Lea Michele Archives - The Dishmaster

Quote of the Day — Lea Michele Talks About Cory Montieth’s Death

“It’s very hard. And you have to be very strong to come out of this alive, but I think by doing the best for myself, by showing that you don’t have to lose yourself, maybe someone else will feel some sort of strength or comfort.” Lea Michele talks to Elle Magazine about Cory Montieth’s death.

Glee’s Cory Montieth Tribute — A Moving Masterpiece

I stopped watching Glee a few seasons back. That’s not because the show lost its quality, I just simply grew out of it. But when Ryan Murphy announced a tribute episode devoted to Cory Montieth’s passing, I had to tune in. Though I didn’t know him personally, I felt connected to his story. I watch the Glee pilot, and I remember following Montieth’s career as he went from anonymity to fame with his humility intact.

The task of addressing a character’s death when they have also passed-on in real life seemed insurmountable. How can you address real-life events without exploiting them? How can you pull at the heart-strings of the audience without seeming like a vulture who has capitalized on someone else’s tragedy? Somehow — Ryan Murphy found a way. The episode was beautiful. There was no talk of how Finn Hudson died, which was a smart move. This was meant to be a celebration of life, and a moment to grieve, not a discussion of death. And in a move I never thought possible, there were moments of humor sprinkled throughout. Every song was more moving than the next, but Lea Michele quite obviously moved me the most. She was heartbroken and beautiful, singing, ‘Make You Feel My Love.’ As for the critics who have complained that Murphy dodged the opportunity to address the perils of drug use, this wasn’t the time. There might be a time, but this wasn’t it. I want to remember Cory for how he lived, and the art he produced during his short time on earth. Not how he died. Watch Lea Michele’s performance below.

Lea Michele‘s Tribute to Cory Montieth — Teen Choice Awards

This one made me cry. While accepting her Teen Choice Award for ‘Glee,’ Lea Michele spoke publicly for the first time since her late love’s passing, dedicating her award to Cory Montieth, and thanking her fans for their support. Watch her tearful tribute below.

Lea Michele Responds to Sarah Hyland — Admits She’s Humorless

Though I’ve heard from numerous inside sources in Hollywood that Lea Michelle isn’t exactly the “friendliest,” I generally try to give actors the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps my sources caught her in a bad mood or interacted with her at the end of an extremely long work day? But given Michele’s recent behavior toward Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland, I’m starting to believe these sources. When Highland hilariously made fun of Michele’s exaggerated red carpet poses for E!’s ‘Fashion Police,’ Michele refused to take the knock in stride, saying, “I gotta be honest. It hurt my feelings a little bit. I really think the message of today is that women should motivate and empower women . . . .” Call me insensitive, but I’m really sick of this “women should empower other women” line. First, it’s a jab disguised as the “high road.” Second, women will never empower other women. We are intrinsically catty, so no need to waste your breath on the vain hope for change. And lastly — when someone makes fun of you for something that you can control — it’s funny. Get a sense of humor and brush it off. Click the link below to watch the video in question.
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Ryan Murphy Cancels Glee Spin-Off — Blames His Actors

Has your poor behavior ever pissed someone off, yet their reaction is far worse than your original misstep? Such is the case with the consistently temperamental Ryan Murphy, the creator of Glee. Murphy isn’t pleased with his three key players, which includes Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Cory Montieth. In case you have not heard, Murphy announced to the press that Colfer, Michele, and Montieth would be “graduating,” thereby taking them off the show (or at least seriously reducing their services on the show). The press got wind, and said the actors had been “fired,” and Chris Colfer subsequently claimed to have found out about this news via twitter. Murphy wasn’t pleased about Chris’ claim, presumably because it made Murphy look like a heartless prick who talked to the press before notifying his actors. Predictably — Murphy is firing back — and I can only assume these actors are running for cover. According to Murphy, they knew all along, and he was even in talks to do a spin-off with them after Glee. They were therefore aware that they were leaving the show, and were not “fired via twitter.” As a result of their alleged misrepresentation, Murphy and the powers-that-be over at Fox have decided to punish them by nixing the spin-off. I have a few things to say about this. Ryan Murphy might need some anger management counseling. Second, Having said that, he’s still the creator of the show, which means it’s extremely disrespectful and stupid to publicly insult him. But why should Lea Michele and Cory Montieth be punished for what Chris Colfer said? They smartly kept their mouth shut. Should the entire class be punished for the actions of that one student who throws paper airplanes at the teacher?

