Actor and singer
Television audiences, music fans, and organizations seeking representation driven storytelling and vocal excellence
Alex Newell is an American actor and singer best known for his breakout role as Wade “Unique” Adams on Fox’s musical comedy drama Glee. His performance as Unique, a transgender teen who expresses identity through music, earned widespread acclaim for its vocal power, emotional depth, and cultural impact.
Newell first rose to national attention as a runner up on Oxygen’s The Glee Project, where he competed for a role on Glee after auditioning via YouTube while still in high school. His talent and screen presence led to a recurring role in season three, a featured return in season four, and promotion to the main cast in season five.
Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Alex was raised by his mother after losing his father at a young age. He developed his love for performance through school choirs, improv, and church music, later choosing professional opportunity over formal music college when invited to relocate to Los Angeles for Glee.
Beyond television, Alex Newell is recognized for his extraordinary vocal range and his role in advancing visibility and inclusion within the entertainment industry. Openly gay, he continues to be celebrated for performances that blend artistry, authenticity, and emotional resonance.
Alex Newell is an American actor and singer. He is best known for his recurring role as Wade “Unique” Adams on Fox’s musical comedy-drama Glee, and as being a first season runner-up on Oxygen’s The Glee Project.
Newell was born in Lynn, Massachusetts. His father died of cancer when he was six years old, at which point his mother raised him as a single parent. After four years of education in the first class of Kipp Lynn Academy, he moved on to and graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School in 2012, where he was involved in his school’s choir, improv club, and costume club; he was also a member of his church choir.
Newell was accepted into the Berkley College of Music for fall 2012, but he decided instead to move to Los Angeles to be on Glee when he was asked to rejoin the cast for the show’s fourth season. He is “out” as a gay man, as revealed on The Glee Project.
Alex Newell auditioned for the reality television show The Glee Project via YouTube while he was still in high school, and was selected as one of the twelve contestants competing for a seven-episode arc on the show Glee. He appeared in every episode, including the finale, and although he was not named a winner, he was a runner-up alongside Lindsay Pearce. Both Newell and Pearce won two-episode arcs on Glee.
For his Glee Project prize, Newell was cast in the role of Wade “Unique” Adams, a male-to-female transgender teenager who expresses her female identity through music. He first appeared on Glee in the third season episode “Saturday Night Glee-ver.”
Alex Newell as Unique returned as a Glee recurring cast member in the fourth season premiere, “The New Rachel.” He, along with the rest of the cast, received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series nomination in 2012, but lost to Modern Family. For the fifth season, Newell was promoted to main cast.
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
No reviews available for this post.
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
Elatia Abate is an entrepreneur with a mission to revolutionize leadership to empower humanity in the Age of AI. Named a Forbes leading female futurist, she is a globally recognized expert on the futures of work and strategy and currently serves as Futurist in Residence for Paylocity. Her Future-Led Leadership learning and development content has […]
Lorne Sulcas, widely recognized as “The Big Cat Guy,” is a leading figure in motivational and wildlife speaking. His compelling presentations captivate audiences around the globe, blending his profound knowledge of big cats with inspiring messages about leadership, resilience, and conservation. Lorne’s ability to communicate complex ideas through engaging storytelling makes him a highly sought-after […]
Angelica Malin Speaker is a dynamic and versatile professional emcee, author, awards host, and keynote speaker who bridges the bustling cities of New York and London. Known for her boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, Angelica transforms live events into unforgettable experiences, leaving a lasting impression on audiences worldwide. Her charisma and professionalism have made her […]
Confidence Staveley is Africa’s most celebrated female Cybersecurity Leader, Talent Developer, Blockchain Security Professional, Global Speaker and Inclusion advocate. She has achieved numerous professional certifications and industry recognitions for her outstanding work. Confidence is an official member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. Winner of the […]
Dr. Rebecca Heiss is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, author, and expert in evolutionary biology who brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to leadership, communication, and workplace culture. With a background in research and a passion for making science accessible and applicable to everyone, Dr. Heiss is on a mission to empower organizations to thrive […]
Jenn Lim is the bestselling author of Beyond Happiness, and the CEO of Delivering Happiness [DH], a company she and Tony Hsieh [the late CEO of Zappos.com] cofounded to create happier company cultures for a more profitable and sustainable approach to business. Delivering Happiness started as a book (New York Times and WSJ Bestseller, which sold one million copies worldwide) and […]
Felicia Pizzonia is a dynamic entrepreneur, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker renowned for her expertise in mind conditioning and sales training. As a partner at Ultimate Publishing House (UPH), she has dedicated over two decades to helping individuals harness the power of publishing to enhance their personal branding and professional credibility. With a passion for […]
From Why Coach of the San Francisco 49ers to leadership and sales speaker, bestselling author, and Chief Purpose Advisor, discover Paul Epstein path to become the most trusted voice on leading battle-tested teams and building purposeful culture through The Power of Playing Offense. Paul Epstein has been in the sports industry since his career began, […]
No results available
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2026. Designed using Voxel