Lexi Lawson

{{Infobox person

| name = Lexi Lawson

| image = Lexi Lawson speaking at the grave of Alexander Hamilton with the USCG (cropped).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Lawson in 2017

| birth_name =

| birth_date =

| birth_place = The Bronx, New York City

| nationality = American

| occupation = Actress, singer

| years_active = 2007–present

| known_for =

| notable_works =

}}

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.

Early life

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.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Barbara |date=2019-12-15 |title=Hamilton Star Returns Home |url=https://www.newburghny.org/broadway-star-returns-to-former-high-school-to-speak-with-students/ |website=A River of Opportunities, Newburgh, NY |language=en-US}} She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 2002.{{Cite web |last=Bellamy |first=Lana |date=December 18, 2019 |title=Lawson inspires NFA theater group |url=https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/2019/12/19/lawson-inspires-nfa-theater-group/2053926007/ |website=Times Herald-Record |language=en-US}}

Career

In 2010 she joined the touring company of Rent when she was cast as Mimi Marquez for the North American tour. 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.{{cite news |last1=Cameron |first1=Kelly |title=BWW Interviews: Lexi Lawson Chats about RENT, The Broadway Tour |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/article/BWW-Interviews-Lexi-Lawson-Chats-about-RENT-The-Broadway-Tour-20100110 |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |work=Broadway World |date=January 10, 2010}} She was subsequently cast in the part in the United States national tour.{{cite news |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title='Hamilton' Books Brandon Victor Dixon & Lexi Lawson |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/hamilton-cast-brandon-victor-dixon-lexi-lawson-1201783014/ |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 6, 2016}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Clement |first1=Olivia |title=How Well Does Lexi Lawson Know Hamilton? |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/how-well-does-lexi-lawson-know-hamilton |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |work=Playbill |date=March 3, 2017}} 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.{{cite news |title=HAMILTON's Lexi Lawson Joins SEASONS OF LOVE Concert |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/HAMILTONs-Lexi-Lawson-Joins-SEASONS-OF-LOVE-Concert-20170201 |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |work=Broadway World |date=February 1, 2017}}

Lawson recorded the single "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)", which was released in December 2017.{{cite news |title=HAMILTON's Lexi Lawson Drops First Christmas Song |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/HAMILTONs-Lexi-Lawson-Drops-First-Christmas-Song-20171204 |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |work=Broadway World |date=December 4, 2017}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Vine |first1=Hannah |title=See Hamilton Cast Members Visit Restored Alexander Hamilton Statue at MCNY |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/see-hamilton-cast-members-visit-restored-alexander-hamilton-statue-at-mcny |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |work=Playbill |date=December 7, 2017}} 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.{{cite news |last1=McPhee |first1=Ryan |title=Five Eliza Hamiltons Join Forces for Lin-Manuel Miranda's April #Hamildrop |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/five-eliza-hamiltons-join-forces-for-lin-manuel-mirandas-april-hamildrop |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |work=Playbill |date=April 30, 2018}} Miranda explained on Twitter that the song was the original version of a song sung by Eliza in the musical.{{cite magazine |last1=Carr |first1=Mary Kate |title=Five different Eliza Hamiltons come together to sing 'First Burn' |url=http://ew.com/music/2018/04/30/eliza-hamiltons-sing-first-burn/ |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 30, 2018}}

Personal life

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.{{cite news |last1=Fallon Gordon |first1=Jessica |title=BWW Exclusive: TAILS OF BROADWAY- HAMILTON's Lexi Lawson Works it with Seven! |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Exclusive-TAILS-OF-BROADWAY--HAMILTONs-Lexi-Lawson-Works-it-with-Seven-20161026 |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |work=Broadway World |date=October 26, 2016}}