Actress Lea Michele is fielding a PR nightmare after nearly a dozen people have come forward to say that working with her was the stuff of nightmares.
It all started last week when Michele’s former Glee co-stars Samantha Ware, Amber Riley, and Alex Newell put her on blast for her cruel on-set treatment nearly a decade ago.
Ware accused Michele of making the show a “living hell” and “told everyone that if you had the opportunity you would ‘sh*t in my wig.’” Riley and Newell then both appeared to corroborate the accusations.
Related: Lea Michele apologizes for making ‘Glee’ set a “living hell,” loses sponsorship deal anyway
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Meanwhile, drag queen Willam said Michele treated him “subhuman” on the set of Glee, which ultimately prompted him to quit the show. Broadway actor Gerard Canonico called her a “nightmare” to work with in the 2006 Broadway show Spring Awakening. And Elizabeth Aldrich, who was Michele’s understudy for Ragtime on Broadway back in 1998, said she was “terrifying” even at 12 years old, calling her “mean” and “manipulative.”
“I used to cry every night,” Aldrich said.
And now come the extras.
Over the weekend, Us Weekly spoke to multiple sources who claim to have worked as background actors on Glee and they all agree that Michele was “rude” and “couldn’t be bothered” with anyone.
Imia Fleur Edwards regularly worked as an extra on the show in 2012. She says that Michele once burped in her face while on set, calling the incident “so bold and rude.”
“During one of the takes she walked really close to me and made this loud burp almost right in my face as she was passing by,” Edwards says. “She didn’t say ‘Excuse me’ or even acknowledge my presence. No eye contact, nothing.”
In fact, the only person to say anything was a nearby crew member who witnessed the belch.
“The other extras saw and a crew member as well,” Edwards says. “He reacted, ‘Wow, so sorry she did that.’”
Another time Edwards says Michele accidentally stepped on her foot and didn’t apologize.
“After that, I just figured this is someone with terrible manners or who could care less about others around her who she feels are ‘nobodies,’“ she remembers. “It was known on set that Lea kept her distance from extras and often rarely looked them in the eye.”
Another unnamed source who regularly worked on the show tells US Weekly that Michele liked to pretend like those around her were invisible.
“Lea would pass by an ignore the extras,” the insider says. “I saw other cast members mingling with extras and crew. She literally acted like I didn’t exist when I said hello to her. She didn’t even acknowledge me.”
The insider also recalls a time Michele brought cupcakes to set and “no one wanted to touch it.”
“One of the production guys asked who brought the cupcakes,” they add. “Someone said, ‘Lea did.’ The guy scoffed and walked away from it. At the end of the shoot, one of the crew members took a cupcake and gave it to me and said, ‘Take it. No one’s going to eat it.’”
And yet another insider says they witnessed Michele treat her fans like dirt.
“While they were waiting to film, a lot of the cast went outside and took pics with the fans,” the insider says. “Lea was outside and the fans were yelling for her and she didn’t bother to even wave her hand to the fans.”
Last week, Michele took to Instagram to issue an apology for her actions, saying, “I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people. Whether it was my privileged position and perspective that caused me to be perceived as insensitive or inappropriate at times or whether it was just my immaturity and me just being unnecessarily difficult, I apologize for my behavior and for any pain which I have caused.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-HatxlQ6h/?utm_source=ig_embed
LegionKeign
From kindergarten to 12th grade in high school I was terrorized. Punches, slaps, bites, being stabbed, set on fire, sexually assaulted and being humiliated. That is what I was worried about each time I stepped foot in school.
I wish someone had just called me names or was rude to me. I wish these kids and adults were just mean and made faces or burped in my direction.
My Goddess what a bunch of BABIES!
I am now a “take-no-shit” kinda guy, but I wish things had been so rough for me.
These folks have NO idea what being really bullied is about.
Lea Michele was and is a douche. But really name calling, a foot stomp and these sn*wfl*kes are whining.
