Key Takeaways:
- Unexpected Stardom: Lea Michele reveals her career on television with Glee was entirely unexpected, as her primary ambition was always to perform on Broadway.
- A Role Written for Her: The actress shared that series creator Ryan Murphy wrote the iconic role of Rachel Berry specifically for her after a chance meeting.
- Proud of the Past: Despite the massive and sometimes overwhelming experience, Michele is “proud” of her work on the hit musical series.
- Full-Circle Journey: She feels her time on Glee was a crucial part of a journey that eventually and fittingly led her back to Broadway with the revival of Funny Girl.
Actress Lea Michele recently took a look back at her career-defining role in the hit musical series Glee, reflecting on the sudden shift from her Broadway dreams to global television phenomenon. In a new interview with Glamour, the star opened up about the unexpected journey that made her a household name.
An Unexpected Path to Television
Before she was known to millions as the ambitious Rachel Berry, Lea Michele was a rising star on the Broadway stage, most notably in the rock musical Spring Awakening. However, her career took a sharp turn after a meeting with writer and producer Ryan Murphy.
“I never tried to be on television,” Michele, 39, confessed. She explained that she met Murphy while in Los Angeles during her Spring Awakening run, and he went on to create the character of Rachel Berry with her in mind.
“I never expected it,” she stated. “I only ever wanted to do Broadway, and then I was in California for 15 years.”
Reflecting on the ‘Glee’ Phenomenon
From 2009 to 2015, Glee was a cultural force, and Michele was at its center. The experience was transformative and intense. Looking back, she expressed pride in the work she accomplished on the show.
“I love Glee, I love Rachel Berry. I’m so proud of the work,” she said. “But nothing could really prepare anyone for what that experience was like—massive, and it occurred during your most memorable years.”
A Grateful Return to the Stage
After Glee concluded, Michele’s career path eventually led her back to her first love: the stage. Her celebrated run in the 2022 Broadway revival of Funny Girl was seen by many as a triumphant return to her roots, and Michele sees it as a destined part of her journey.
“I’m beyond grateful for that journey… and the fact that it was Funny Girl that really kind of solidified my return back to Broadway,” she shared. “It’s all connected.” Her journey illustrates a full-circle moment, from aspiring stage actress to global TV star and back to the bright lights of Broadway.