21-year-old Alex Newell has already conquered the world of TV, thanks to his
recurring role as transgender student Wade “Unique” Adams on Glee. He won the role as a result of competing on The Glee Project in 2011, while he was still in high school. Newell’s initial reward was a two-episode story arc but he is about to begin his fourth season. The self-proclaimed diva has now set his eyes on the music world. His first single,
a cover of “Nobody to Love,” just became available and Newell is currently putting the finishing touches on his first album. He will likely be introducing some of the tracks during his Main Stage performance at the San Diego Pride Music Festival the afternoon of Sunday, July 20. I recently had a delightful phone chat with this truly unique and gifted multi-hyphenate.
by chris carpenter
How’s it going? What are you up to? Hey! She’s just shopping in New York today, wak-
ing it up and having fun. We are very excited to have you back at San Diego Pride! How was your first experience here in 2012? It was so much fun! I love coming to San Diego
and just having a good time. The first time I went, I was with my mom and two agents. We had a blast. What will you be singing? Can you give us a sneak peek? I have no idea. I never know what I’m going to do
until I’m there. When I spoke at San Diego Pride two years ago as a Grand Marshal, I didn’t know what I was going to say until just beforehand. I believe in living in the moment and going with the spirit. You recently released your first single, congrats! When is the album coming out? I don’t know yet. We’re still recording everything.
It’s a lot of work but going great. I’m really excited about it. Glee is heading into its last season. Is Unique still a part of it? Do you know what’s going to become of him/her? You want to know, we want to know! (Laughs)
The actors are waiting to hear. As soon as we know, you’ll know…at least what we’re allowed to talk about. How has the Glee experience been for you all in all? It’s been amazing. I was still in high school when I
entered the Glee world and everything just took off. It’s been so fast-paced but I’ve loved every minute of it. I read you attended a Catholic high school. What was that like as a gay teenager? It was perfectly fine. I’m every bit of a diva so
nobody really bothered me. When I came out I was a force of nature, so they didn’t dare get in my way. (Laughs) Plus, they respected me as a singer, which I had been doing since I was a kid and then I was on The Glee Project. The former principal is so sweet to me still, Sister Cathy. She’s a nun. (Laughs) This is a more philosophical question, but what does pride mean to you? Being prideful of who you are; what you did to-
day or this week or month that has made you who you are. And as a community, being proud of how far we have come. Looking ahead 20 or 30 years, where do you hope to be? Married with at least three kids, being a stay-
at-home daddy and working only for fun. I’d love to have four albums out, six Tonys, four Grammys and three Oscars and be happy. I’m very family- oriented. I love cooking, cleaning and shopping. I’d be happy taking care of my husband and kids. Thirty years from now? Wow, I’ll be 50! (Laughs) Who is your ideal man? Rich. (Laughs) No, someone who is understand-
ing of my past and my emotions. As an actor, you have to dig into your past and your emotions a lot. Losing my dad—he died when I was 6-years- old—was hard. In a way, I’m still getting over it. Whoever I share my life with has to be understand- ing of that. They have to accept everything I have been through and everything that I am. Wow, I’m sure you will find someone special. Thanks so much for your time, Alex. We can’t wait to see you at San Diego Pride! Thank you! It’s going to be a blast!
“Whoever I share my life with has to be understanding of that. They have to accept everything I have been through and everything that I am.”
PARTY TIME! The Rage Monthly is proud to serve as a spon-
sor of several festive soirees both before and throughout Pride weekend:
GSDBA Pride Kick-Off Mixer San Diego’s Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce invites members and non-members alike to this gathering on Thursday, July 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Gossip Grill. Enjoy special Pride cocktails, an extended happy hour, signature food items and networking opportunities. For more information go to
gsdba.org.
Summer SPLASH: Pre-Pride Pool Party Let’s get soaking wet at this pre-Pride event from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 18 at the Lafayette Hotel. Discounted advance tickets may be purchased at Obelisk Mercantile or by entering keyword “Splash” online at
eventbrite.com.
Launch A kick-off party for a excellent cause (the Rob Benzon Foundation) takes place again at the historic Burn- ham House in Hillcrest on Friday, July 18 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets include a hosted bar, unique chef’s creations, silent auction and a guaranteed good time. Tickets are sure to sell out, so get ‘em while you can at
robbenzon.org.
Bill Hardt Presents No less than four raging parties: The Pride Ball on Friday night, Circuit Daze on Saturday night and both the Zoo Party and Fete Accompli to close the celebrations on Sunday. Whew! Full details and tick- ets can be found at
billhardtpresents.com.
Overdrive This epic, 12-hour event at Spin nightclub runs from 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 right through to 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 20. Overdrive features DJs Nina Flowers (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and Tristan Jaxx, a laser show and sunrise mimosas! Tickets can be purchased by entering “Overdrive Pride” at
eventbrite.com.
JULY 2014 | RAGE monthly 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96