Lesser-Known Facts About Alex Newell

The following article includes brief references to homophobia and transphobia.

Alex Newell has been marching to their own beat their entire life. The trailblazing actor and powerhouse vocalist is best known for their turn as transitioning teen Wade "Unique" Adams on the Fox musical series "Glee." Since then, Newell has established themselves as a truly unique talent, having appeared on the big screen and topped the dance charts with original music.

They made a splash on Broadway, starring in a revival of "Once on This Island" as a character previously played by women, and later nabbed a historic win at the Tonys for their role in "Shucked." In "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist," they enjoyed a second groundbreaking performance as Mo, a genderfluid confidant to Jane Levy's musical empath, for which they received a Critics Choice Award nomination. Although they've received accolades for their performances, it may be Newell's off-screen influence that distinguishes them the most.

Openly and proudly gay, Newell also identifies as gender non-conforming and noted on Twitter in 2021, "All pronouns are accepted and preferred here!" Growing up, they say they never saw people like them in anything they watched. "I don't think for myself — who I am — I've ever been represented on any platform, other than me, because I've kind of made this lane for myself in a way," they explained to Playbill. In that lane, Alex Newell has been breaking down barriers for years. There is much more to this inspiring star than meets the eye, and we've got the scoop.

Alex Newell was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, where they spent much of their childhood in church. "My mom was in the choir, my father was a deacon," they told The Hollywood Reporter in 2020. Their fellow church members felt like family. But when they were older, the church they loved turned its back on them. 

"They did not like a piece of me," they said, but couldn't figure out exactly what was going on. After coming out on "The Glee Project" as a teenager, Newell explained to Entertainment Weekly, "I had a pastor that told my mom that I wasn't right with God and that something was wrong with me." They added, "He was the leader of the parish that my mother still attends, and it rubbed me the wrong way." 

Per Vice, when a newer pastor refused to let Newell sing at his church service, the "Glee" actor wouldn't back down. Newell said, "That's strange, because I'm pretty sure I've sung here since I was a toddler, I was here before you were the pastor, and I'll probably be here after you're the pastor of this church." That pastor eventually left the congregation, and Newell and their family still go to services there. The pastor who succeeded him was more welcoming, even planning a trip for parishioners to see Newell perform on Broadway.

Alex Newell's dad died of cancer when they were six. Their mom worked nights to support them both, and Newell subsequently had to grow up hastily, taking on a lot of household responsibilities to help out. Speaking to Stylecaster, they shared that their mom was supportive when they came out to her at 17. "I screamed it at my mother and she said, 'Go to bed. I just took a Xanax,'" Newell recalled. "The next morning she was like, 'I'm fine. Are you fine?' And I was like, 'I'm great! I love you.'"

As for everyone else in the community, not so much. Newell told Vice in 2018 that they would constantly be taunted by other boys in their neighborhood. Specifically, they suggested that Black boys and men face pressure to adhere to traditional modes of masculinity. "There's this expectation of being a Black man, of being stronger than most; having that rigid, hard back, that almost arrogant feel," they explained. As a result, they'd face questions like, "Why do you talk that way?" "Aren't you Black?" and, "Why is your voice so high? Are you gay?"

As for their gender identity, the actor sees that as more of a private issue. In 2020, they told Gold Derby, "People are always like, 'What are your pronouns, and I'm just like, 'Get to know me first and then we can go to pronouns later."

Throughout their life, Alex Newell has been the proud owner of a plus-size body, telling Vice, "I always had jelly on my hips and a swish in my step." Sadly, their size was just another target for classmates. "I was always a chunkier kid," they said, which made them insecure through middle and high school. "Bullies love to find a weakness and pick at it. Especially when you're the only gay kid at a Catholic school."

Newell never had the right thing to wear and would often feel uncomfortable in their clothes. They noted to Vice that their mom usually dressed them, and that wasn't her strong suit. "I'd look like a miniature version of my 45-year-old uncle," they said. "I was always like, 'Great, I'm in a zoot suit, living my best fashion life."  

