The first time we met Alex Newell, he was one of the big standouts on The Glee Project, a reality TV competition where the winner would land a role on the hit show, Glee. While he was a runner-up, it was clear that Alex was a star and soon took the role as Wade "Unique" Adams, a male-to-female transgender high school who ended up being one of the glee club's big soloists. Following the end of the sitcom, Alex finally returned to his first love -- music. And the 22-year-old artist is making waves with his new single, "Keep It Moving," a slight departure from the power ballads we've gotten to know him for on Glee.

"I never stopped doing ballads, but definitely have been focusing on the dance first," Alex tells Myspace. "I’ll have some ballads coming after!"

Not only is he bringing his music to the forefront, Alex is also a big fighter in the LGBT community. "I think if you’re living this life, you should speak up and have a voice on these important issues," he explains.

Despite his efforts with The Trevor Project and the Human Rights Campaign, he doesn't necessarily call himself a role model. "I don’t think I’m a role model! Just a person some people look up to," he says.

Alex has a lot of big things coming in the new year including new music. But if there's one thing he's learned since stepping into the spotlight, it's that he's true to himself and isn't afraid to show it.

"I’ve learned that I like the things the way I like them – and I’m not afraid to try and get people to see things from my point of view," he says.

With the year he's had, we also asked Alex to lay out his best and worst moments of 2016. Read them below.

Best Moment of 2016: Touring with Adam Lambert

2016 Moment You'd Rather Forget: I mean, this year kind of sucked for everyone – can we say all?!

Best Gig You Played of 2016: Singing “Hero” for Mariah Carey at the GLAAD Awards in New York

2016 Show You Wish You Could Do Over: Singing for Mariah – I forgot two lyrics!

Best Concert You Saw in 2016: Coldplay

Most Awkward Show You Watched in 2016: Coldplay

Album on High Rotation in 2016: Beyoncé’s Lemonade

2016 LP You'd Like a Refund For: I’m all about those streaming subscriptions – so I’m good!

2016 Movie You'd Watch Over and Over: Florence Foster Jenkins

2016 Movie You Wish You Waited for on Netflix: Zoolander 2

TV Show You Binged on While on The Road This Year: The Crown

TV Show You Wouldn't Mind Seeing Cancelled Next Years: Rob & Chyna

Weirdest Touring Experience of 2016: Riding in a 15-person passenger van with people I had just met

Go-to Meal on the Road: Chick Fil A

Artist Who Should Be on Our 2017 Playlist: Eryn Kane

Best Fan Gift 2016: Money and alcohol!

Best Advice You Got in 2016: “Don’t fuck it up” - RuPaul

Motto You Live By: Live for yourself, because nobody else will do it for you

Plans for 2017: Moving to NYC!

2017 New Year's Resolution: To not be as petty

See your favorite artists' best and worsts of the year by visiting our 20 Questions page.