Cam
So your takeaway in all of this is that the victims are the problem and that Lea Michele being an abusive nightmare was doing them a favor?
Chris
There will always be people who had it harder or easier than someone else. That doesn’t excuse her bahavior or the fact that it was rude, at best. Yeah, she’s a good singer, but she’s not all that and I guess someone forgot to tell her. Ok, so you were bullied in school. Many of us were. I lost a six figure job because someone found out I was gay. We have all had our issues. Sounds like you need to get some counseling and get past it.
ingyaom
Not waiving to fans, ignoring extras, burping, bringing cupcakes – this is not the “nightmare” “living hell” I was expecting to read here.
Cam
The multiple people who said she made their lives miserable so they were crying everyday is though.
Look at Wilam . He’s a drag queen in West Hollywood for god’s sake. He’s dealt with some of the bitchiest queens in the world and yet he quit and walked off after dealing with Michele.
That is extra level See You Next Tuesday actions.
Also, it’s interesting that they couldn’t find one person to defend her really. No friends, no celebs, etc… It sounds like the woman has literally caused everybody who has ever known her to hate her.
Brian
I’ve seen 2 people defend her so far, although one was the guy who played the principal who basically just said she wasn’t a bitch to him. The other guy played her boyfriend and said how great she was. He was probably just trying to get some publicity.
Cam
@Brian
I’m totally shocked that she was nice to the handsome white guy. 😉
mikeTigg
She’s so yesterday and career-wise so over, I can’t think why anyone would want to dredge up stories to prove what an unlikeable “see you next tuesday” she was or is.
justgeo
Always knew she is a C you Next Tuesday!
TonyPSP
Why is it that people can act this way and nobody calls them out? She was allowed to bring down the cast and crew with no consequences. This people uncharge let her get away with it.
Joe Dalmas
Little Neeley O’Hara. They drummed her right out of Hollywood so she came crawling back to Broadway. She’ll never be able to make these allegations disappear, they’re coming from all sides. She’s like a Mini Donald Trump, mean, malicious Narcissist who enjoys making others miserable. Her “fans” are deserting her in droves and nobody will want to work with her again, ever. Her career is pretty much over. It’s nudies from now on for her!
Brian
Yep. The one thing you can’t recover from is anything with even a tinge of racism. The only person who might hire her now is Ryan Murphy, but that would go against his uber woke brand.
ShiningSex
She’s ugly in every way. Not shocking. Cancel her career! oh wait, it has been canceled forever.
Tombear
Her idol is Streisand! Need I say more?
Tombear
Jonathan Groff Is her best friend and gay husband. He hasn’t said squat.
Cam
Best case scenario, he witnessed her behavior and let it go on.
HankHarris
or maybe birds of a feather
KellyRobinsonJr
OMG! Last week it was Ellen who was the devil, in disguise. Now it’s Leah… Who is it going to be next week?
Cam
Hopefully every single person that makes other people’s working lives hell.
controversial2019
To be fair, most leads in films, plays or TV shows don’t mingle with extras.
I ask, why should they?
In school, there were people who you were friends with and those you stayed away from.
At work, there are colleagues you talk to and others you avoid where possible.
If more prominent cast members want or like any of the extras, they’ll chat. If they don’t, they won’t. It’s no different to what we ALL do in life.
Also think of it like a business. How often, in business, does the CEO hangout in the canteen with the reception staff or post room people?
Yes, in some smaller companies you might get it, but in most, you don’t. Why would/should it be any different for actors?
Out and out ignoring a “hello” is rude, but how many times do we not hear people? Someone thinking about the lines for their next scene might be in their head and not hear a “hello”. The article says she burped AS SHE WALKED BY…so not at her. Grim? Yes. A direct attack? Seems not.
HankHarris
Except its not school, it is work. And there are plenty of examples of actors being exceedingly cordial to cast and crew.
Leash
Being polite is part of every job (and even outside of it). I don’t understand why she gets hired if everyone seems to know she is unpleasent to work with. She’s not THAT big of a name.