Speaking to Stylecaster, Newell revealed that their size had been unfairly judged as an adult, too. In 2015, they were asked to read for the lead role of drag performer Lola in "Kinky Boots." The audition seemed to be going great, but the director didn't cast them. Newell alleged they were told they were too big for the role, explaining, "I was like, 'This is a show where they're encouraging you to be who you want to be. Don't let them tell you who you should be.'" Newell added that no matter what they weigh, there are no constraints on what they can do.

A musical theater buff, Alex Newell always dreamt about being on Broadway. So when they saw the opportunity to try out for "Glee," they jumped at the chance. In 2011, they were one of 34,000 young performers chosen to compete on Season 1 of "The Glee Project" for a gig on the Fox series. Newell told Collider that working on the reality TV show was a grueling regimen. "It was like musical theater, television Bootcamp," they said. "Every day was a new lesson on how to perform in front of a camera and how to sing in a recording studio and how to act. We were working ungodly hours."

Newell won runner-up in the competition, landing a guest starring role. They then became a series regular on "Glee," as Wade "Unique" Adams, one of the first transgender teen characters on TV. However, the "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" star told Flick Direct that while they appreciated the experience, they'd likely never do it again. As an 18-year-old high school student, the demands of the show took their toll on them. As for what they learned on "The Glee Project," that was invaluable. "That show prepared me for everything," they told Collider, adding that it helped them hone their craft. "It really taught me all the lessons that I've used and given me all the tools that I use to this day."

As noted by the Los Angeles Times, "Glee" was ahead of its time in delving into formerly taboo social issues on mainstream television. During their run on the critically acclaimed series, Alex Newell was surprised by the overwhelming number of messages from the LGBTQ+ community about Unique's groundbreaking representation on network TV. "I remember getting so many thank yous from so many kids and their parents, and I remember asking myself 'why are they thanking me?" they told Today. "I've been myself for so long and I've only shown my true self, so it shocked me." They added that they're grateful if any characters they've played might have helped parents build stronger bonds with their children. 

Newell told Gold Derby they're excited to see that more and more TV shows are featuring people they can identify with. Particularly as they didn't see their own experience or perspective represented on television when they were growing up. "It's really refreshing for me to, kind of, 'play myself' but not really at the same time," they explained. "To go into work and be blessed with the fact that someone took the risk to tell my story." Speaking to Flick Direct, Newell pointed out that being a role model isn't something you do intentionally. Rather, it's what you do by just being your true self. "If you can live your life authentically and beautifully ... without thinking that you are a role model," they added. 

When the 2006 "Dreamgirls" movie starring Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson came out, Alex Newell discovered the Broadway musical it was based on. In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, they explained how they identified with the story of three female soul singers struggling to make it in the '60s. The musical helped to make them who they are today. "Effie White rang true to who I am," they said about the "Dreamgirls" character. "You see this beautiful Black woman who was passed over because she was not as thin or as commercial as her friend who she grew up with." 

Newell can relate to that, after being told they were "too big" to star in "Kinky Boots" back in 2015. Additionally, they told the outlet, "I've been cut out of scenes in musicals because I didn't fit the costume plot." All of it was a bitter pill to swallow, but the performer drew strength from the musical. "It's one of those things that I watched in Effie — how you have to jump over the mental hurdle of that and find solace in yourself and the beauty in life," they explained.

In 2013, Newell told Ebony that the character was their dream role. So much so that they'd be willing to fight former "Glee" co-star Amber Riley to the death for it. Hopefully, someday they'll get the chance to belt out the coveted torch song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

In 2012, conservative firebrand Bill O'Reilly took up the subject of Alex Newell's character on "Glee." Per Media Matters, the Fox News commentator alleged that potentially vulnerable children may want to experiment with homosexuality after being exposed to the transgender character. "If you make it glamorous in a program like 'Glee' ... a lot of these dopey kids are confused about who they are," he was reported as claiming.

