Keala Joan Settle (born November , ) is an American actress and
singer. Settle originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a
Hardbody, which ran on Broadway in , and was nominated for the Outer
Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony Award for Best
Featured Actress in a Musical. In , she portrayed Lettie Lutz, a
bearded lady, in the musical film The Greatest Showman. The song "This
Is Me" from the film, principally sung by Settle, won the Golden
Globe Award for Best Original Song, and was nominated for the Academy
Award for Best Original Song. On January , , Settle sang "Seasons of
Love" in Fox's Rent: Live.Settle was born in Hawaii, the eldest of
five children of Susanne (née Riwai), who is of MÄ ori (RangitÄ ne,
NgÄ ti Kahungunu) descent from New Zealand, and British-born David
Settle. She is a graduate of Kahuku High School (class of ), and an
alumna of Southern Utah University.Settle made her Broadway debut in
in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as Shirley and in the
ensemble.Settle originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a
Hardbody, a musical which ran briefly on Broadway in , and is based on
the documentary about real people competing to win a new truck. The
TheatreMania reviewer wrote: "Settle, as Norma, steals every scene
she's in. The spectacularly bizarre lead-in to her big number, 'Joy of
the Lord,' is more difficult to pull off than most Shakespearean
monologues, and her solo vocals reveal a soulful, oversized gospel
range that drives the Holy Spirit straight to the back of the theater.
When she tearfully realizes what her faith in God may have wrought, it
stings like a chigger bite. Settle's touching performance should go on
the shortlist for every Best Featured Actress prize in town." For this
role, Settle was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk,
and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Additionally,
she was awarded the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway or
Off-Broadway debut performance during the - theatrical season.
singer. Settle originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a
Hardbody, which ran on Broadway in , and was nominated for the Outer
Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony Award for Best
Featured Actress in a Musical. In , she portrayed Lettie Lutz, a
bearded lady, in the musical film The Greatest Showman. The song "This
Is Me" from the film, principally sung by Settle, won the Golden
Globe Award for Best Original Song, and was nominated for the Academy
Award for Best Original Song. On January , , Settle sang "Seasons of
Love" in Fox's Rent: Live.Settle was born in Hawaii, the eldest of
five children of Susanne (née Riwai), who is of MÄ ori (RangitÄ ne,
NgÄ ti Kahungunu) descent from New Zealand, and British-born David
Settle. She is a graduate of Kahuku High School (class of ), and an
alumna of Southern Utah University.Settle made her Broadway debut in
in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as Shirley and in the
ensemble.Settle originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a
Hardbody, a musical which ran briefly on Broadway in , and is based on
the documentary about real people competing to win a new truck. The
TheatreMania reviewer wrote: "Settle, as Norma, steals every scene
she's in. The spectacularly bizarre lead-in to her big number, 'Joy of
the Lord,' is more difficult to pull off than most Shakespearean
monologues, and her solo vocals reveal a soulful, oversized gospel
range that drives the Holy Spirit straight to the back of the theater.
When she tearfully realizes what her faith in God may have wrought, it
stings like a chigger bite. Settle's touching performance should go on
the shortlist for every Best Featured Actress prize in town." For this
role, Settle was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk,
and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Additionally,
she was awarded the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway or
Off-Broadway debut performance during the - theatrical season.
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