Wikia

	Lea Michele
Gender:	Female
Age:	26
Born:	29 August 1986
Character:	Rachel Berry
Occupation:	Actress, Singer
Years Active:	1995 - present

Lea Michele Sarfati (born August 29, 1986) is an American actress and singer. She portrays Rachel Berry on FOX's hit TV show, Glee. Lea has worked on the show for three seasons now and is currently portraying Rachel in the fourth season. She is the 7th member of the cast to announce that she is working on a solo album. On October 19th, 2012 she announced that she was in the studio recording her first song for her album. In an interview with Perez Hilton she said her album will have a lot of 'Kelly Clarkson' type ballads.

Personal life

Born in the Bronx, New York, Michele had no early ambition to be a singer. Her lucky break came when she tagged along with a friend to an open audition for a Broadway musical and as they say, fate stepped in. Michele was just eight when she landed her first Broadway role as Young Cosette in the New York production of Les Misérables. Three years later, Michele played The Little Girl in the original Broadway cast of Ragtime alongside Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. She later played Shprintze (u/s Chava) in Fiddler on the Roof and the title character in The Diary of Anne Frank.

However, it was her role as fourteen-year-old Wendla Bergman in the new musical Spring Awakening that changed her life. Nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Michele won rave reviews from both critics and audiences alike. While on the west coast, she went along to audition for some television pilots. The second one she read for was Glee, and she was instantly cast as high school vocal diva Rachel Berry. Making the transition from theatre to television, Michele has continued to wow fans with her powerhouse lead vocals. This young actress has been nominated for a two Golden Globe, and Emmy and a Teen Choice Award. She went on to win a Satellite Award in the Best Actress category, a People's Choice Award for favorite actress in a comedy and also shared a Screen Actors Guild award for an Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Child Star: Michele has virtually grown up onstage, making her Broadway debut at age 8 as Young Cosette in Les Miserables. Landing the role from an open call, the young actress has hardly stopped working since, going from Les Miz to the Toronto and Broadway companies of Ragtime, followed by a brief stint in high school ("It was my fun, normal time!" she quips) and then the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. "I've kinda had to grow up fast," Michele says frankly, "but it’s made me who I am. I have some awesome friends from high school, and I’ve also been able to work with people like Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell—I mean, come on! I wouldn’t change any of it. This is exactly where I want to be."

Sounds of Spring: Michele's journey with Spring Awakening began at 14 when she originated the role of Wendla in the first workshop. Since then, she's remained one of the only constants in the show's development. The other constant: Duncan Sheik's acclaimed contemporary rock score, which Michele declares she's "obsessed" with. "I was raised on the classic Broadway shows, but there’s another side of me that's listening to Kelly Clarkson and rockin' out to pop music," she says. "That's the amazing thing about this show—the way that I grew up listening to Alanis Morissette's Ironic or the way that girls blast Since U Been Gone is the same way you can blast Bitch of Living or Don't Do Sadness. There's a song in Spring Awakening for every single kid out there going through all of the issues of growing up. That's why I'm most proud to be part of this show."

Baring It All: Michele has some of the most intense moments in Spring Awakening, including a controversial sex scene at the end of Act 1. Michele's character Wendla ends up topless onstage as she and costar Jonathan Groff's character Melchior explore their sexuality for the first time. "People like to focus on that scene," she says. "I always get questions like 'How does it make you feel? How do your parents feel?' You know what? It's a sex scene. It's risky, but I am so comfortable working with [co-star] Jonathan Groff. He makes it easy for me." She's quick to point out that every cast member gets a moment to bare their souls onstage before the end of the show: "I don't consider [the sex scene] any more challenging or intense or risky than anything anyone else does on the stage," she explains. "Everyone is putting themselves out there."

Eponine or Wendla?: Michele faced a dilemma most young actresses would dream of—whether to play Eponine in the revival of Les Miserables (she was cast during rehearsals for Spring Awakening's off-Broadway run) or follow Sheik and company uptown. "I can't express to you how much I love Les Miz," she says. "I grew up with it. It will always be important to me. But after working on Wendla for six years, I felt I owed it to her and myself and the creative team to take this next step." She remains hopeful of getting another chance to sing "On My Own" one day. "Maybe they'll revive it a third time. Why not?" she says with a smile. Role Model: Asked about her dream roles, the sprightly young actress speaks first of her favorite leading lady. "I'm such a fan of Idina Menzel!" Michele exclaims. "I think she's made a wonderful career in this business. I love her so much, and any role she's played, I'd love to be able to follow in her footsteps." Indeed, the "L" word becomes a refrain when Michele talks about her future onstage. "I love the theater!" she says with joy. "I'd love to be able to play all different roles, whether it's Maureen in Rent or Maria in West Side Story. I would just love to be involved in this business forever."