In an interview with Fusion (via Hypable), Newell called out O'Reilly for his statements. "When it's something this poignant and such a big part of the society, you can't call kids dopey because this is something that they're actually going through, this is what they feel on the inside, there's nothing dopey about it," they said. After the interview, the actor told the Boston Herald they took it all in stride, mentioning that their mom always said you're doing something right if O'Reilly is talking about you.  

The reality, they added, is that every young person will discover, and embody, their own identity eventually — with or without the approval of people like O'Reilly. "They just can't shut it out," they said. "There are people like Wade and Unique, and [they're] being themselves. If kids want to go and do that, that is them expressing who they are."

Having started their career as a teenager themselves, Alex Newell has gone on to help LGBTQ+ youth. Per Metro Weekly, on top of offering their voice at benefit concerts in Los Angeles and elsewhere, they also support The Trevor Project, an organization providing 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ+ young people. "It's an astounding organization helping those in need — one of the best things that anyone can do," they said.

In 2013, Newell had another opportunity to represent the LGBTQ+ community on-screen, per The Advocate. Playing Ike in the film "Geography Club," the actor portrayed a gay youth grappling with his sexual orientation. "Everything Ike goes through I had to go through for a brief moment as well," they said. "Testing the waters of coming out. Understanding your choices and the consequences of coming out," they added, explaining that they drew some of their knowledge about coming out from characters they saw on TV. That included the sitcom "Will & Grace," which helped them to feel comfortable with their sexual identity. 

Of course, a coming-out story for a teen is very different from one for an adult. "I think a film like 'Geography Club' would've been helpful for someone like me and my mother to watch when I was younger," they said. In the meantime, Newell will continue to push for visibility and to inspire people to proudly be themselves.

While they were still on "Glee," Alex Newell signed a deal with Atlantic Records. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the contract allowed them to continue working with Adam Anders, the show's music producer, to cultivate the singer's talent. After collaborating with pop group Clean Bandit on "Stronger," and The Knocks on "Collect My Love," Newell dropped their first solo EP, "POWER," in 2016.

Apparently, EDM fans liked what they heard, and the EP hit No. 4 on Billboard's list of Hot Dance/Electronic Albums. Newell told app. that they took their time recording music for the release, trying to find the right sound that truly represented them. "['Power' is] dance-pop, retro R&B, kind of everything mixed together, and a throwback but current at the same time," they explained. "... It was just time for me to come out with my own music."

The EP features collabs with DJ Cassidy and 13-time Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren and was well received, with James Grebey of Yahoo! Life, writing, "[Newell's] debut EP, 'POWER,' more than surpasses our lofty expectations." That same year, the star joined forces with fellow "Glee" alum Adam Lambert, opening for the "American Idol" finalist on his "The Original High Tour." Speaking to Pridesource ahead of the tour, Newell said they were thrilled to be working with their openly gay pal. "It's gonna be the gayest event of life," they said. "Two gays on the road! How fabulous!"

Alex Newell left the West Coast for the East Coast in their early twenties. As they told The New York Times, they were disillusioned that their future in Tinseltown would revolve around their appearance. In New York, they hoped things would be different, and as it turns out, they were. In 2018, a lifelong dream came true when they were cast in the leading role in the Broadway revival of the Tony-winning musical, "Once on This Island," per Rolling Stone.

Newell played Asaka, Mother of the Earth, one of the gods who run an island called the Jewel of the Antilles. Critics and theatergoers were blown away by the star, who brought the audience to their feet after their powerful solo, "Mama Will Provide." "Newell's gender-bending portrayal has been one of the showstoppers that wow audiences," wrote Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos. Newell told her, "It rarely ever happens that anyone gets a mid-show standing ovation ever on Broadway."

