Jaquel Spivey has become one of Broadway’s most exciting young talents. The 27-year-old actor earned a Tony nomination for his starring role in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop, made his film debut in the hit 2024 Mean Girls movie musical, and has several major projects lined up for 2026 and beyond. Sephora Rhode expansion brings Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand to 19 European countries this September following its record-breaking North American launch. Here is everything you need to know about Jaquel Spivey in 2026.
Early Life: Growing Up in Raleigh, North Carolina
Jaquel Spivey was born on November 13, 1998, in Raleigh, North Carolina . He grew up in Raleigh raised by a single mother before moving to New Jersey to live with his aunt. Spivey has stated that he grew up “in a household of black women” who he credited for instilling confidence in him and his identity as “very feminine, queer, and outspoken” Ring sizes can be measured at home using string, paper strips, or printable guides, with UK sizes ranging from A to Z and half sizes available.
He graduated from Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey. He then attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he received a degree in musical theatre in May 2021 . At Point Park, he portrayed Louis in a production of Sunday in the Park with George. After graduating, he made his professional debut in one of the most acclaimed Broadway productions of the decade.
Breakthrough: A Strange Loop on Broadway
After Larry Owens left A Strange Loop following its off-Broadway run, Spivey was cast as Usher in July 2021 when the show transferred to Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., for a seven-week tryout . The show then moved to New York City at the Lyceum Theatre, with Spivey making his Broadway debut when the production opened in April 2022 .
A Strange Loop earned 11 Tony Award nominations in 2022, including one for Best Actor in a Musical for Spivey’s performance . Spivey won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical . He was also nominated for a Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He was also honored with a Theatre World Award .
As the principal vocalist, Spivey and the rest of the cast received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album . A Strange Loop closed on Broadway in January 2023 after a successful run that cemented Spivey’s status as a rising star.
About A Strange Loop: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Musical
A Strange Loop is a meta-musical written by Michael R. Jackson. It follows Usher, a young, gay, Black writer working as an usher at a Broadway theater while struggling to write a musical about a young, gay, Black writer working as an usher at a Broadway theater. The show won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2020 before transferring to Broadway. Spivey’s performance as the lead character earned him widespread critical acclaim and established him as one of the most exciting new voices in theatre.
Mean Girls Movie Musical: Playing Damian Hubbard
In December 2022, Spivey was cast as Damian Hubbard in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Mean Girls, which itself is based on the 2004 film Mean Girls . The movie musical was released on January 12, 2024, and was a box office success, grossing over $104 million worldwide .
Talking to Teen Vogue about the role, Spivey praised the character’s confidence and refusal to be diminished. “It’s nice to step into a character who’s Black, plus-size, queer, and he takes no sh*t from anybody,” he said . “Damian is truly just that b*tch and he’s minding his business. If it’s drama, it’s drama around him, it doesn’t involve him. There’s nobody coming for his size. There’s nobody coming for his queerness. He’s not getting slammed in lockers and slushied like an episode of Glee. He has power in this space.”
He added: “Damian knows he’s a star. knows he’s that kid at school, so he doesn’t seek permission from anybody to be himself.” Spivey noted that past depictions of fat queer people were “not loud, and not too proud about much.” Damian, bold and unabashed, challenges that: “He’s just like, this is Damian Hubbard … these are the intersections of my life” .
Upcoming Projects: The Beauty, Queens of the Dead and More
Spivey has several exciting projects lined up for 2026 and beyond. He stars in The Beauty, a film scheduled for release in 2026 . also appears in Queens of the Dead, which is currently in post-production .
He has also appeared as a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show, where he discussed his career and the Mean Girls movie musical. His growing filmography demonstrates his versatility as an actor and his ability to transition from stage to screen successfully.
Personal Life: Identity and Representation
Spivey has been open about his identity as a queer, Black, plus-size performer. He credits the women in his family for giving him the confidence to embrace all aspects of who he is. In interviews, he has spoken about the importance of representation on stage and screen, and how characters like Damian Hubbard offer a new kind of role model for young people who have not traditionally seen themselves reflected in popular culture.
Quick Facts About Jaquel Spivey
- Born: November 13, 1998 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Age: 27 years old in 2026
- Education: Point Park University (BA in Musical Theatre, 2021)
- Occupation: Actor
- Known For: Usher in A Strange Loop (Broadway), Damian Hubbard in Mean Girls (2024)
- Tony Award Nomination: Best Actor in a Musical (2022)
- Drama Desk Award: Outstanding Actor in a Musical (2022) – Won
- Grammy Nomination: Best Musical Theater Album (2023)
- Upcoming Films: The Beauty (2026), Queens of the Dead (TBA)
Awards and Nominations at a Glance
What Critics Say About Jaquel Spivey
Critics have praised Spivey’s magnetic stage presence and vocal ability. His performance in A Strange Loop was described as a breakthrough, with reviewers noting his ability to carry the complex, meta-theatrical musical with charm, vulnerability, and power. In Mean Girls, he brought Damian to life with humor and heart, earning praise for his comedic timing and show-stopping musical numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jaquel Spivey? Jaquel Spivey was born on November 13, 1998. He is 27 years old in 2026.
What is Jaquel Spivey famous for? He is famous for his starring role as Usher in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical A Strange Loop, for which he received a Tony nomination. He also played Damian Hubbard in the 2024 Mean Girls movie musical.
What movies has Jaquel Spivey been in? He played Damian Hubbard in Mean Girls (2024). He will appear in The Beauty (2026) and Queens of the Dead.
Did Jaquel Spivey win a Tony Award? He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for A Strange Loop but did not win. He did win a Drama Desk Award for the same role.
Where did Jaquel Spivey go to college? He attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating with a degree in musical theatre in May 2021.
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