Lea Michele Reflects on Grieving Cory Monteith While Filming ‘Glee’
Lea Michele recently opened up about the difficult experience of grieving the death of her boyfriend and Glee costar, Cory Monteith, while still filming the musical show. In a candid conversation on the “Therapuss” podcast with host Jake Shane, Michele shared the challenges she faced during that time.
The actress recalled the emotional impact of hearing tour buses pass by her house in West Hollywood, playing songs from Glee, including her character Rachel Berry’s rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” These buses were part of a tour that passed by locations related to deceased celebrities, making the experience even more haunting for Michele.
At just 26 years old, Michele found herself navigating the overwhelming grief of losing Monteith, who tragically passed away in July 2013 due to a heroin and alcohol overdose. Despite the immense personal loss, Michele continued to show up for work on the set of Glee, feeling the pressure to keep the show running and support her colleagues.
The loss of Monteith deeply affected the dynamics among the Glee cast, with Michele noting that it both fractured relationships and brought some members closer together. She described feeling completely broken and overwhelmed by the situation, struggling to process the magnitude of the loss at such a young age.
Despite the challenges she faced, Michele expressed gratitude for the support she received from her coworkers and the Glee crew. She credited them with helping her through such a difficult time and providing a sense of stability and strength during the filming process.
Throughout the years, Michele has continued to honor Monteith’s memory, finding solace in paying tribute to him on the anniversary of his death. She has since found love again with her husband Zandy Reich, with whom she shares two children.
As Michele reflects on her journey of grief and healing, she remains grateful for the love and support that have sustained her through the loss of Cory Monteith and the challenges she faced while filming Glee.