Still, the star struggled with the show's demanding schedule, particularly on top of other challenges like food poisoning and a bout of the flu. But after getting that standing ovation, they added, "It reminds me that there's a reason that I'm doing it." As for those who said the actor couldn't grasp what it's like to be a mother, they told Vice, "'I also don't know what it's like to be a god. No one knows what it's like to be a god — except for maybe Beyoncé."

In 2020, NBC launched a new musical dramedy, "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist," starring Jane Levy and Skyler Astin. When Alex Newell was brought in to play Mo, they told The Hollywood Reporter that producers were originally looking for something different. "Mo originated as a 31-year-old bisexual Black woman. Nothing that I am," they said. "Black, but I'm definitely not 31!" When they couldn't find what they wanted, they tapped Newell. The star added, "The essence of Mo really was me in a way and they modeled the role around me."

Over the course of two seasons, Newell told Playbill they worked closely with the show's creative team to create a layered, authentic character with a storyline many people hadn't seen before. "You never really see a [gender non-conforming] person's dating life ever on television, or you don't see an effeminate or plus-size person have a love interest on television," they said.

In 2021, Newell was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for best supporting actor in a comedy for their role on "Zoey." They told The New York Times that they were beyond honored for the recognition, stating, "I felt like a toddler seeing Christmas for the very first time." Growing up, they never saw a performer who looked and sounded like them, until they discovered "Pose" star and Tony winner Billy Porter. Now they could be that person for someone else. Newell told Playbill, "It's nice ... knowing that someone could see themselves in me."

As evidenced by their sartorially jubilant Instagram profile, Alex Newell really enjoys dressing up. Speaking to Fashionista, the "Glee" star confessed to having sacrificed their guest room for the good of their clothes, explaining, "It's a full-fledged Carrie Bradshaw closet." While one side is for everyday apparel, the other is dedicated to their gowns. All of them represent memories of landmark moments in their career, like their first performance at the Tonys or when they took the stage at Carnegie Hall. "They're my keepsakes," they said. "To me, it's just like someone keeping their wedding gown."

Rocking an eclectic style, Newell stated that their various looks nonetheless all reflect their identity, telling the outlet, "Fashion is just an expression of who you are." An avid TV viewer, they find some inspiration from their favorite shows, such as how fashion defined Blake Lively and Leighton Meester's characters on "Gossip Girl." For Newell, shopping is often challenging, especially in retail stores. They told InStyle, "Sometimes they just literally say, 'Oh well you're plus size, here's a muumuu."

That's why they relished working with "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" costume designer Heidi Higginbotham to create Mo's diverse looks on the show. Newell said the pair took cues from the script and had fun with it. "If it calls for Mo to be the building super and be doing work around the building, it's more, 'Let's find a fun way of showing how Mo would express being the super.'" 

In April 2023, Alex Newell returned to Broadway in "Shucked," the corny musical comedy that quickly popped to the top of the list of the hottest tickets in town. The New York Times raved that Newell "stops the show" as Lulu, a sexy, single entrepreneur. Audiences showered the star with standing ovations for their powerhouse performance of "Independently Owned," a bluesy bluegrass anthem celebrating strong women, which Newell also performed on NBC's "The Voice." Two months later, Newell made history, becoming the first of two openly nonbinary actors to receive a Tony Award the same night.

"I have wanted this my entire life," Newell told the roaring crowd, already on their feet (via the Daily Mail). "Thank you for seeing me, Broadway. I should not be up here as a queer, nonbinary, fat, Black little baby from Massachusetts. And to anyone that thinks that they can't do it, I'm going to look you dead in your face that you can do anything you put your mind to." Newell mouthed the words, "Thank you," as they exited the stage, visibly overcome with emotion.

Following Newell's win in the featured actor category, J. Harrison Ghee picked up the best actor in a musical trophy for their performance in "Some Like It Hot." In an interview with Broadway World, Newell revealed they were drawn to the character of "Shucked's" Lulu, a 30-something unattached woman, because they're both forging their paths in life on their own. "So it's been learning to be okay with that," Newell noted.