 1000 Fires.
• Literary Work: Authored the autobiography Underneath It All.
• Current Activities (2025): Lords continues to act and recently headlined the play Women Behind Bars in Los Angeles, a nod to her John Waters connection, and is scheduled for appearances like Carolina Fear Fest in May 2025.

Wanda Woodward: The Iconic Rockabilly Bad Girl

The role of Wanda Woodward was a perfect fit for Lords’ rebellious image and provided the platform for her to showcase her acting chops in a major studio production. Wanda is a member of the Drapes, the greaser-style gang led by Wade Walker, and embodies the film's satirical take on 1950s juvenile delinquents.

Wanda is portrayed as a hyper-sexualized, tough, and fiercely loyal character who is obsessed with the idea of being a "bad girl." She is often seen alongside her fellow Drapes, including Pepper Walker (Ricki Lake) and Milton Hackett (Darren E. Burrows).

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The John Waters Connection

Director John Waters, known as the "Sultan of Sleaze," has a long history of casting controversial figures and outsiders, making Lords an ideal choice for his first full-scale musical. Waters' decision to cast Lords, alongside other non-traditional actors like Iggy Pop, was a deliberate move to inject genuine counter-culture energy into the film.

Lords has often reflected on the profound impact the character had on her, noting that the Wanda Woodward aesthetic—a blend of rockabilly, vintage fashion, and punk attitude—later inspired her own clothing line with Pinup Girl.

The Shocking FBI Incident on the Cry-Baby Set

While the film itself is a lighthearted musical, the behind-the-scenes drama involving Traci Lords was anything but. The most sensational and career-defining moment occurred when Lords was approached by federal agents while filming in Baltimore.

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The FBI Tracked Her Down. Due to the ongoing legal fallout from her prior adult film career, the FBI was actively pursuing a case against her former associates. Because Lords had used a stolen birth certificate to obtain a federal passport and other identification, her involvement was central to the investigation.

In a surreal moment for a Hollywood movie set, FBI agents arrived to serve Traci Lords with a subpoena. This incident, happening during the production of a major motion picture starring a rising teen idol like Johnny Depp, underscored the incredible stakes of Lords' career transition.

From Scandal to Star: A True Hollywood Redemption Story

The FBI incident serves as a powerful symbol of the baggage Lords carried into her new life. *Cry-Baby* was not just a film role; it was her public declaration of moving on. The fact that John Waters stood by her and gave her the platform to redefine herself speaks volumes about his vision and her own resilience.

The film's success as a "cult classic" has ensured that the character of Wanda Woodward remains one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in the John Waters cinematic universe. Her performance is a testament to the power of reinvention, proving that even the most controversial past can be overcome by talent and a little bit of rock and roll attitude. The legacy of *Cry-Baby* is inextricably linked to the audacious career pivot of Traci Lords.