Lea Michele replaced Beanie Feldstein in 'Funny Girl,' and now a new documentary, 'The Price of Glee,' explores behind-the-scenes display drama.
Actress and singer Lea Michele rose to status in 2009 on Fox’s musical drama, Glee. For six seasons, she played Rachel Berry, a Lima, Ohio teenager with Broadway ambitions. Throughout Rachel’s run, enthusiasts watched her obsess over her occupation, her courting with Finn Hudson (played by means of her real-life boyfriend on the time, Cory Monteith), and Barbra Streisand.
In the display, Rachel sought after to play one of the track legend’s most memorable roles: Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. In Glee’s ultimate season, Rachel in any case completed her dream of taking part in Fanny on Broadway. Like Rachel, Lea dreamed of portraying Fanny Brice. Then, in July 2022, her dream also got here true, as it was announced that she would take over the role from Beanie Feldstein.
Needless to say, drama ensued, and stories of her old conduct toward her co-stars on Glee were ward off into the spotlight.
Now, a new three-part documentary, The Price of Glee, explores the plagued production and behind-the-scenes tensions that had been stirring at the back of what used to be one of the hottest presentations on TV when it aired. Here, we’re explaining why such a lot of people hate Lea Michele.
Why do people hate Lea Michele? She received backlash for alleged racist and narcissistic habits on 'Glee.'
Since leaving Glee, Lea has gained an important following on her social media platforms. So, when the video of George Floyd’s murder by way of police surfaced online, she expressed her strengthen for him and the Black Lives Matter movement. While the actress to begin with gained reward for her remark, her former Glee co-star, Samantha Ware, didn’t appreciate the gesture. Samantha accused Lea of creating her time on Glee “a living hell,” which she said nearly made her surrender performing.
According to Samantha, Lea made a number of “aggravating microaggressions,” including telling another castmate she wanted to “s--t” in Samantha’s wig.
Following Samantha’s claims, several more Glee actors accused Lea of relating to the Black background dancers as “roaches.” Additionally, Heather Morris, who performed Brittney S. Pierce at the show, deemed her "unpleasant to work with.”
In June 2020, Lea released a statement saying she never met to offend anyone on Glee’s set and apologized to her co-stars. However, for some, the damage was already done.
Soon, plans to cancel Lea surfaced, and she lost multiple brand endorsements. Following her June 2020 apology, Lea seemingly kept a low profile. That August, she gave birth to her first child with her husband, Zandy Reich — a son named Ever. She also frequently posts on Instagram but now limits her comments after the Glee controversy.
In The Price of Glee, the late Naya Rivera's father claims that Lea Michele and his daughter "hated each other." Actor Dabier Snell, who appeared in one episode of the show, claims that when he tried to sit with the cast at lunch on set, he was told by someone on set that a cast member didn't want him to sit with them because they didn't feel like he "belonged with the remainder of the crowd." He guessed (correctly) that it was Lea who made that request.
Lea Michele’s 'Glee' co-stars reacted to ‘Funny Girl’ casting.
Lea’s name made headlines after Beanie Feldstein landed the role of Fanny Brice on Broadway. Many were aware it was a dream role for Lea but felt she didn’t deserve to play her dream character after what she reportedly did to Samantha and her other co-stars.
However, in July 2022, Beanie released a statement explaining her decision to step down as Fanny, and the show’s team hired Lea to take her place beginning on Sept. 6, 2022.
“A dream come true is an understatement,” Lea wrote about the opportunity on Instagram. “I’m so incredibly honored to join this amazing cast and production and return to the stage playing Fanny Brice on Broadway. See you September 6th.”
Lea’s announcement received praise from multiple celebrities on Instagram, including Julianne Hough and Brad Goreski. Samantha, however, slammed the casting choice. Samantha took to Twitter and accused Broadway of overlooking Lea’s alleged bullying and racism.
Yes, I’m online today. Yes, I see y’all. Yes, I care. Yes, im affected. Yes, I’m human. Yes, I’m Black. Yes, I was abused. Yes, my dreams were tainted. Yes, Broadway upholds whiteness. Yes, Hollywood does the same. Yes, silence is complicity. Yes, I’m loud. Yes, I’d do it again.
— SAMEYA (@Sammie_Ware) July 11, 2022On Sept. 6, Lea Michele made her Funny Girl debut in NYC. However, only one of her Glee co-stars, Jonathan Groff, went to see her perform. While Lea's take on the role has received praise since her debut, it's clear her former cast members are still traumatized by their experiences with her.
In October 2022, Chris Colfer appeared on Sirius XM’s “The Michelle Collins Show.” When Michelle asked Chris if he would support Lea on Funny Girl while in New York, he replied, “Oh, my day just suddenly got so full,” confirming that he never had plans to see Lea. Then, Chris added more shade against his former on-screen frenemy.
“No, I could be triggered at home,” he declared.
The Price of Glee has been characterized by at least one pop culture writer as a "hit piece" focusing mostly on Lea Michele, and some, including cast member Kevin McHale, have expressed skepticism concerning the doc, which doesn't interview any major forged members. Do with that data what you'll!
Either way, Lea Michele is and most likely will endlessly be a slightly contentious figure, especially for many who have labored along with her.
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