Lea landed her first movie role with New Year's Eve (2011) and Dorothy of Oz (2012). The movie (New Year's Eve) Lea's role

of Elise, who is back up singer for Jon Bon Jovi. With Dorothy of Oz, it is an upcoming computer-animated film based on the book by Roger Stanton Baum by the same name, Lea will be playing the title role of Dorothy Gale.

Lea guest mentored on the Season Two's premiere of The Glee Project.

Lea is currently dating her Glee co-star, Cory Monteith.

Quotes

"But as far as doing more television, I don't think that will be something I'll do unless it were some sort of continuation of playing Rachel Berry, because I think she's the greatest character ever."
"When we're doing the serious stuff, I'm like, 'Oh, let's get back to the comedy,' and when we're doing comedy, we crave more of those dramatic story lines. But I think it's so equally balanced on the show that I feel satisfied. I did every sort of tragic Broadway musical possible -- I died, I had abortions, I was poor, I was an immigrant. ... Thankfully, Glee came along because I just couldn't do the tragedies anymore."
"I remember looking up to Barbra Streisand in high school, and told myself 'Finally, Jewish singer who didn't get a nose job'"
(during her audition for Glee) That wasn't supposed to be funny. That was my serious moment. Now I'm going to do it again and I want you all to cry.
(at an interview) "Listen, my father has offered Jonathan millions to marry me, right Jonathan?"
"Cory is such a goofball. I swear to God, that kid can make me laugh."
(about the sex scene) "When Cory and I were doing our scene, the crew came up to us and they were like, 'Look. We just want you to know that Darren and Chris were really hot. They went for it,' So I was like, 'Listen, Monteith. We've got to do better than them. We've got to turn these people on! And we have to top those boys!' Poor Cory. But it was great. It really was."
"Broadway is the air that I breathe."
(on her career aspirations) "I plan on playing every role on Broadway."Added by Quam&QuickShipper
"If anyone tells me I can't eat, then I'm going to tell them to you-know-what themselves."
(On the sex scene in Spring Awakening) "It wasn't until I came back to see the show that I was like, 'Oh my god. I did that every single night.' I was sitting next to people and I was like, 'Cover your eyes! Cover your eyes!'"
The first song I ever sang was “Angel of Music,” and I haven’t stopped singing since.
"I'm such a huge Radiohead fan. I wanted to make sure we kept the integrity of this incredible band." -Lea on singing Creep by Radiohead for Glee.
"My personal style couldn’t be any further from Rachel’s. I am very comfortable, casual, and simple, and Rachel Berry is just Rachel Berry."
"Never be afraid to sing out."
"Don't forget to hug your friends today."
"I've always been proud of my body. Hollywood's Hollywood, but that's not going to change."

Film and television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1998	Buster and Chanucey's Silent Night	Various characters
2000	Third Watch	Sammi	1 episode
2008	Around the Block	Herself	Pilot
2009–present	Glee	Rachel Berry	Lead role
2010	The Simpsons	Sara (Voice)	"Elementary School Musical" (Season 22, episode 1)
2011	The Cleveland Show	Rachel Berry	How Do You Solve a Problem Like Roberta? (Season 2 Episode 11)
2011	New Year's Eve	Elise	First Movie Role
2012	The Glee Project	Herself	Mentor
2012	Dorothy of Oz	Dorothy Gale (voice)

