Keala Settle is an American singer and actress best known for playing Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady, in the 2017 film The Greatest Showman and for performing the anthem “This Is Me.” Born Keala Joan Settle on November 5, 1975, in Lāʻie, Hawaii, she has built a career that spans Broadway, film, television, and music since 2002.
Settle grew up in Hawaii and attended Southern Utah University before moving into professional performance. She worked as a backup singer and performed on cruise ships before making her mark on Broadway. Her breakthrough came with her role in Hands on a Hardbody in 2013, but it was her casting in The Greatest Showman that brought her worldwide recognition.
Her performance of “This Is Me” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award. The song became a cultural touchstone for self-acceptance and representation.
Who Is Keala Settle? Biography and Background
Full name: Keala Joan Settle
Born: November 5, 1975
Known for: The Greatest Showman, “This Is Me”, Broadway
Occupation: Singer, actress
- Keala Settle rose to global fame for her role as the bearded lady in The Greatest Showman and for singing the Oscar-nominated song “This Is Me.”
- She has a significant Broadway background, originating the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody and performing in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
- Her mother is of Māori descent, and her father is English or British. Multiple sources describe her as Māori, Scottish, and British in heritage.
- She attended Southern Utah University before beginning her professional performance career.
- “This Is Me” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award.
- Her personal attributes, including her beard and ethnicity, are frequent topics of public curiosity.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | November 5, 1975 |
| Birthplace | Lāʻie, Hawaii |
| Occupation | Singer, actress |
| Years active | Since 2002 |
| Notable awards | Golden Globe for Best Original Song (2018) |
| Spouse | Not established |
| Children | Not confirmed |
| Net worth | No reliable figure available |
What Movies and TV Shows Has Keala Settle Been In?
Keala Settle in The Greatest Showman
Settle’s most famous film role is Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady, in The Greatest Showman (2017). The film, inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, became a global hit, and Settle’s performance of “This Is Me” became its defining moment. Wikipedia notes that this role dramatically expanded her career.
Is Keala Settle in Wicked?
Yes, Settle has been cast as Miss Coddle in the two-part film adaptation of Wicked. The first part, Wicked (2024), and the second, Wicked: For Good (2025), both feature her in this role. BroadwayWorld confirms her casting in the productions.
What Other TV Shows Has She Appeared In?
Settle appeared in the 2019 television production of the musical Rent. Her full television filmography is not comprehensively documented in available sources, so there may be additional appearances not captured here.
Beyond The Greatest Showman and Wicked, Settle’s film credits include Ricki and the Flash (2015) as Sharon, All My Life (2020) as Viv Lawrence, American Reject (2022) as Holly, This Time Next Year (2024) as Bev, and the animated feature Suzu of The Seventh Isle (2025). IMDb lists these along with Every Other Weekend (2018).
Did Keala Settle Sing “This Is Me”?
What Songs Has Keala Settle Recorded?
Yes, Settle is the vocalist behind “This Is Me,” the central song from The Greatest Showman. The track won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and received an Academy Award nomination. Her Spotify artist page features the soundtrack along with other recordings. She has also released music independently, though her discography is primarily tied to her stage and film work.
What Broadway Shows Has Keala Settle Performed In?
Settle first gained major stage recognition on Broadway with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2011). She originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody (2013), a performance that drew Tony-related attention. She later appeared in Waitress on Broadway as Becky in 2020. Her other theatre credits include tours and productions of Hairspray and South Pacific.
Who Is Keala Settle Married To? Personal Life and Net Worth
Does Keala Settle Have Children?
Available sources do not confirm whether Settle has children. Her marital status is also not established. Fandango’s biography and other major profiles do not mention a spouse or children.
What Is Keala Settle’s Net Worth?
No reliable net worth figure is available from the sources consulted. Mainstream biographical databases such as Wikipedia and IMDb do not include a verified net worth for Settle. Any figures circulating online are unofficial estimates and should be treated as unconfirmed.
