Lexi Lawson is an American actress and singer, best known for her work in musicals. She held the lead female roles in touring productions of Rent and In the Heights. Lawson made her Broadway debut as Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton.

Lexi Lawson
Lawson in 2017
Born
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active2007–present

Early life

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Lexi Lawson was born and raised in the Bronx in New York City. As a child she moved with her family to Newburgh, New York.[1] She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 2002.[2]

Career

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In 2010 she joined the touring company of Rent when she was cast as Mimi Marquez for the North American tour.[3] She had become a finalist on the eighth season of American Idol but chose to drop out in order to tour with Rent. Shortly prior to her contract coming to an end, she expressed an interest in the role of Vanessa in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In the Heights.[3] She was subsequently cast in the part in the United States national tour.[4]

Lawson made her Broadway debut when she was announced as replacing Phillipa Soo in the role of Eliza Hamilton in Miranda's Hamilton. Her first performance took place on July 9, 2016.[4][5] On February 12, 2017, she joined with other former cast members of Rent to perform a tribute to the musical entitled "Seasons of Love" at The Cutting Room in New York City.[6]

Lawson recorded the single "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)", which was released in December 2017.[7] That same month, she was present for the unveiling of the restored bust of Alexander Hamilton at the Museum of the City of New York alongside fellow cast member Anthony Lee Medina.[8] She teamed up with four other Eliza actresses from Hamilton productions on Miranda's Hamildrops in 2018. The track, "First Burn", featured Lawson along with Julia K. Harriman, Shoba Narayan, Rachelle Ann Go, and Arianna Afsar.[9] Miranda explained on Twitter that the song was the original version of a song sung by Eliza in the musical.[10]

Personal life

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Lawson is married to actor Leonidas Gulaptis; they have one child together. She owns a Yorkshire Terrier. She bought the dog from a breeder in 2008, and would take it with her as she toured the US on the productions of Rent and In The Heights.[11]

Theatre credits

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Year(s) Production Role Location Category
2009–10 Rent Mimi Marquez North America National tour
2010 In The Heights Vanessa United States National tour
2016–18 Hamilton Eliza Hamilton Richard Rodgers Theatre Broadway

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 Tonight's the Nite Band leader TV talk show, 1 episode
2009 Ghosts of Girlfriends Past Wedding singer
2012 What Would You Do? Lexi TV series, 1 episode
You're Nobody 'til Somebody Kills You Beautiful girl
2013 The Mentalist Rose Salas TV series, 1 episode
2014 Sanjay and Craig Pop Song Vocalist (Voice) TV series, 1 episode
2017 Power Olivia Gorman TV series, 2 episodes
2019 Always and Forever Christmas Lucy TV movie

References

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  1. ^ Lee, Barbara (2019-12-15). "Hamilton Star Returns Home". A River of Opportunities, Newburgh, NY.
  2. ^ Bellamy, Lana (December 18, 2019). "Lawson inspires NFA theater group". Times Herald-Record.
  3. ^ a b Cameron, Kelly (January 10, 2010). "BWW Interviews: Lexi Lawson Chats about RENT, The Broadway Tour". Broadway World. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Petski, Denise (July 6, 2016). "'Hamilton' Books Brandon Victor Dixon & Lexi Lawson". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  5. ^ Clement, Olivia (March 3, 2017). "How Well Does Lexi Lawson Know Hamilton?". Playbill. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  6. ^ "HAMILTON's Lexi Lawson Joins SEASONS OF LOVE Concert". Broadway World. February 1, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  7. ^ "HAMILTON's Lexi Lawson Drops First Christmas Song". Broadway World. December 4, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  8. ^ Vine, Hannah (December 7, 2017). "See Hamilton Cast Members Visit Restored Alexander Hamilton Statue at MCNY". Playbill. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  9. ^ McPhee, Ryan (April 30, 2018). "Five Eliza Hamiltons Join Forces for Lin-Manuel Miranda's April #Hamildrop". Playbill. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  10. ^ Carr, Mary Kate (April 30, 2018). "Five different Eliza Hamiltons come together to sing 'First Burn'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  11. ^ Fallon Gordon, Jessica (October 26, 2016). "BWW Exclusive: TAILS OF BROADWAY- HAMILTON's Lexi Lawson Works it with Seven!". Broadway World. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
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