Photos: Alex Newell performs Chicago Pride Fest
Wed. June 25, 2014 8:07 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
photo credit // ken brown
Although he may just be 21-years-old, Alex Newell is already making waves with his powerhouse vocal skills and groundbreaking presence in pop culture. The openly gay performer first rose to stardom after taking second place on the Oxygen Network's reality TV show The Glee Project. The recognition won Newell a two-episode stint on Fox's comedy series Glee as the character, "Unique," a male-to-female transgender teen, a concept rare for primetime television.
After winning over fans on the show with his big voice, Newell gained additional time on the show. By Glee's fifth season, Unique was promoted to a main character of the ensemble cast, rocking a club-remix of Beyonce's "Diva," which went viral on YouTube.
"It has been great," Newell told ChicagoPride.com. "This all began really with my junior year in high school and what now would be my sophomore year in college. It has been fun every step along the way but it also has been a long journey."
Newell performed at Chicago Pride Fest on Sunday, June 22.
Chicago Pride Fest 2014 photos: Saturday, June 21, Sunday, June 22
2014 Interviews: Alex Newell | Betty Who | Carlito Olivero | Jennifer Hudson
After winning over fans on the show with his big voice, Newell gained additional time on the show. By Glee's fifth season, Unique was promoted to a main character of the ensemble cast, rocking a club-remix of Beyonce's "Diva," which went viral on YouTube.
"It has been great," Newell told ChicagoPride.com. "This all began really with my junior year in high school and what now would be my sophomore year in college. It has been fun every step along the way but it also has been a long journey."
Newell performed at Chicago Pride Fest on Sunday, June 22.
Chicago Pride Fest 2014 photos: Saturday, June 21, Sunday, June 22
2014 Interviews: Alex Newell | Betty Who | Carlito Olivero | Jennifer Hudson