Alex Newell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alex Newell
Newell in 2023
Born	Alex Eugene Newell (1992-08-20) August 20, 1992 (age 32) Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation	Actor singer
Years active	2011–present
Musical career
Genres	R&B pop soul house disco
Labels	Big Beat Records
Associated acts	Clean Bandit Blonde the Knocks Digital Farm Animals Nile Rodgers DJ Cassidy Jess Glynne

Alex Eugene Newell (born August 20, 1992) is an American actor and singer. They are famous for playing Unique Adams on the TV show Glee and Mo on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. Alex also starred on Broadway in Once on This Island and won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for their role in Shucked in 2023.

Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee made history as the first openly non-binary actors to be nominated for and win a Tony Award. Being non-binary means someone does not identify as only a man or only a woman. Alex also identifies as gay. As a singer, Alex has released songs with artists like Clean Bandit and Blonde.

Early Life and School Days

Alex Newell was born on August 20, 1992, in Lynn, Massachusetts. Their father passed away when Alex was six years old. After that, their mother raised them as a single parent.

Alex went to Bishop Fenwick High School. They graduated in 2012. While in high school, Alex was active in the school choir, the improv club, and the costume club. They also sang in their church choir and later helped lead the youth choir. Alex never had formal singing lessons before getting their role on Glee. They have said that singers like Donna Summer and Beyoncé inspired them.

Alex Newell's Amazing Career

Starting with Glee (2011–2014)

In 2011, Alex Newell sent an audition video for The Glee Project. This TV show looked for new talent to join the popular series Glee. Alex's video got over a million views online! They became one of 12 people chosen to compete on the show. Even though Alex was the runner-up, the producers were so impressed that they invited them to be on Glee.

Alex first appeared on Glee in the third season. They played Wade "Unique" Adams, a character who was a transgender teenager. Unique was shy as Wade but became bold and brave through music. This character was important because Unique was one of the first visible transgender characters on a major TV show. Alex's performance was praised for being "bold" and having "powerful vocals."

Some people, like TV host Bill O'Reilly, talked about the character. Alex responded by saying, "My mother said, 'If Bill O'Reilly said something about you, you are doing something right.'" Alex explained that their character helped show people that it's okay to be yourself. Alex was asked to join the Glee cast for the fourth season. They became a main cast member in the fifth season because their character was so popular. In the final season, Alex performed a powerful song called "I Know Where I've Been" with a choir of 200 transgender performers.

Music Career and First Album (2014–2016)

Alex Newell has sung at many big music events, including the Coachella Festival. They have also performed at many events for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) communities and pride festivals.

In 2013, Alex announced they had signed with Big Beat Records. They planned to release their first album. Their first song, a cover of "Nobody to Love", came out in 2014.

In 2015, Alex worked with other artists. They sang on Clean Bandit's song "Stronger" and with the British duo Blonde on "All Cried Out". They also worked with the Knocks on a song called "Collect My Love."

In 2016, Alex released their own song, "This Ain't Over." Critics loved it, calling it "vibrant dance-pop" and praising Alex's "unassailable voice." This song was part of their first collection of songs, called an extended play (EP), titled Power. The Power EP was released in February 2016. After the EP, Alex released another song, "Kill the Lights," with DJ Cassidy and Nile Rodgers.

Broadway, TV Shows, and Tony Award Win (2016–Present)

In 2017, Alex Newell made their debut on Broadway, which is the highest level of theater in New York City. They played the role of Asaka in the musical Once on This Island.

In 2019, Alex was cast in the TV show Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. They played Mo, a genderfluid DJ. Being genderfluid means someone's gender identity can change over time. Alex played Mo for two seasons and in a special holiday movie called Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas.

In 2023, Alex starred in the musical comedy Shucked on Broadway. They played the character Lulu. In June 2023, Alex won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for this role. This was a very special moment because Alex and fellow actor J. Harrison Ghee became the first openly non-binary actors to win a Tony Award.

In 2024, Alex performed their first solo concert in London, UK.

Other Work and Awards

Alex Newell has also appeared in other TV shows and films. They played a role in the NBC comedy pilot Imaginary Friend. Alex also contributed music to the HBO TV series Vinyl.

Alex is very dedicated to helping other LGBT young people. They often perform at benefit concerts for organizations like The Trevor Project and the Human Rights Campaign. These groups support and advocate for LGBTQ+ youth.

In 2015, Alex received a special recognition award at the GLAAD Media Awards as part of the cast of Glee.

Personal Life

Alex Newell identifies as gender nonconforming. This means they don't follow traditional ideas of how men or women should look or act. In 2020, Alex shared that they relate to their character Mo in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, who is genderfluid. Alex has also stated that they use all pronouns (like he/him, she/her, or they/them). Alex also identifies as gay.

Music Alex Newell Has Released

Alex Newell has released one EP (a collection of songs shorter than an album) and many singles. They have also appeared on several soundtrack albums for TV shows and musicals.

EPs

• Power (Released in 2016 by Atlantic Records)

Singles

Alex has released songs as the main artist and has also been featured on songs by other artists. Some of their popular singles include "Nobody to Love," "This Ain't Over," and "Kill the Lights." They have also been featured on songs like "Stronger" by Clean Bandit and "All Cried Out" by Blonde.

Soundtrack Appearances

Alex's voice can be heard on the soundtracks for Glee, Once On This Island, Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas, and Shucked.

Alex Newell on Screen and Stage

Film and Television Roles

Theater Roles

Awards and Nominations Alex Newell Has Received

Images for kids

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  Alex Newell in 2023

See also

In Spanish: Alex Newell para niños