Everytime I think of the most glowy, fabulous woman in a wheelchair I think of Ali Stroker. Armed with her gorgeous beach girl look (with a splash of Broadway chic), Ali made history last year becoming the first person in a wheelchair to be cast in a lead role in a professional musical, starring in The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee at the Paper Mills Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey.

Why she’s fearless

Injured when she was 2 years old in a car accident, Ali, now 24, is one of those people in wheelchairs who’s refused to think of herself as having any limitations just because she injured her spine, and I absolutely love her for it.

With her big lead role, Ali’s completely shattered the theater-acting glass ceiling for actors in wheelchairs; pulverized it, obliterated it, adios. Now thanks to her, there’s no excuse for any disabled actor to think anything is impossible when it comes to their career. Ali’s career upstroke was not only a boon for her, but a boon for thousands of other disabled actors. So great!

And to be completely girly for a second, she’s also one of the most fashionable woman in a wheelchair that I‘ve ever seen; which isn‘t hard of course with her long curly blonde hair and big Julia Roberts smile, but oh my does she know how to dress for her wheelchair. Stylish, perfectly fitted cropped jackets and mid-thigh dresses, making sure to pay attention to the shoulders…oh this girl has got it.

What’s next?

Since her break-out musical role, Ali is moving on to even bigger and more exciting things. She will be one of the featured 14 contestants on the upcoming Oxygen show, The Glee Project, a competition singing reality show returning for a second season and premiering June 5th. Good luck Ali, and kick (virtually) some reality show contestant butt!

Watch the video!

- Watch Ali’s interview for the The Glee Project

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