Social Network Links

Lea Michele's Twitter - @msleamichele

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Result	Notes
2007	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Actress in a Musical	Nominated	Spring Awakening
	Broadway.com Audience Award	Favorite Leading Actress in a Broadway Musical	Won
		Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance	Won
		Favorite Onstage Pair (with Jonathan Groff)	Won
2008	Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album	Original Broadway Cast, including Lea Michele	Won	Spring Awakening
2009	New York Television Festival Award	Best Nonscripted Host or Star	Won	Around the Block
	Teen Choice Award	Choice TV Breakout Star	Nominated	Glee
	Satellite Award	Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy Television Series	Won
2010	Golden Globe Award	Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical	Nominated
	Screen Actors Guild Award	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series	Won
	NewNowNext Award	Brink of Fame: Actor	Won
	Teen Choice Award	Choice TV Actress: Comedy	Nominated
	Teen Choice Award	Choice Music: Group (with Glee Cast)	Nominated
	Gold Derby TV Award	Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series	Nominated
	Emmy Award	Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series	Nominated
	PETA's 30th Anniversary Gala and Humanitarian Awards Award	Honor	Won	Glee
	Billboard's Women in Music Triple Threat Award	Honor	Won
	Glamour Woman of the Year Award	US TV Actress of the Year	Won
	Satellite Award	Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy Television Series	Nominated	Glee
2011	Golden Globe Award	Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical	Nominated	Glee
	Screen Actors Guild Award	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series	Nominated
	Grammy Award	Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (Don't Stop Believin')	Nominated
	Grammy Award	Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media	Nominated
2012	People's Choice Award	Best Actress in a Comedy Series	Won	Glee
2012	Do Something Award	TV Star: Female	Won	Glee
2013	People's Choice Awards	Best Actress in a Comedy Series	Won	Glee

