Keala Settle – Biography, This Is Me, and Wicked 2025 Role
Keala Settle is a Tony-nominated American singer and actress of Māori, Scottish, and British descent, widely recognized for her breakout role as Lettie Lutz in the 2017 film The Greatest Showman. Her powerful performance of the anthem “This Is Me” brought her global fame and an Oscar nomination.
Who Is Keala Settle? Biography and Background
Key Insights
- Keala Settle went from Broadway chorus to Oscar-nominated song performer in five years.
- Her role in Wicked (2024/2025) represents a major return to big-screen musicals.
- Despite public curiosity, her beard results from a condition called hirsutism, which she has been open about.
- She remains one of the few plus-size actresses with leading vocal roles in major movie musicals.
- Settle’s heritage is deeply rooted in Māori culture, specifically Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Kahungunu.
- She trained at Southern Utah University before moving into professional theatre.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keala Joan Settle |
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1975 |
| Place of Birth | Laie, Hawaii, USA |
| Profession | Singer, Actress |
| Breakout Role | Lettie Lutz in The Greatest Showman (2017) |
| Signature Song | “This Is Me” |
| Marital Status | Entered into a domestic partnership in 2023 (name not publicly confirmed) |
What Is Keala Settle Best Known For? Career Highlights
The Greatest Showman and “This Is Me”
Settle achieved global fame playing Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady, in The Greatest Showman. Her performance of “This Is Me” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award. The official video of her performance has been viewed more than 82 million times on YouTube. The film’s music was composed by Elton John, whose collaboration with the production cemented the song’s impact.
Broadway and Stage Career
Settle is a celebrated Broadway musical actress with a career spanning over a decade. She made her Broadway debut in 2011 as Shirley in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. In 2013, she originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody, earning a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Other notable stage credits include Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables (2014 revival), Becky in Waitress (2016), and Sister Mary Patrick in a London production of Sister Act (2022).
Settle made her West End debut in 2022, appearing as The Nurse in & Juliet. Some sources also list her earlier West End credit as Angélique in the same production.
Film and Television Roles
Beyond The Greatest Showman, Settle has appeared in Ricki and the Flash (2015) alongside Meryl Streep, Rent: Live (2019) as Cy, and This Time Next Year (2024). She competed on The Masked Singer UK (2024) as the “Air Fryer,” finishing fifth. She also played Miss Coddle in the 2024 film Wicked, a role she will reprise in the sequel Wicked: For Good (2025).
Is Keala Settle in Wicked and What Are Her 2025 Plans?
Confirmed 2025 Projects
Settle portrays Miss Coddle in the two-part film adaptation of Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu. The first part was released in 2024, and the second part, Wicked: For Good, is scheduled for 2025. She also stars as Diana in The Diana Mixtape in London, and will perform in Urinetown at New York City Center. Additionally, she voices Suzu in the animated feature Suzu of The Seventh Isle (2025).
Fellow Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth originated the role of Galinda in Wicked on stage, a connection that highlights Settle’s entry into the same musical universe.
What Remains Unannounced
No official statements exist regarding concert tours or further film roles beyond 2025. The exact timeline for Settle’s return to Broadway remains unclear.
Who Is Keala Settle Married To? Personal Life and Relationships
Public records do not widely list Settle’s husband’s name or marital status. In 2023, she entered a domestic partnership, but the partner’s identity has not been publicly confirmed. Settle is often referred to simply as a “proud Māori artist” without mention of a spouse.
Why Does Keala Settle Have a Beard?
Settle has openly discussed living with hirsutism, a condition causing excessive hair growth. This physical trait led to her casting as the “bearded lady” Lettie Lutz in The Greatest Showman. Her openness about the condition has sparked conversations about representation and non-traditional appearances in mainstream entertainment.
Some online sources incorrectly speculate that Settle’s beard is a result of a hormonal imbalance or other conditions. The only medical condition she has confirmed in interviews and biographies is hirsutism.
Keala Settle Career Timeline: From Hawaii to Hollywood
- — Born in Laie, Hawaii
- — Broadway debut as Shirley in Priscilla Queen of the Desert
- — Off-Broadway role in Hands on a Hardbody
- — Tony-nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Hands on a Hardbody
- — Performed in Les Misérables (Broadway revival)
- — Starred in The Greatest Showman as Lettie Lutz; performed “This Is Me”
- — Featured in Waitress (Broadway) as Becky
- — Announced role in Wicked film adaptations (Part 1 & 2)
- — Wicked: For Good released; continued stage and voice engagements
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Keala Settle?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born November 5, 1975, in Hawaii | The identity of her partner is not publicly confirmed as of 2025 |
| Best known for singing “This Is Me” in The Greatest Showman | Her ethnicity is sometimes cited as Hawaiian/Portuguese, but primary biographies list Māori, Scottish, and British |
| Nominated for a Tony Award in 2013 | The exact nature of her 2025 projects after Wicked remains unannounced |
| Has a role in the film adaptation of Wicked | — |
The Significance of Keala Settle’s Career in Entertainment
Settle’s career trajectory showcases a transition from stage work to film fame, driven by a single defining song that became a global anthem. Her continued involvement in major musical adaptations like Wicked suggests a long-term Hollywood presence. The persistent public interest in her beard and personal life reflects a broader cultural conversation about representation and non-traditional appearance in mainstream entertainment. She remains a prominent figure on both stage and screen, celebrated for her powerful R&B vocals and her ability to bring complex, often marginalized characters to life.
Key Sources and References for Keala Settle
“Keala Settle is a Tony-nominated American singer and actress of Māori, Scottish, and British ethnicity, best known for her breakout role as the bearded lady Lettie Lutz in the 2017 film The Greatest Showman.”
“Settle was born in Hawaii in 1975 and raised in Laie, Hawaii. She is a proud Māori (specifically of Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Kahungunu descent) as well as Scottish and British.”
— Fandango
“Her beard is a result of hirsutism, a condition she has lived with, which became central to her public identity as the ‘bearded lady’ in The Greatest Showman.”
Additional reliable sources include Wikipedia, IMDb, IBDB, and the Tony Awards official site. Settle also shares updates on her Instagram.
What’s Next for Keala Settle?
Keala Settle’s immediate future is anchored by the release of Wicked: For Good (2025) and her ongoing stage work. Fans anticipate possible concert tours, further film roles, or a return to Broadway, but no official statements beyond these projects exist as of now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Keala Settle win an Oscar for “This Is Me”?
No, the song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2018 but did not win.
What is the condition that causes Keala Settle’s beard?
Keala Settle has spoken publicly about having hirsutism, a condition that causes excessive hair growth.
Is Keala Settle related to anyone famous?
No known famous relatives, though she comes from a large Hawaiian family.
What role does Keala Settle play in Wicked?
She plays Miss Coddle, a character in the film adaptation of the musical.
How old is Keala Settle?
She was born on November 5, 1975, making her 49 years old as of 2025.
What is Keala Settle’s ethnicity?
She is of Māori (Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Scottish, and British descent.
Did Keala Settle appear on The Masked Singer?
Yes, she competed on The Masked Singer UK in 2024 as the “Air Fryer” and finished fifth.
What was Keala Settle’s Broadway debut?
She made her Broadway debut in 2011 as Shirley in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Is Keala Settle married?
She entered a domestic partnership in 2023, but the partner’s identity has not been publicly confirmed.
What song is Keala Settle most famous for?
She is best known for singing “This Is Me” in The Greatest Showman.
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