Keala Settle is an American singer and actress best known for portraying the bearded lady Lettie Lutz in the 2017 musical film The Greatest Showman and for performing the award-winning anthem “This Is Me.” Born on November 5, 1975, in Honolulu, Hawaii, she is the eldest of five children. Her mother, Susanne Riwai, is of Māori descent from New Zealand, and her father, David Settle, is British-born. Settle is proud of her Māori heritage (affiliated with Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Kahungunu) as well as her Scottish and British roots.
Settle first gained recognition on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for her role in Hands on a Hardbody in 2013. Her big-screen breakthrough came with The Greatest Showman, where her performance of “This Is Me” won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award. Since then, she has appeared in films such as Ricki and the Flash, All My Life, and the upcoming Wicked: For Good. She continues to be a prominent figure in musical theater and film.
Who Is Keala Settle? The Singer and Actress Behind ‘This Is Me’
Keala Joan Settle
November 5, 1975 (age 49 as of 2025)
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Playing Lettie Lutz (the Bearded Lady) in The Greatest Showman and singing “This Is Me”
Singer, Actress (stage and screen)
$2 million (2025)
Key insights about Keala Settle:
- She rose to global fame after starring in The Greatest Showman and performing the Oscar-nominated anthem “This Is Me.”
- Her Broadway career includes originating the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody, for which she received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nominations.
- Settle played Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables on tour and Becky in the original Broadway cast of Waitress.
- She has appeared in films such as Ricki and the Flash and All My Life, and will play Miss Coddle in the Wicked film adaptations.
- Her ethnicity is Māori (Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Scottish, and British.
- As of 2025, her net worth is estimated around $2 million, derived from Broadway salaries, film roles, and music royalties, though exact figures are not publicly confirmed.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keala Joan Settle |
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1975 |
| Age (2025) | 49 |
| Place of Birth | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| Ethnicity | Māori (Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Scottish, British |
| Height | 5’6″ (1.68 m) |
| Marital Status | Married (husband not publicly named) |
| Occupation | Singer, Actress |
| Years Active | 2011–present |
| Notable Role | Lettie Lutz (The Greatest Showman) |
| Signature Song | “This Is Me” |
| Estimated Net Worth | $2 million (2025) |
Keala Settle’s Most Famous Roles: From The Greatest Showman to Wicked
What role did Keala Settle play in The Greatest Showman?
In The Greatest Showman (2017), Settle portrayed Lettie Lutz, the Bearded Lady. The character is based on a real performer from P.T. Barnum’s circus. Settle’s performance earned widespread acclaim, and she sang “This Is Me,” which became the film’s breakout hit.
Did Keala Settle sing ‘This Is Me’?
Yes, Keala Settle is the principal vocalist for “This Is Me,” written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The song won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2018 and was nominated for the Academy Award in the same category. Settle performed the song at the 90th Academy Awards ceremony.
Is Keala Settle in Wicked?
Keala Settle plays Miss Coddle in the two-part film adaptation of Wicked. The first film, Wicked, was released in 2024, and the sequel, Wicked: For Good, is scheduled for 2025. Earlier in her career, Settle performed as Madame Morrible in the national tour of Wicked (2016–2017).
In the stage production, Settle played Madame Morrible, the conniving headmistress. For the film version, she takes on the smaller role of Miss Coddle. The character is original to the movie and serves as a teacher at Shiz University. This marks her second appearance in the Wicked universe.
What movies and TV shows has Keala Settle been in?
Settle’s filmography includes Ricki and the Flash (2015) as Sharon, All My Life (2020) as Viv Lawrence, American Reject (2022) as Holly, and This Time Next Year (2024) as Bev. On television, she has appeared in The Good Wife and Blue Bloods. Her upcoming projects include Wicked: For Good (2025) and stage roles in Urinetown (NYC) and Diana Mixtape (The Outernet).
For a full list of credits, see her IMDb page.
Keala Settle’s Personal Life: Husband, Ethnicity, and the Story Behind Her Beard
Who is Keala Settle’s husband?
Keala Settle is married, but she has chosen to keep her husband’s identity private. No public information is available about his name, occupation, or the date of their marriage. Settle has not disclosed any details about her spouse in interviews or on social media.
What is Keala Settle’s ethnicity?
Settle is of Māori, Scottish, and British descent. Her mother is from New Zealand and belongs to the Māori iwi (tribes) Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Kahungunu. Her father is British-born. Settle has spoken proudly about her Māori heritage and often acknowledges her roots.
Settle’s Māori ancestry connects her to the Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Kahungunu tribes of New Zealand. She has expressed pride in this heritage and occasionally incorporates Māori language and cultural references into her public appearances.
Why does Keala Settle have a beard?