Ryan Murphy Fires Lea Michele, Cory Montieth, & Chris Colfer — Negotiating Ploy?

There’s something suspicious about Ryan Murphy’s recent announcement that he’ll be letting go of his three choice players after Season 3 of Glee. First, all three actors are up for a contract renegotiation, and everyone knows that actors on a hit-show play hard-ball on Season 3 (remember Katherine Heigl’s Grey’s Anatomy debacle?). Second, they are three major stars, and despite Murphy’s proclamation that it’s the right creative choice, there is a huge risk of axing your primary series regulars. Does he seriously think that he can get three more unknown actors to duplicate the current lightning-in-a-bottle success of the show? All signs point to no. Third, what about Mark Salling? Why did he only announce that Lea, Cory, and Chris are leaving and neglect to mention Salling? Is it because Mark is less expensive, and Murphy knows he doesn’t require the same game of hardball? And lastly, the show barely tracked the years of its students, which means Murphy could easily stick to his real-time formula and keep these cast members on for two additional years (presuming they started as freshman). Instead, Murphy insists that “everyone knows they started as sophomores.” Really Mr. Murphy? I guess “everyone” doesn’t include The Dishmaster, because I was under the impression they all started as freshman, which gives them four years on the show — not three. His assumptions are certainly financially convenient — and suspicious.

Glee Does ‘Born This Way’ — Gets It Right

Perhaps it’s because I’m feeling extra emotional lately, but Glee’s most recent episode pulled on my heartstrings. The show’s theme was Lady Gaga’s song, Born This Way, and the story began with Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) wanting a nose job. In real life, Lea Michele has been very vocal about her opposition to changing her nose, and I’ve called her my personal hero because of it. I figure us big-schnozed Jews have to stick together, and it certainly helps when one of those schnozes is famous. Watch a clip from the show below to see Lea Michele and Dianna Agron sing a mash-up of Pretty/Unpretty.

Lea Michele Poses for Cosmo in Revealing Shirt — These Glee Kids Don’t Get It

Alright. I’m going to take a moment to explain to the stars of Glee why it is inappropriate to pose on the covers of sex-based magazines in shirts with plunging necklines. My problem is not that I’m prude (even though I am). The issue is that Glee is meant to appeal to kids, and the actors need to uphold the brand. I’d make the same argument if the star of a popular Kids comedy appeared as a guest star in Dexter. It hurts the brand. Sure, actors are real people with a career to maintain. They want life after Glee, and they are starting the transition process early. But it doesn’t matter. While getting paid your hefty episodic fee, keep your clothes on, and think twice before you make appearances that contradict the character you portray on television.

Dianna Agron on Glee GQ Photo-Shoot: “Everyone Else Does it”

Dianna Agron wrote a ridiculous apology on her blog, and it clearly proves that she still doesn’t understand the problem with the GQ photo-shoot. She apologizes and then says, “in the land of Madonna, Britney, Miley, ‘Gossip Girl,’ other public figures and shows that have pushed the envelope and challenged the levels of comfort in their viewers and fans… we are not the first.” I’m going to break this down for both Dianna, and for GQ Magazine, who defended their uncreative photographer by saying, “these ‘kids’ are in their twenties and should be able to “do what they want.” Here goes. The problem is not that Glee is a family show, and young children will be exposed to the magazine. The problem is that women in the entertainment industry are consistently sexualized by men, and yet they continue to pose nearly naked. Do you ever see Reese Witherspoon on the cover of a magazine in her underwear? She’s the only celebrity that has spoken out about her deliberate choice to keep her clothes on in photo-shoots. It isn’t necessary, and the next time the photographer comes up with the unoriginal idea, perhaps Lea Michele and Dianna Agron should stand up for themselves.

Dear Celebrities, Stop Asking Us To Focus on “More Important” Things

In response to the outrage over the Glee GQ cover, bad-boy Mark Salling said he thinks it’s “not a big deal,” because “people are starving,” and “there’s more important things to worry about in the world.” Can celebrities stop making this argument when trying to circumvent tabloid criticism? I’m fully capable of focusing on world peace and a slutty GQ cover at the same time. Isn’t it funny how much information my pea-sized-brain can actually handle? How about I focus on those things and stop watching Glee altogether (since that other stuff is so much more important)? The cover was gross and unnecessary. Accept responsibility and move on.