“Alex Newell Makes History as the First Nonbinary Performer to Win a Tony Award”

Alex Newell: The First Non-Binary Performer to Win a Tony Award

The 2023 Tony Awards held recently were marked with immense hype and excitement, owing to the historic win of Alex Newell, a former “Glee” star, who took home the Tony Award as the best-featured actor in a musical.

Breaking Gender Barriers

Newell, who identifies as non-binary and gender-fluid, played the character of a whiskey distiller in “Shucked” and delivered a remarkable performance that left the audience in awe. The victory was historic because Newell became the first non-binary person to win the Tony Award for performance.

Overcoming Social Stigma

During the acceptance speech, Newell cited the social stigma they’ve had to face in their career as a “queer, non-binary, fat, Black little baby” from Massachusetts. Nevertheless, they remained undeterred and credited the success to the crew, cast, and the entire Broadway community that supported them.

Demolishing Gender Categories

Newell’s historic win sparked a deeper conversation about gender categories in the entertainment industry. In an interview with the New York Times, they stated, “The word ‘actor’ is my vocation, and genderless. We don’t say plumbess for plumber. We don’t say janitoress for janitor. We say plumber, we say janitor. That’s how I look at the word, and that’s how I chose my category.”

Past Non-Binary Tony Award Winners

Newell is not, however, the first non-binary person to win a Tony Award. In 2005, Sara Ramirez won the best-featured actress in a musical category for “Spamalot,” while Karen Olivo, also known as K O, won the 2009 Tony Award for a revival of “West Side Story.”

Conclusion

The Tony Awards have been the center of the performing arts world since their inception in 1947. Newell’s win is an indication of the entertainment industry’s shift towards inclusivity and diversity. As such, it shows that the entertainment industry is moving towards a better and more inclusive future, where skin color, race, and gender will not limit one’s talent and ability to thrive and succeed.