Keala is a proud Māori (Ngāti Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Scottish, and British artist born and raised in the South Pacific and the continental USA. She currently resides in the UK and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity in both the USA and the UK.
Training: The shower, yelling at her siblings, and the Polynesian Cultural Center in her hometown of Laie, Hawaii, USA.Theatre includes: Diana Mixtape (The Outernet, 2025); Urinetown (New York City Center, 2025); More Than You Fall ( Southwark Playhouse, 2024); & Juliet (Sydney Lyric, 2024); Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act (London,2022); & Juliet (West End debut, 2022); Waitress (Broadway, 2015–2016); Les Misérables (Broadway revival, 2014–2015); Hands On A Hardbody (Broadway, 2013–Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Tony nominations); Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Broadway, 2010–2012); South Pacific (Lincoln Center Theatre National Tour, 2009–2010); and Hairspray (US 1st National Tour,2003–2006). Television includes: The Masked Singer UK(2024), Big Shots (2021), Murder in Provence (2021)and The Big C (2014).
Film credits include: Wicked (2024), This Time Next Year (2024),The Greatest Showman (2017), and Ricki & the Flash (2015). Animation: Suzu of The Seventh Isle (2025). Concerts and events include: BBC’s 80th Anniversary VE Day Celebration(2025), Keala Settle at Cadogan Hall (2022), Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee Celebration(2022), The Royal Variety Performance (2020), Hugh Jackman: The Man, The Music, The Show (2019), and Carols by Candlelight (2017).
Next up, she will lead a brand-new re-imagining of Mrs. President, a psychological drama that uncovers the inner world and the passions and ambitions of Mary Lincoln, America’s First Lady. Performances are set for January 2026 in London.
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Keala SettleHairspray
Keala Settle has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.
Keala Settle has appeared on London's West End in 4 shows.
Keala Settle's first West End show was & Juliet which opened in 2021
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hands on a Hardbody, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Hands on a Hardbody, Theatre World Award (Theatre World Awards) for Hands on a Hardbody, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hands on a Hardbody and Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Hairspray.
Keala Settle has won the Theatre World Award for her performance in Hands on a Hardbody.
Videos