Lake named 'Charm School' headmistress

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. actress and television personality Ricki Lake has signed on as the new headmistress for the third season of "Charm School," VH1 said Thursday.

The reality television show will feature the women from "Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels" and "Real Chance of Love" learning self-improvement through selfless acts, the cable television network said in a release.

"Charm School 3 with Ricki Lake" is set to premiere this summer.

"We are thrilled to have Ricki spearheading this new take on 'Charm School.' Our audience knows her, loves her and respects her. And Ricki certainly knows a thing or two about taking big, loud characters and bringing them to a place of new emotional understanding," Jeff Olde, executive vice president of original programming and production for VH1, said in a statement. "The transformation of the women on the show is always an interesting journey to watch, and the new twist on this season should bring the entire experience to a whole new level."

Lake began her career as an actress in the original John Waters' film "Hairspray," as well as Waters' other movies "Cry-Baby" and "Serial Mom."

She also served as host of the long-running talk show, "Ricki Lake" and recently took on the role of executive producer for the documentary "The Business of Being Born."