Taking Risks? No Problem for 'GLEE's' Alex Newell

Being on a Reality TV competition show continues to be the wave of the future even though the future path it may lay for its contestants uncertain. Twenty-year old actor Alex Newell has been able to parlay his runner-up finish on the first season of Oxygen's "The GLEE Project" into a regular role on "GLEE" the series.

And, what a "unique" role it is. Newell's character on "GLEE," Wade Unique Adams, is a transgender male-to-female high schooler -- a role tailored for the rising actor. After discovering the role was in fact a transgendered character, Newell was neither shocked nor appalled. But, Alex did find the thought of him being tailor fit to play a trans character one of the craziest, funniest, and outlandish things ever.

After on a brief appearance (three episodes) in his first season on "GLEE," Newell has taken 'Unique' to a spotlight role. Where this will lead Alex into the future will be anyone's guess, but not for him. Admitting that playing a trans role is a risk, Newell is taking his opportunity to concentrate on the other aspects of his character.

Not that the inclusion of 'Unique' was without controversy: FOX News' Bill O'Reillly expressed concern of the influence the role may encourage children to experiment with alternative lifestyles. Still his complaints went nowhere as fans embraced 'Unique' as a welcome addition to "GLEE's" cast, largely due to powerhouse vocals that rival that of co-star Lea Michelle.

I had an opportunity to speak with Alex prior to his upcoming performance in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 24th to talk about how landing the "GLEE" role halted college plans, why confronting Bill O'Reilly is of no concern, how he sees the affect of his TV role on children, why he thinks he may never play a straight character, and what the premise of his first movie role is.

College or television?

BeBe: One thing of interest to me about you is the reasons surrounding your decision to not pursue a higher education program after being accepted to the prestigious, Boston-based Berklee College of Music before going to Los Angeles to be on 'The GLEE Project' reality show competition. Though we now know the outcome, that had to be a difficult decision to make.

Alex Newell: That (acceptance to Berklee) was after the fact. I had already won the runner-up on 'The GLEE Project' while a junior in high school. I turned down the opportunity to go to continue Berklee College of Music after that. That's what happened. I applied to Berklee because I always like to have a backup plan in case everything doesn't go as planned. After doing 2 or 3 episodes on 'GLEE' as part of being runner-up on 'The GLEE Project,' I applied to college in my senior year and went through the motions and everything. After being accepted to Berklee, I got the opportunity to come and join the cast of 'GLEE' for the next season. That's what happened.

BeBe: And was that difficult decision?

Alex Newell: No, it wasn't difficult. They ('GLEE') wanted me on the next season of the show. Of course I said yes! That's my livelihood. That's what helped me (decide). Rather than pay college tuition, I'd rather make a living.

Research for role?

BeBe: On 'GLEE,' your character is a male to female transgender teenager, Wade 'Unique' Adams. Did you have to do any particular research or preparation for that particular role?

Alex Newell: The only special preparation that I've had (at that time) was kind of a week to think about all that. The research that I've done now, this season, is talking to other trans in the community. On 'The GLEE Project' is one of my close friends, and I've talked to him a little bit about it. He's always willing to answer question if I have any. I've read a lot on the subject. I do a lot of reading.

BeBe: And of course, we know when you first appeared on 'GLEE,' the first episode that you did, there was that infamous Bill O'Reilly comment about your 'character potentially being an encouragement to kids to experiment,' as he puts it, 'with an alternative lifestyle.' Have you had an opportunity to respond to Bill O'Reilly directly? Or, do you even wish to do so?

Alex Newell: I think he's gotten it (my response) already. I've said it, almost everyone has asked me about his comment. I haven't talked to him personally, but I think he understands that nothing I do is going to change what kids do already. Because little kids, boys and girls, they play dress up, they play house, they play doctor. They're playing things they wish they could do, or just for fun purposes. And if I enhance their "experimenting," and I don't think they're experimenting but having fun, I think it will ultimately understand what it means. And if they feel like they are that comfortable to play dress up and come to terms with 'I'm not in the right body,' then that just means I helped them become themselves even more.

Playing straight characters

BeBe: I've interviewed straight actors that play gay characters if they had any concern whether or not playing gay would typecast them for future projects. With you playing a transgendered character, do you have any concerns about future typecasting?

Alex Newell: It's a risk that I have to take, but I think people will see more than that (the trans character). Because when you think about it, my (acting) type is I play a gay character, no matter what, that's my type.

But in that gay character type, I can play the flamboyant person, the nerdy kid, or the transgender kid. I think it just adds more layers to the character I do. I don't think I will be boxed in. People say 'you'd never play a straight character,' and you know, sometimes I don't think I would play a straight character because that's not what I stand for. But it's not because I feel I'm above playing a straight character, it's just I'd feel like I'd be uncomfortable playing that character. And, it would come across that way as well. You have to be able to relate to what you're doing when you're an actor. If you can't relate, there's no use of you playing that role.

More on ’GLEE’

BeBe: Speaking of other roles, you just finished wrapping up a movie, 'Geography Club.'

Alex Newell: Yes, I finished last summer (2012). It was a really fun movie. It's just about how gay teens in high school are coming to terms with who they are as people and understanding relationships with others.

BeBe: Though we have enjoyed what we have seen, we have see very little of you in your role on 'GLEE,' and want to see more of you.

Alex Newell: I love it.

BeBe: I think this movie project is going to be one of those instances that will provide that, rather quickly, after only being on glee for a short amount of time. It's really great to see things are coming along, probably as you want it to.

After being on GLEE for a short period of time, we are already getting the chance to see more of you with 'Geography Club.' It's really great to see things are coming along, and quickly.

Alex Newell: Yes, I love that.

BeBe: I know you have several appearances and performances planned during the gay Pride season including a stop in San Francisco area over the Memorial Day Weekend on May, 24 at Pride Night at California's Great America, produced by drag celebrity Pollo Del Mar. Have you been to San Francisco before?

Alex Newell: No, I haven't been to San Francisco, but I'm really excited to come and looking forward to it.

Alex Newell (Wade/Unique Adams on 'GLEE') will be performing at Pride Night 2013 at California's Great America on May 24 for more information and tickets go to www.cagreatamerica.com/pridenight
Follow Alex on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ANew92 to find out what is next for the rising star.