Brian
It’s one thing to be wrapped up in your own world. It’s another to treat people with contempt or as if it’s beneath you to even acknowledge that they exist. William used the word “sub-human” to describe her attitude toward him.
I’ve been on the receiving end of this before. I went to Beck’s house twice to get some paperwork signed, and in those 2 visits here said exactly 0 words to me. If you can’t be bothered to respond to a “hello” or “thank you”, you are the problem.
JanDivine
No matter who you are or what your job, if you can’t do your job without abusing those around you, you are in the wrong job. As true for the president as it is for the drug dealer.
Imjustsaying
“Meanwhile, drag queen Willam said Michele treated him “subhuman” on the set of Glee, which ultimately prompted him to quit the show.”
Is this guy wealthy? He can up a quit a job because someone wasn’t wasn’t treating him nice? Must be nice.
Brian
I don’t think you have to be wealthy to give up one day of pay.
Cam
Interesting that you deflect the post to attack a victim.
svustabler
Went to school with the assistant of her former agent. She said that Lea was a grade-A bitch on wheels who would call at 3AM in the morning and demand her come over to make her a smoothie.
ElPillo
Has queerty moved on to a new bitch target after Ellen? Please start focusing on positive things
ScottOnEarth
I’ve always read that she was a complete bitch but, what’s really interesting is that she’s basically a C-list actress, at best, and her claim to fame is ‘Glee.’ We’re not exactly talking about high levels of fame and success.
armandov
Let’s be honest. She is a NY Jew. I grew up in a suburb on long island that was at least 50% Jewish. Most Jewish women (And men) are not warm and fuzzy and are super pushy. It was only later in life, as an adult that I realized that even though these pushy, obnoxious Jewish women were not smarter than me, they get promoted quicker than anyone else b/c they were pushy and essentially bullied their way to the top.
Leash
Hm maybe it wasn’t their pushyness, maybe they were smarter than you.
Reread you comment and tell me that doesn’t sound anti-semetic to you. Exhibit a) You’re saying most jews are the same. That’s a generalisation and simply wrong. Exhibit b) You describe them as pushy and obnoxious, literally “bullying their way to the top” and by doing so feeding into the old as time stereotype of the greedy power-hungry jew. Not a cute look!
Cam
Gee what a shock, the Jewish people didn’t like a bigot.
trsxyz
Really no excuse for abusive behavior toward others. Glad she’s being held accountable. It’s been over a decade, so hopefully she’s matured and learned from her past mistakes.
TMBisAOK
MORE COME OUT AGAINST HER! Wow, reading that I thought what now!? “She burped in my face!” is really well, she burped when she walked by me. “She brought us cupcakes, but I’ll be damned if I’m gonna eat them!” Yah, what a bitch! How dare she bring cupcakes! ? And how dare she “ignore” fans! She is our slave and can’t have ANYTHING ELSE on her mind when we are present!? God, so much of this is sooooo petty, it really takes away from the serious accusations which now look like they might just be sour grapes and/or poor recollection made worse by time.
gary69mike
Was never really a fan of hers. I knew it was just a character she was playing but I felt as though life was imitating art. I was a little suspect of her relationship with Cory Monteith and his suicide. I really could never see the two of them as a couple.
RobF
Newsflash: Lea Michele is a BITCH, not a racist, which is how this rumor mill actually started! Move on, Gang!
Jame.Steph
One need only look at the career of Kathleen Battle; no other cautionary tale needed. Well, I suppose we may now add Lea Michele to that club. It is very unfortunate.
DuMaurier
This story started out bad, now it’s kind of turning into backstage gossip. Which is fun. I really like the 12 year-old monster story (short as it is on details); I’m picturing Lea in a puffy skirt and ringlets holding a giant lollipop, stamping her tap shoe and screeching for a bottled water that’s taking too long.
ShowMeGuy
Relax. it is all in the script.