Alex Newell Biography: Age, Partner, Net Worth, Glee, Broadway, Songs, Height, Tony Award

Alex Eugene Newell, known professionally as Alex Newell, is an American actor and singer celebrated for their groundbreaking role as Unique Adams on the Fox musical series Glee, as well as their portrayal of Mo on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.

A trailblazer in the entertainment industry, Newell made history as the first openly non-binary actor to win a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for their role as Lulu in Shucked (2023).

Profile

• Full Name: Alex Eugene Newell
• Stage Name: Alex Newell
• Born: 20, August 1992
• Age: 32 years old
• Birthplace: Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, and Singer
• Height: 1.7m
• Parents: Brenda Newell and Mr. Newell
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: None
• Boyfriends: Zeke Thomas (ex)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Alex Eugene Newell was born on August 20, 1992, in Lynn, Massachusetts, to Brenda Newell and her husband, referred to as Mr. Newell, a deacon who passed away from cancer when Alex was six years old.

Raised by their mother as an only child in a single-parent household, Newell found solace in music and performing arts through church and school activities.

They attended Kipp Lynn Academy for four years before graduating from Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, Massachusetts, in 2012, where they participated in the school choir, improv club, and costume club.

Newell, of African-American descent, follows Roman Catholicism but keeps their spiritual life private. They were accepted into Berklee College of Music but chose to pursue their career in Los Angeles instead.

Career

Alex Newell began their career with a standout audition for The Glee Project in 2011, where their self-taped performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” garnered over one million MySpace views, securing them a spot among the top 12 contestants.

As the first runner-up, they earned a two-episode arc on Glee, debuting as Wade “Unique” Adams, a transgender teenager, in the third season’s “Saturday Night Glee-ver” (2012). The character’s popularity led to a recurring role in the fourth season and a main cast position in the fifth, with Newell’s portrayal of Unique becoming one of television’s most visible transgender characters.

Their performance earned a 2012 Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Newell’s career expanded into music and theater with remarkable success. In 2014, they signed with Big Beat Records and released their debut single, a cover of Sigma’s “Nobody to Love,” followed by collaborations with Clean Bandit (“Stronger”) and The Knocks (“Collect My Love”).

Their debut EP, Power (2016), reached the Top Five on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart, with the single “This Ain’t Over” earning praise for its disco-pop flair. Newell’s Broadway debut came in 2017 as Asaka in the revival of Once on This Island, where their performance of “Mama Will Provide” was lauded by critics.

In 2023, they won a Tony Award for their role as Lulu in Shucked, marking a historic milestone for non-binary representation in theater.

Newell continues to shine across television, film, and stage, with recent projects including a guest role on Empire (2019) and a starring role as Mo in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (2020–2021), showcasing their vocal prowess and comedic timing.

In 2024, they voiced a character in the animated musical special Lulu Is a Rhinoceros alongside Auli’i Cravalho. Their 2025 engagements include performing in benefit concerts like Broadway Voices Unite and Broadway Bares: Come Out Come Out, reflecting their commitment to philanthropy, particularly for LGBTQ+ causes.

Newell’s advocacy for inclusivity and their powerful performances have cemented their legacy as a transformative figure in entertainment.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @thealexnewell
• Facebook Handle: Alex Newell
• Twitter Handle: @thealexnewell

Personal Life

Alex Eugene Newell, who identifies as non-binary and uses all pronouns, has been open about their journey as a gender-nonconforming gay individual, notably through their role on The Glee Project.

They were previously in a relationship with Zeke Thomas, a well-known DJ and television personality, though the timeline of their relationship remains undisclosed, and they have since parted ways.

Newell has no children and is currently single, keeping their personal life private while focusing on their career and advocacy.

Filmography

• Geography Club (2013)
• Resident Advisors (2015)
• Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (2020–2021)
• Lulu Is a Rhinoceros (2024)

Discography

• “Nobody to Love” (2014, single)
• Power (2016, EP)
• “Kill the Lights” (2016, single)
• “As I Am” (2019, single)
• “Boy, You Can Keep It” (2020, single)

Net Worth

Alex Eugene Newell has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. Their wealth is primarily derived from their acting roles in Glee and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, as well as their Broadway performances in Once on This Island and Shucked.