Keala Settle has made a name for herself as the singing bearded lady in The Greatest Showman, but it’s far from her first role.
Below, find a handy list of five things you should know about the breakout star:
1. Settle is a native of Hawaii
Born in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii, Settle is the eldest of five siblings. The singer went to high school in Hawaii before heading for the continental U.S., spending her college years Stateside at Southern Utah University.
2. Before The Greatest Showman, Settle was a Broadway regular.
After getting her start on Broadway as Shirley in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, her Tony-nominated starring role in Hands on a Hardbody opened the doors for her to star in many more plays. Settle also appeared in Waitress and as Madame Thenardier in the second revival of Lés Misérables.
3. Settle’s big number is nominated for best original song at the 2018 Oscars.
Settle’s show-stealing performance of the heartfelt “This Is Me” in The Greatest Showman was one of the many reasons why the album shot to the top of the Billboard 200. And her big number — written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul of La La Land fame — is nominated for best original song at this year’s Oscars.
4. She’s also a recording artist.
You didn’t think Settle would use that immense vocal talent strictly for Broadway or the big screen, did you? The award-winning talent is also a recording artist, releasing her latest EP Chapter One on Jan. 11. Co-star Hugh Jackman raved about it in a video that Settle uploaded to Twitter.
He’s been my guiding light. THX 4 THE PLUG BIG BRO! Link in BIO #Repost @RealHughJackman (@get_repost)
???
It’s called “CHAPTER ONE” it’s by Keala and it’s out today. It’s unbelievable and I should know because I’m in the music industry now!!! #shameless @kealasettle pic.twitter.com/ip5JFxROmJ— Keala Settle (@kealasettle) January 11, 2018
5. NBC is using “This Is Me” in promotions for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in PyongChang, South Korea.
The standout song from The Greatest Showman soundtrack has made waves everywhere, and now NBC will be using the emphatic tune in the lead-up to and during the NBC Olympics. A promotional ad appeared during Super Bowl LII featuring “This Is Me.”