Keala Settle is not herself a bearded woman. She portrayed a bearded lady in The Greatest Showman, but in real life she does not have a beard. Some online speculation has linked her to the condition Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), but there is no confirmed public statement from Settle about any medical condition. Her portrayal of Lettie Lutz was achieved through makeup and prosthetics.
The character Lettie Lutz was a bearded lady, but that was a role. Keala Settle herself does not have facial hair. Rumors about PCOS are unconfirmed and not based on any official disclosure from Settle or her representatives.
How Much Is Keala Settle Worth? Net Worth and Career Earnings
Keala Settle’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Third-party estimates suggest it may be around $2 million as of 2025. Her income likely comes from Broadway salaries, film roles, music royalties (especially from “This Is Me”), and live performance fees. However, because Settle keeps her financial affairs private, these figures remain speculative. No reliable source has published a verified net worth.
Career Timeline of Keala Settle
- – Born on November 5 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- – Broadway debut as Shirley in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
- – Originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody on Broadway; nominated for Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards.
- – Performed as Madame Thénardier in the UK tour of Les Misérables.
- – Appeared in the film Ricki and the Flash starring Meryl Streep.
- – Played Madame Morrible in the national tour of Wicked.
- – Cast as Lettie Lutz in The Greatest Showman; song “This Is Me” becomes a global hit.
- – Performed “This Is Me” at the Academy Awards; released solo album.
- – Voiced characters in animated series including The Simpsons.
- – Plays Miss Coddle in Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025).
What We Know vs. What’s Speculated
Established information
- Keala Settle was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Māori mother and British father.
- She originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody and was nominated for a Tony.
- She played Lettie Lutz in The Greatest Showman and sang “This Is Me.”
- She performed as Madame Morrible in the national tour of Wicked.
- She is married, but her husband’s identity is not public.
Information that remains unclear
- The full name of her husband is not confirmed; she keeps her marriage private.
- Her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed; estimates range from $1 million to $3 million.
- Whether she has any medical condition such as PCOS is not confirmed – she has not publicly discussed it.
- Her exact earnings from “This Is Me” royalties are undisclosed.
Cultural Impact and Deeper Context
Keala Settle’s portrayal of the Bearded Lady in The Greatest Showman resonated deeply because it offered an authentic representation of a person living with a visible difference. The song “This Is Me” became an anthem for self-acceptance and has been performed at numerous pride events and empowerment campaigns. Settle has been praised for using her platform to encourage body positivity, even though she herself does not have a beard. Her career spans both stage and screen, drawing from a strong theater background that includes classic musicals like Les Misérables and contemporary works like Hands on a Hardbody.
With the Wicked film adaptation, Settle’s role as Miss Coddle brings her back into a major franchise. The character is new to the movie version, and fans are eager to see how she interprets it.
Notable Quotes and Authoritative Sources
“I love who I am, and I’m not going to apologize for it. My beard is part of me, and it’s part of my strength.”
— Keala Settle, interview with People (2018) – though it should be noted she was speaking about her character, not herself.
“When I sing ‘This Is Me,’ I’m singing for everyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong.”
— Keala Settle, Academy Awards red carpet (2018)
Authoritative sources for Keala Settle’s biography and career include Wikipedia, IMDb, Playbill, and Variety. Her music can be streamed on Spotify.
What’s Next for Keala Settle?
Keala Settle has several upcoming projects. She will appear in Wicked: For Good (2025) as Miss Coddle. On stage, she is set to perform in Urinetown in New York City and Diana Mixtape at The Outernet. She continues to record and perform live. For more on performers with similar stage-and-screen careers, see the biography of Jonathan Groff.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keala Settle
How old is Keala Settle?
Keala Settle was born on November 5, 1975, making her 49 years old as of 2025.
What is Keala Settle’s real name?
Her full name is Keala Joan Settle.
Did Keala Settle win an Oscar for ‘This Is Me’?
No, “This Is Me” was nominated for Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards but did not win.
Is Keala Settle married?
Yes, she is married, but she keeps her husband’s identity private.
What is Keala Settle’s height?
She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall.
Does Keala Settle have children?
There is no public information about her having children.
Why does Keala Settle have a beard?
She does not have a beard in real life. She portrayed a bearded lady in The Greatest Showman using prosthetics. Any medical condition is not publicly confirmed.
What is Keala Settle’s role in Wicked?
She performed as Madame Morrible in the national tour of Wicked and plays Miss Coddle in the film adaptations.
What is Keala Settle’s net worth?
Estimates suggest around $2 million, though exact figures are not publicly confirmed.
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Oscar Friel covers business regulation, public policy, economics and institutional accountability for Civic Affairs.