Isaac Powell has star power that can’t be taught. Whether he’s belting on Broadway, stealing scenes on television, or smoldering for the camera in a Palomo Spain coat, Powell carries himself with that elusive blend of classic movie-star looks and undeniable charm. The 29-year-old North Carolina native isn’t just a performer, he’s becoming Hollywood’s new leading man, with the talent and face to back it up.
Training, Talent, and a Face Made for the Spotlight
Powell grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, craving independence and finding it on stage. He trained at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where professors quickly saw he had more than just good genes. During and after school, he began stacking credits, Legally Blonde, Newsies, Mamma Mia!, and lead role in Nikola Tesla Drops the Beat. His voice, presence, and undeniable charisma set him apart.
Broadway soon took notice. In the 2017 revival of Once on This Island, he delivered a heartfelt solo that critics praised as “quietly sensitive” and “the most poignant moment in this revival.” His silvery vocals paired with natural magnetism turned heads, not just in theatre, but in fashion. Palomo Spain and NIHL put him on their New York Fashion Week runways, while publications like W and Hello Mr. featured him prominently.
Powell laughs about his accidental modeling career, saying he was “basically shooting all the gay publications,” but it wasn’t just because he’s photogenic, he has presence. His camera work led to a contract with New Pandemics, expanding his visibility beyond the stage.
From Broadway’s Tony to Hollywood’s Next Big Thing
In 2019, he landed the role of Tony in director Ivo van Hove’s West Side Story revival. His performance reinforced what casting directors were already whispering: Powell could lead anything. Hollywood soon caught up. In 2020, he made his feature film debut in Universal’s adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, playing Rhys, a newly created character for the film.
Television followed, with Powell appearing in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story: Double Feature and American Horror Story: NYC, bringing intensity, vulnerability, and heat to every scene. Now, he’s flexing his comedy muscles in HBO’s The Franchise, playing Bryson, an assistant managing the chaos of a disastrous superhero production.
Jay Gatsby, Florence Welch, and the Next Act
This summer, Powell stepped into one of literature’s most suave and emotionally complicated roles, Jay Gatsby. Florence Welch’s musical adaptation, Gatsby: An American Myth, gave Powell a spotlight that perfectly merged his vocal power, stage presence, and that beautifully enigmatic aura. Welch noted the show’s emotional depth, and Powell became its heartbeat.
After performing Gatsby, filming The Franchise, then returning to Gatsby again, he finally took a breath, traveling through Europe, hiking, swimming, and unplugging from the industry grind.
Beyond the Beauty
Powell has always been candid about his journey. He came out at 16 and later entered a long-term relationship with Broadway actor Wesley Taylor. They were engaged in 2019 and parted ways in 2021, but Powell remains open about his experiences as a gay performer carving space in mainstream entertainment.
He’s now preparing for what he hopes will be his next step, a true leading role in film.
“I’m ready to lead a movie,” he says. At this point, Hollywood might just be ready for him too.
