Keala Joan Settle was born on November 5, 1975, in Hawaii, to Susanne Riwai, of Maori descent from New Zealand, and British-born David Settle. She is the eldest of five children.
Settle graduated from Kahuku High School in 1993 and attended Southern Utah University. She made her Broadway debut in 2011 in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and later originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody in 2013.
For her performance in Hands on a Hardbody, Settle was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She also won the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway debut performance during the 2012-13 theatrical season.
Settle's other notable roles include Madame Thenardier in the revival of Les Misérables, Becky in the musical Waitress, Tracy Turnblad in the national tour of Hairspray, Bloody Mary in the national tour of South Pacific, and Mrs. Fezziwig in the Pioneer Theatre Company production of A Christmas Carol.
In addition to her stage work, Settle has also appeared in the musical film The Greatest Showman, where she played the role of Lettie Lutz, a bearded lady. The song "This Is Me" from the film, which she primarily sang, won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Settle has also released an extended play called Chapter One, which was released on December 22, 2017.
