Alex Newell is best known for playing Wade “Unique” Adams on Fox’s recently concluded Glee. He stole hearts playing the transgendered teen after earning a spot on the show by finishing as a runner-up on The Glee Project. Today, the 22-year-old singer and actor is getting ready for one of April’s biggest Palm Springs events: White Party Weekend. Newell will join performers including LeAnn Rimes, Natalie La Rose and others at the White Party’s Sunday Circus T-Dance, which runs from 3 to 10 p.m., Sunday. April 26; White Party weekend runs fom Friday, April 24, through Sunday, April 26. Tickets to the T-Dance are $140; weekend passes start at $390. Visit www.jeffreysanker.com for tickets and information. Newell was kind enough to recently answer The Lucky 13; here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
Beyonce. #endallbeall
What was the first album you owned?
Mariah Carey, Charmbracelet.
What bands are you listening to right now?
I don’t really listen to bands! But I do listen to Clean Bandit, Blonde, and The Knocks, being that I’m on their songs!
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Rap with no substance—songs about shooting and killing with no thoughts.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
BEYONCE.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Musical theater. I’m always listening to it.
What’s your favorite music venue?
BROADWAY! There’s nothing better!
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Bitch Better Have My Money,” Rihanna.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Beyonce, just by being Beyonce.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
“What’s it like being the leader of the free world, Beyonce?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
I haven’t thought that far in advance! Ha ha.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
The Color Purple soundtrack. JUST AMAZING!
What song should everyone listen to right now?
All of mine! “Stronger” (Clean Bandit), “All Cried Out” (Blonde), “Collect My Love” (The Knocks), “Show Me Love” (Alex Newell and Matvey Emerson) or “Nobody to Love” (Alex Newell). (Scroll down to hear “Nobody to Love.”)
