Ricki Lake Rewears Her Original Hairspray Dress for First Time Since Filming 1988 Movie: 'I Love It'

Welcome back, Tracy Turnblad!

Ricki Lake, who portrayed the iconic character in the original version of Hairspray in 1988, donned the black-and-white patterned dress and classic big hair she wore in the film for The View's musical-themed Halloween episode on Friday.

Lake, 53, told the hosts that the dress had been inside a bag "for 34 years."

"This is my original dress that I model, and wear it in the Hefty Hideaway [scene]," Lake confessed.

Lake said the last time she wore the dress was while filming the original movie.

RELATED: The Viewsical! See the Co-Hosts Pay Homage to Classic Musicals for Halloween

"It's the one piece that I was able to keep and I had it in a bag and I've moved many times," the actress explained. "When you guys called, I was like, 'I have my original dress! I have not pulled it out of the bag.' And so, I love it."

Host Joy Behar asked, "Did they let you keep the wig?"

"The wig was my hair! That was all my hair!" Lake chuckled, adding that it "was never the same" after filming. "I'm grateful, I did what I had to do for this part!"

Taking on the role, Lake added, "changed my entire life."

RELATED: Today Show Hosts Tackle an NFL Theme for Halloween 2021 — Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and More!

"It opened every door for me," she said. "[Director] John Waters also mentored me in a way where I think I stayed really humble and grounded through these years."

Hairspray has been redone multiple times on Broadway and on the big screen since Lake's original performance more than three decades ago. Watching her character be played by another actress, she said, took some getting used to.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"It was weird seeing these iterations — the musical and someone else playing the role," the actress said. "But I'm honored. She's such a quintessential role model for the underdog and it was just so near and dear to my heart. And I'm just so happy that generations have loved this iconic show."

In 2002, Hairspray was turned into a Broadway musical. Marissa Jaret Winokur earned a Tony Award for her performance as Turnblad.

Nikki Blonsky took on the role for the 2007 film and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance. Maddie Baillio was cast as Turnblad for the 2016 live television adaptation of the show called Hairspray Live!, which aired on NBC.