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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 23: NeNe Leakes during the curtain call starring as Matron 'Mamma' Morton in Broadway's 'Chicago' at Ambassador Theater on November 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Walter McBride/WireImage)
Stars with roots in a vast array of disciplines have found themselves on a Broadway stage. From country music chart-toppers to fashion writers, there's room for everyone on the Great White Way.
Sometimes, the most successful Broadway actors have been those who made a name for themselves by not acting at all.
<p>That's right: some reality television stars have shed cocktails and competitions in favor of curtain calls. Here are some of our favorites.</p><h2>NeNe Leakes</h2><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="88d0cb3bfbfccfae92b7dd53b98efeb9"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VMECbzMFwgM?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p><p>Leakes shot to superstardom after audiences fell in love with her on <em>Real Housewives of Atlanta</em>. Since then, she's appeared on a litany of reality shows, but also showed off her acting chops in television shows like <em>Glee </em>and <em>The New Normal</em>. Leakes is a two-time Broadway performer, having appeared as Madame in <em>Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella </em>and Matron Mama Morton in <em>Chicago</em>.</p><h2>Fantasia Barrino</h2><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f4688fd28438802cc5518ed0b5db7485"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxI-MrFqb9A?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p><p>It wasn't any secret that the 2004 winner of <em>American Idol </em>had a stunning set of pipes, but Fantasia Barrino's acting talent proved excellent as well. After riveting audiences in her Broadway debut as Celie in the original production of <em>The Color Purple</em>, Barrino appeared in 2012's <em>After Midnight</em>. We hope she graces the stage again soon.</p><p><div data-conversation-spotlight=""></div></p><h2>Ashley Parker Angel</h2><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="14c430dc92291fdd0f55b2cc4072beab"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IZUTdO4bam0?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p><p>This former boyband member and star of Mtv's <em>There & Back </em>proved to audiences that he didn't need a recording studio to be in his element. Though Ashley Parker Angel had done acting work before, live theatre proved to be a whole new challenge—one he wasn't afraid to face. Angel first appeared on Broadway as Link in <em>Hairspray </em>before returning in 2017 as Fiyero in <em>Wicked</em>.</p><h2>Neil Haskell</h2><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4e695fa973bf2f964cd1fff561f77c4e"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tMeM8ersolI?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p><p>The <em>So You Think You Can Dance? </em>finalist's breathtaking movement skills were on full display throughout the competition, but his star quality was too big for just the small screen. Haskell joined the cast of <em>Hamilton</em> as a member of the ensemble before taking on the role of General Charles Lee and occasionally King George III. We're sure he has many Broadway successes still to come.</p><h2>Alex Newell</h2><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="48c5af29eb0c8a55dcd2be7054a3629d"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/svc26VIJ2pM?start=76&rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p><p>Alex Newell is a superstar and he's been proving that since he was a contestant on <em>The Glee Project</em>. Newell was a runner-up in the competition, but his talents were too big to ignore, and producers awarded him a series regular role on the show. He most recently wowed the audience with his stratospheric high notes and maternal presence as Asaka in the latest revival of <em>Once on this Island</em>.</p><h2>Peppermint</h2><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f3d11c61d99f54c7e33c3d3d0cb3ab40"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JyEpEYG-tHw?start=195&rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p><p>Everyone knew that <em>Rupaul's Drag Race </em>runner-up Peppermint could serve looks and moves like nobody else. But her talents were on full display in Broadway's recent production of <em>Head Over Heels </em>as Pythio. Not only did audiences live for her, but she made history as well. She was the first openly transgender woman to originate a principal role in a Broadway production. Now, <em>that's</em> worth a standing ovation.</p><p>Is there anyone we're forgetting? Let us know in the comments!</p>
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