Some artists perform.

Some artists transform.

And then there’s Alex Newell — a performer whose presence feels like an act of fearless self-expression every single time they step onstage.

In this unforgettable episode of The Salisha Show (then Black Hair in the Big Leagues), Salisha Thomas sits down with the Broadway and television star for a conversation that goes far beyond hair and beauty. Together, they dive into artistry, gender expression, performance, creativity, identity, Broadway culture, and the emotional power of transformation.

The result is one of the most fascinating conversations in the show’s archive.

Who Is Alex Newell?

Alex Newell first captured mainstream attention on Glee before becoming a powerhouse in theater, television, and music.

Fans know them from:

• Glee

• Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

• Once on This Island

• Shucked

• their genre-defying music career

• groundbreaking representation in entertainment

But this episode reveals something even deeper:
Alex approaches hair itself as an art form.

“My Hair and Makeup Is Art.”

One of the standout moments in the interview comes when Alex explains how hair became part of their creative identity.

They describe constantly evolving hairstyles on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist and intentionally staying ahead of beauty trends before they became mainstream.

At one point, Alex says:

“My hair and my makeup is art.”

That line perfectly captures the spirit of the episode.

For Alex, beauty isn’t separate from performance.
It is performance.

Hair becomes:

• storytelling

• experimentation

• rebellion

• fashion

• mood

• identity

• self-expression

And Salisha’s curiosity throughout the interview creates space for an incredibly nuanced conversation about what it means to be seen.

The Hair Journey That Changed Everything

Alex also shares the pivotal moment that transformed their relationship with hair forever.

While working on Glee, they initially felt boxed into a particular look. But after a photoshoot and a life-changing haircut from a stylist they trusted, everything shifted.

Suddenly:

• wigs

• sew-ins

• color

• cuts

• styling

• experimentation

became part of an endless creative playground.

Alex hilariously recounts:

• a redhead era

• green contacts

• sew-ins down to their knees

• evolving beauty aesthetics

• predicting trends before they hit mainstream culture

And honestly? The entire conversation feels like a masterclass in owning your individuality before the world catches up to it.

Representation Matters — Especially on Broadway

The episode also explores the realities of being a Black artist navigating predominantly white creative spaces.

Alex candidly discusses how even beauty choices can become complicated when working within systems that don’t always understand Black hair or Black expression.

That honesty gives the episode real emotional weight.

Because underneath the glamour, there’s a larger conversation happening about:

• visibility

• authenticity

• inclusion

• artistry

• identity

• representation in entertainment

And it’s exactly the kind of nuanced, human-centered conversation that has become a signature of The Salisha Show.

Broadway, Identity, and Creative Freedom

Salisha also reflects on how the podcast itself began evolving through conversations like this one.

Originally centered specifically around Black hair, the show organically expanded into broader conversations about the Black and brown experience in entertainment, media, beauty, and culture.

Alex Newell’s episode became part of that evolution.

Topics explored include:

• pronouns

• backstage culture

• self-image

• Broadway beauty standards

• self-expression

• confidence

• fashion

• artistic freedom

And because the conversation feels warm instead of performative, listeners get something rare:
a genuine exchange instead of a headline-driven interview.

Why This Episode Still Resonates Today

Years later, this episode feels more relevant than ever.

We’re living in an era where audiences increasingly value:

• authenticity

• individuality

• creative ownership

• fluid artistry

• multidimensional performers

And Alex Newell embodies all of it.

This conversation isn’t just about Broadway.
It’s about permission.

Permission to evolve.
Permission to experiment.
Permission to redefine beauty for yourself.

Listen to the Full Episode

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE.

Explore more episodes from The Salisha Show for conversations exploring Broadway, entertainment, beauty, identity, culture, and creativity.

Featured guest:
Alex Newell

Topics include:

• Broadway

• Black hair

• wigs and sew-ins

• identity

• self-expression

• gender expression

• beauty trends

• Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

• Glee

• Once on This Island

• representation in entertainment

• backstage culture

• artistry and transformation