Show People with Paul Wontorek: Alex Newell of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

Get Tickets to ONCE ON THIS ISLAND: www.broadway.c...
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND standout Alex Newell discusses his divalicious dream roles in HAMILTON, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and DREAMGIRLS, dishes on THE GLEE PROJECT and more.
Here are some of the must-read highlights:
ON SPOTTING ANNA WINTOUR IN THE AUDIENCE
“Anna Wintour was sitting there, and she didn't have her sunglasses on. That's why I didn't recognize her at first because she wasn't framed. But then, midway through the show, I clocked over my left shoulder, and I saw the sunglasses. I said, ‘Oh! Anna Wintour is here!’ She framed halfway through, and I said, ‘I am living for you.’ I was gagged beyond when she showed up.”
ON DIVALICIOUS DREAM ROLES
“I only wanted to play two roles when I was younger: I wanted to play Effie [in DREAMGIRLS], and I wanted to play Asaka. So, I got one down. It’s not a want [to play Effie]. It’s a need. I’m persistent about it. I almost hurt my best friend Amber [Riley]. She was stunning in it. I was so happy for her. But it is a role that I want to play, even if it’s just regionally. I’m here for it. Lin-Manuel Miranda, if you’re listening, I really want to be in HAMILTON for just a solid, six-week limited engagement. I really want [to play] ‘And Peggy.’ Peggy/Maria. I just want to wear a red gown and scream my face off.”
ON THE TIGHTKNIT CAST OF ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
“It's such community. We love each other. All of us went to go see KING KONG last night. We went out after. We have this great bar across the street that we all go to. Like, one night, none of us talked about going. But I showed up, and then three other people showed up. Next thing I know, there's the entire company in front of me. And I'm just like, ‘What is this? We didn't even plan to do this.’ If one link is gone, we have to then fill in for that one link.”
ON CELEBS THAT STILL NEED TO COME SEE ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
“There's so many people that we have gotten to interact with and see and meet and just love up on, and then they love up on us. I really would like Oprah and/or our queen Michelle Obama to show up. And Ellen [DeGeneres].”
ON LEARNING TO STAND OUT
“Just like any kid that is rebellious, I went to Christian school from kindergarten to third grade. Didn't stay there long. Left to go to public school. Didn't stay there long. Then, I went to charter school. I was just such a diva at a young age. Like, I was a diva diva. I think it was being an only child. I was spoiled rotten. If I heard the word no, I would get angry. I was really crazy. I think I found the confidence that I have now when I was on GLEE. But being comfortable with who I was and what I was, I want to say [happened] when I was in the fifth grade. Because I had gone from school to school to school. I was at a Christian school where I was one of one black kids in the entire school. I was always the outcast.”
ON THE GLEE PROJECT
“It was like AMERICAN IDOLl meets AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL. I lost hardcore. When I say I lost hardcore, it was so embarrassing. No one saw this, but we're all on stage. Ryan [Murphy]'s out in the audience. He says, ‘Alex, you're wonderful. You're not the winner of THE GLEE PROJECT.’ Then he goes on to the next person and comes back to me and says, ‘Alex, can you step out of the pool of light, please?’ But then he told me and Lindsay Heather Pearce, who was also one of the runner-ups with me, that we had won two episodes on Glee and a song on the Christmas album, which to me, was otherworldly. I'd never had music released. I'd never sung on something that was going to be heard forever. Those two episodes turned into so many episodes, and those so many episodes turned into me being a series regular. I call myself the J. Hud of GLEE.”

[@lostgirlcosplay14]

I went to high school with Alex, we were in the same graduating class did choir and theatre together, he truly is amazingly talented. I am so proud of his accomplishments cannot wait to see what he does next. BRAVO

[@lostgirlcosplay14]

@@kileycarpenter4530 thats fine, I don't care about being first

[@MikeA15206]

How nice!

[@sunshinejxssie3384]

@@kileycarpenter4530 no one cares

[@sameolelinedudes947]

Loved him in Glee, fanned out over his Asaka. I missed Shuffle Along and vowed never again to miss a show with an African American cast. Waited 6 hours to snag a ticket for the last show JUST FOR HIM. Hearts on hearts on hearts for him. #AlexAsEffie needs to trend like yesterday!

[@spjw2566]

Broadway producers would be too chicken to cast Alex as Effie, even though he'd be fantastic! He might be a bit young, but he'd be a great Mama Morton in Chicago, Raffiki in Lion King, Madame Morrible in Wicked,....lots of possibilities. A smart producer would grab him up when Once ends in January

[@NairAthul]

A few decades before Madame Morrible maybe

[@MABACTS]

I love Alex! This was so inspiring to watch! Mama Will Provide is my favorite OOTI song!!

[@shelbyresz0165]

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR SO LONG AND I’M SO HAPPY

[@dmc8092]

An amazing talent!

[@gabrielleivie5140]

I’ve watched so many random black girl performances here on KZbin and nun of them top Alex Newell’s Alex really showed out (!let me take a selfie 🤳!)if anybody never seen it they should go watch it 🤦🏾‍♀️😍💗😂🔥

[@idoyes1400]

Whos watching october 2019?!!!

[@sxq108]

amazing

[@iamthemightyjeffers]

What he really needs to do is a musical about disco singer Sylvester