ALEX NEWELL ON POWER AND CHALLENGING GENDER NORMS

ALEX NEWELL ON POWER AND CHALLENGING GENDER NORMS

Alex Newell released his first EP, “Power,” just a month ago. After playing a trans girl on season 3 of the TV hit series, Glee, Newell has found a place for himself in the music world. He is currently on tour with Adam Lambert, who he has great things to say about. Additionally, Newell is challenging gender norms, even outside of his role on Glee.

Alex Newell has powerhouse vocals in his new album. The album has a very 80s inspired vibe, it vaugely sounds like Madonna and RuPaul had a love child back in the early 90s and now he’s 23 and ready to take on the music world. It’s easy to dance and party to. It feels good; it feels strong. Newell, “wanted people to feel empowered,” by this album, and I would say that it worked.

The first two singles from this album are This Ain’t Over and Basically Over You. The former of the two already has a new music video out. It’s simple, but sweet. Just a dark background and glow in the dark make-up singing to you like a stylish EDM ghost. Alex-Newell-Main-Pub-Photo-2-Brian-Ziff-HR

Newell is currently on tour with Adam Lambert. He has very positive things to say about the tour. “It’s nice going on tour with someone you actually respect… someone who is so talented, so kind, knows their self-worth, knows their truth, and has the same beliefs as you do,” he says, while sassily adding, “And we both can sing. Adam can sing his face off and it’s amazing.” He clearly has a deep respect for Lambert and it seems as if they have both been enjoying each other’s company while on tour. Newell also agrees that the two of them are outspoken about their beliefs and willing to stand up for those beliefs. One might assume that some of those beliefs he mentions are about gender and sexuality.

His brazen attitude towards gender is amazing and revolutionary. He always felt confined by gender norms, but decided to resist those and instead, “[come] up with new androg look for myself rather than going with the normative that I’m always supposed to go with.” While this is in itself incredibly inspirational for anyone that is going through some gender identity issues, it’s not all that he has to say for the LGBT+ youth out there: “Life [your] truth and keep trying because it does get better. People don’t see you for your sexual orientation, they see you for your talent and your gift.”

Wise words from a wise person.

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