Trivia

She's a soprano.
Her vocal Range: 2 Octaves 6 notes and a semitone.
She is Jewish on her father's side, but was raised Catholic.
Was roommates with co-star Dianna Agron for less than 6 months and Jenna Ushkowitz stayed with Lea in New York when they both got the call about Glee being picked up for 13 episodes.
She is good friends with her former Spring Awakening co-star Jonathan Groff.
She was awarded at the People's Choice Awards 2013 as Favorite Comedic TV Actress.
Broadway fans also wished for the role of Rachel's biological mother to be played by fellow Broadway singer and legend Idina Menzel straight from the show's first episode due to their uncanny similar appearance. Lea and Idina had met through Broadway before and Idina is one of Lea's idols. Lea has said that she has been told her entire life how much she looks like Idina, who is also a fellow New Yorker.
She wants to do Sweeney Todd and Wicked with co-star Chris Colfer.
She only wakes up once she has had coffee, which she loves.
She once had a bumpersticker that said CHEERIOS on her car.
She was home-schooled for one year while she lived in Toronto, performing in the original cast of Ragtime.
She is 5’3". 5'4" on a good day.
Her mom Edith gave up her career of nursing to support hers.
She went to Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey.
She was raised in Bronx, NY and Tenefly, NJ.
She dated actor Theo Stockman. They broke up in the September of 2011.
Her favorite song to record was Don't Rain on My Parade and favorite duet was Faithfully.
Her favorite song by Barbra Streisand is My Man.
She wants a quaint house, a husband, a stable job, a pet or two and a few kids before she dies.
Cory Monteith was the one who gave her a Twitter account and her twitter name @msleamichele. He actually put Rachel Berry as her password but Lea changed it.
Has 12 tattoos. A gold star for Rachel, 'I Believe', a song from Spring Awakening in teal ink on her right wrist, a butterfly on her back for her mom, another butterfly on her foot for her cousins, a tattoo on her left hand side (her left rib - a cross and "My Angel Now") in memory of her deceased grandfather, two music notes from Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on her right shoulder, and a tattoo with the word "Imagine" that Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz also have. On July 16, 2011, Lea Michele announced that she got 2 new tattoos, 1 out of the 2 can only be identified, but the other one remains unknown. One of her latest ones is "Our city, our love." on her foot, which was later altered.
Before her audition for Glee, she rented a car and ended up in a car crash minutes before her audition. She ditched the car on the side of the road and ran to her audition. She had chunks of glass stuck in her hair, but was not injured.
She got accepted to Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, but opted instead to continue working professionally on the stage.
She said if she wasn't an actress, she would be a lawyer.
On her twitter, she said that her favorite things to do when she's not working is: watch any show on Bravo, cook, go on a hike, talk to her family, and hang with her friends.
She said on Twitter that she would LOVE to make her own album one day, and she's hoping to do that in the near future.
She has wide vocal range. Her range is Eb3(Give your heart a break)-D6(the beggining of the Diva episode)In an interview, she revealed she is a belter and soprano. Although, most of the time she is mixed up to be a Mezzo-soprano.
Has belted an A5 during Halo/Walking on Sunshine.
Her dream Broadway roles are: Eponine (Les Mis), Eva Perón (Evita), and Elphaba (Wicked).
She would love to perform with Barbra Streisand or Celine Dion one day.
Her favorite song to perform in the 2011 Glee Live! tour is Happy Days Are Here Again/ Get Happy with Chris Colfer.
Her favourite soupflavour is lentil.
She taught Mark Salling how to speak gibberish.
Her parents are named Marc and Edith Sarfati.
She attended Rockland Country Day School in New York.
She stated that "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat is her and Jonathan Groff's song.
She stated that while she and Jonathan were in Spring Awakening, their nicknames were "Mom and Dad". Then one day she went into a cab and told Jonathan "Bye Dad!" and the cab driver overheard and asked her "Is he really your dad?"
Was once pranked by Chris Colfer in an interview.
She meditates, which she expresses it's good for the soul.
Her favorite movie is "Almost Famous".
Her favorite book at one time was is "Girl with the Pearl Earring".
Her favorite color is purple with a hint of lentil.
She once had a dog; a Yorkshire Terrier named Mia.
She said (before the end of Season 1) that if she had to bet if Rachel would end up with Jesse, Finn, or Puck, it would have to be Jesse. Although, in the end of the Season 1, Finn ended up with Rachel. Source
She slapped Robert Ulrich (Glee's casting director) in the face for her audition for Glee. The original script was for her to slap Finn, but since Finn wasn't there she slapped Robert Ulrich. Source
For the Lady Gaga Bad Romance dance number, she got injured, hence a floor-length dress to a special occasion, since she stated her injury was the size of a Golf Ball.
She can not play an instrument.
Was the first Glee cast member to reach 1 million followers on twitter.
Added by DiannaAgron xo
Before she warms up, she drinks luke-warm water, mixed with lemon juice and honey. (As seen in the Glee Live! 3D Movie)
Her audition song for Spring Awakening is "I Don't Know How To Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar (which she first sang when she was only 14 years old).
Her personalised workout is a free app on iTunes called Nike Training Club where she goes through her workout and does it with you.
Cory once played a prank on Lea. He told Lea that she accidently scratched his car with her car, but the scratch on Cory's car was actually a sticker. When he peeled it off, Lea was holding a sandwich and threw the sandwich at him.
She loves organic wine and dark chocolate.
During Spring Awakening she had a proposal from a random guy and she told him she had a boyfriend and the guy replied: Isn't Jonathan Groff gay? Source
Lea performed four times at the Tony's. First for Ragtime in 1998, in 2004 for Fiddler on the Roof, in 2007 with Spring Awakening and once again in 2010.
She's the only cast member who has trouble understanding Damian McGinty's accent. Damian reported that before he left for Ireland, Lea understood him better.
Nearly hit Jon Bon Jovi with her car.
The piano player for glee messed up her audition song. And she thought she wasn't gonna get the lead. But, was actually doing things very Rachel Berry.
Has a Scar/Dent on her forehead usually covered by her bangs.
She named her first car after Kylie Minogue.
Number 13 on Maxim Hot 100 List. Source
The Glee Cast voted her the cast member with "Best Hair."
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Ryan Murphy described Lea Michele saying that "She's a once-in-a-generation voice and Broadway talent, in the tradition of Streisand and Patti Lupone."
She named her cats after characters from Hair- Claude and Sheila.
One of Lea Michele's cats: Sheila
Added by DiannaAgron xo
Is number 10 on both AfterEllen's 2011 Hot 100 and AfterEllen's 2012 Hot 100. Is number 16 on AfterEllen's 2010 Hot 100.
Her favorite Rachel Berry outfit is Rachel's Prom dress in Prom-asaurus.
Her favorite Glee episode is New York.
Wants to learn Spanish.
Wants to go to Brazil.
Has been acting since she was 8 years old.
Was asked by a fan to sign their body.
The first concert she's ever been to was Madonna.
Is a fan of Game Of Thrones.
When she was younger,the scariest movie she's ever watched was E.T.
She has known Jenna since she was 8.
Blake's, Samuel's, and her birthdays are on August 27, 28, and 29.
Said she would like to be in Wicked and has duetted on the show with both of the original leads of the show (Maybe This Time with Kristen Chenoweth and I Dreamed a Dream, Poker Face, Next To Me, and Somewhere with Idina Menzel)
She appeared on the Ellen Show on October 2, 2012.
Her fans are called Leanatics
In October 2012, a rumour started to spread about Lea being pregnant, however, she tweeted about it being false.
Started on broadway when she was only eight.
She sang My Man live while Barbra Streisand watched her.
She loves to shock people.
Her favorite celebrity is Angelina Jolie.
Her fave shops are Betsey Johnson, Intermix, and Barney's.
She booked her first Broadway show on April 6th which was Les Mis.
Natalie Imbruglia, the original singer of Torn, stated that she loved Lea's cover of the song and thinks she'll be successful in which ever career she chooses.
Currently in a relationship with Cory Monteith