Biography

Annaleigh Amanda Ashford (born June 25, 1985) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She is known for her work on Broadway as Glinda in Wicked (2005–2006; 2007–08), and Margot in Legally Blonde (2007), as well as for originating the role of Lauren in Kinky Boots (2013–14), a performance for which she received a 2013 Tony nomination. Ashford won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as Essie Carmichael in the revival of You Can't Take It with You (2014–15). In 2017, she starred as Dot/Marie in the critically acclaimed, limited-run revival of Sunday in the Park with George. Additionally, she is known for portraying the role of Betty DiMello on the period drama television series Masters of Sex, which ran for four seasons on Showtime. In 2019, she starred as Jenny Aquila in Bad Education, and, in 2020, as Paula Jones in Impeachment: American Crime Story.