This week, Glee introduced a new character named Unique, a transgender African American student and performer in rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline. The character is played by Alex Newell, who finished as a runner up on The Glee Project, the Oxygen reality show in which a group of hopefuls competed for a spot on Fox’s hit show.

Audiences first saw Unique as Wade, a shy student from a different high school. Wade recalled being tormented by other kids at school and even family members. “Ever since I was a kid, I would play this game where I would pretend I was a different person,” she explained. ”The person I dreamed of being. The real me. I even have a different name. Unique.”

Check out Unique’s incredible performance! Major props to Glee for adding a trans character of color.

Category: News