Alex Newell did not have a husband by his side when becoming the first out non-binary person to win a Tony award for performance – but the whole industry celebrated him. Alex Newell's DJ ex-partner was once his plus-one at industry events.
As a teen Alex Newell, who uses all pronouns, was the runner-up in "The Glee Project," which earned him a spot on "Glee" as Unique Adams, a transgender high schooler.
His lived experience as a queer person has informed his roles in "Glee" and "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist." In the actor's love life, he's as assertive as the strong characters he has portrayed on screen and stage.
Alex Newell attends The 76th Annual Tony Awards at United Palace Theater, on June 11, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
His Church Was Not Accepting of Alex Newell's Sexuality – but His Mother Always Stood with Him
The Tony winner, for his performance in "Shucked," had an understanding of who he was from a young age – the rest of the world needed to catch up.
Newell introduced himself to the world on the reality show "The Glee Project" wearing a sandwich board embossed simply with 'gay.'
The then-teenager returned from his experience on national television to a different reality in the church, where he experienced so much love and support for his talent all his life.
Feeling unwelcome, the actor stopped attending services but has found his way back with a new pastor at the helm of his home church that "adores" him. This experience was beautifully played out in an episode of "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist."
The actor was turned onto "Glee" by a former boyfriend.
The morning after he came out to his mother, she told him, "I'm going to love you regardless. You're my only child, and whatever life decisions you make, no matter who you are, I can't change that. I still love you."
Alex Newell Does Not Ask for Too Much from a Partner
Newell has posted a manifesto of sorts of what he wants in a man. The star has found that many men find him "too much" with "too much attitude."
The Barbra Streisand fanatic declared in a January 13, 2022, Instagram post that accompanied a video compilation of him being fabulous:
"So when I find a man that isn't and has his own personal attitude, I find that not only sexually attractive but personally attractive! CONFIDENCE is hot!!!"
Actor Alex Newell and Zeke Thomas attend 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Hilton Midtown, on May 6, 2017, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Alex Newell's Public Dating History Is Short – but Colorful
The actor was turned onto "Glee" by a former boyfriend in his school days before he was booked on the show between 2012 and 2015, first as a guest star and then upgraded to a series regular.
Newell does not look to be dating anyone at present but used to be in a relationship with celebrity DJ Zeke Thomas. He shared a silly video of his boyfriend getting down to a Teyana Taylor cut in September 2016.
Alex Newell (R) and Zeke Thomas attends 2016 Logo's Trailblazer Honors at Cathedral of St. John the Divine, on June 23, 2016, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
For a few months between 2016 and 2017, Newell and Thomas, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, dominated the red carpets of New York City in brightly colored suits at the GLAAD Media Awards, and they shared a kiss at Logo's Trailblazer Honors.
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