Sources consistently indicate that Settle has Māori and English or British ancestry. Her mother is of Māori descent, and her father is English or British. BroadwayWorld provides specific Māori tribal affiliations: Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Kahungunu, alongside Scottish and British heritage.
Keala Settle Career Timeline: From Broadway to Hollywood
- 1975: Born in Lāʻie, Hawaii.
- Early 2000s: Begins theater career, working as a backup singer and performing on cruise ships.
- 2011: Appears on Broadway in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
- 2013: Originates the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody on Broadway.
- 2017: Cast as Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady, in The Greatest Showman.
- 2018: “This Is Me” wins the Golden Globe for Best Original Song and is nominated for an Academy Award.
- 2020: Appears as Becky in Waitress on Broadway.
- 2024: Cast as Miss Coddle in Wicked.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Keala Settle?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| She played Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady, in The Greatest Showman. The beard reference is tied to her character role. | Whether she naturally has a beard or has spoken publicly about a condition such as hirsutism is not documented in the available sources. |
| Her ethnicity is Māori and English or British. Specific iwi affiliations are Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Kahungunu. | The question of whether she is transgender is not addressed in any verified source, and the beard is a character attribute, not a personal one. |
| She is not confirmed as married, and no spouse is identified in any major biographical source. | Her net worth has no reliable public figure attached to it. |
What Is the Significance of Keala Settle’s Career?
Settle’s casting in The Greatest Showman broke Hollywood norms for non-traditional appearance. The character of Lettie Lutz, a bearded woman, was portrayed with dignity and depth, and “This Is Me” became an anthem for self-acceptance and representation. Her continued casting in major productions like Wicked demonstrates ongoing demand for performers with a distinctive presence and the ability to embody character roles that challenge conventional standards. Her Instagram presence reflects her ongoing engagement with fans and her career.
Where Do the Key Sources on Keala Settle Come From?
“Keala Settle is an American singer and actress best known for playing Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady, in The Greatest Showman and for singing ‘This Is Me.'”
— Wikipedia entry for Keala Settle
“BroadwayWorld describes her as a Māori (Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Scottish, and British artist.”
— BroadwayWorld profile
The primary sources for biographical information on Settle include Wikipedia, IMDb, Fandango, and BroadwayWorld. Her music is available on streaming platforms including Spotify. For interviews and public appearances, YouTube hosts a range of content.
Summary: Who Is Keala Settle?
Keala Settle is a singer and actress from Hawaii who rose to international fame through her role in The Greatest Showman and her performance of “This Is Me.” With a foundation in Broadway theatre and a growing film career that now includes Wicked, she has become a recognizable figure in entertainment. Her Māori and British heritage, her Broadway roots, and her role as a character performer who challenges traditional appearance norms all contribute to her public identity. See our guide to The Greatest Showman cast and characters. Explore other Broadway performers turned film stars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keala Settle
What is Keala Settle’s age?
She was born on November 5, 1975, which makes her 49 years old as of 2025.
How tall is Keala Settle?
Her height is not documented in the major biographical sources consulted.
Does Keala Settle have children?
Available sources do not confirm whether she has children. Her family life is not publicly documented.
Where can I find Keala Settle on Instagram?
Her official Instagram account is @realkealasettle.
How to book Keala Settle for an event?
Booking inquiries are typically handled through professional talent agencies. No direct booking information is available in the public sources used here.
Is Keala Settle in Wicked?
Yes, she plays Miss Coddle in both parts of the film adaptation, Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025).
What is Keala Settle’s ethnicity?
She is of Māori and English or British descent, with specific tribal affiliations to Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Kahungunu.
Why does Keala Settle have a beard?
The beard is associated with her character Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady, in The Greatest Showman. It is a role she played, not a personal attribute.
What Broadway shows has Keala Settle performed in?
She has performed in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2011), Hands on a Hardbody (2013), Waitress (2020), and tours of Hairspray and South Pacific.
Who is Keala Settle married to?
Her marital status is not established, and no spouse is identified in any major biographical source.
Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at DailyCity.co.uk, covering breaking news and general city stories across the UK.