Birth Name: Lea Michele Sarfati
DOB: 29 August 1986
Starsign: Leo
Better known as Rachel Berry, the socially awkward lead singer in hit musical-comedy Glee, Lea Michele is our new favourite triple threat in a school uniform. With raw talent and a background in Broadway musical, it’s no wonder this girl sends shivers down our spine every episode!
Before Glee
Lea has been singing, dancing and acting since she was 8 years old, when she first scored the role of Young Cosette in Les Miserables. Her other childhood stints on the stage included Ragtime and Fiddler on the Roof. When she turned 14, she found herself thrown into the limelight on Spring Awakening, an intense Broadway musical with a highly controversial sex scene. “I’ve kinda had to grow up fast, but it’s made me who I am… I wouldn’t change any of it. This is exactly where I want to be” Michelle says.
Lea got lucky after Ryan Murphey, the Casting Director of Glee, decided to abandon traditional casting calls in favour of scouting fresh talent from the live theatres of New York. Before her big break, Lea’s super supportive Mum left a career as a nurse to support Lea and drive her to auditions. When she wasn’t performing on stage, Lea earned a bit of cash on the side as the vacuum girl in a Bat Mitzfah dress shop. (Who knew?!)
What you might not know about Lea
… is that she’s a full-on vegetarian and animal activist. Since shooting to stardom in 2009 with Glee, Lea has used her It-Girl status to promote awareness about the inhumane treatment of animals in fur trade and meat industries. Lea recently teamed up with PETA (the Protection and Ethical Treatment of Animals) to remind people about the hidden cruelties our helpless furry friends suffer everyday. Lea has two cats of her own, Claude and Sheila, who keep her company in her LA apartment.
Why do we love her?
Lea is one of those rare A-listers with a compassionate heart and biting personality. A bit of a nerd at heart, she identifies with her character Rachel, as she draws on her own experiences in the “least cool of the cool kids” group in High School. Lea represents the new brand of geek chic, combining uber-talent and nerdy-ness in a way that makes us wanna run out and buy a pair of knee-high socks and join the school choir.
Despite her newly found fame Lea is still way down to earth with normal hobbies and interests. She says her mum is her role model and best friend, and when she’s not belting out a tune for television or the stage, she likes to find time to cook.
Fast Facts
- She has a huge crush on HSM star Zac Efron
- She loves coffee and sushi (obviously of the non-meat variety)
- She watches The Biggest Loser every week
- Her fave shopping destinations are Betsey Johnson, Intermix and Barney’s
- She has seven tattoos, including “I believe” on her wrist
- Her favourite celebrity is Angelina Jolie
Lea on Glee:
“You know, you have great shows on TV that I love and watch like Gossip Girl and 90210 that serve their purpose, but this is a show for the majority of what kids actually look like in high school, you know, not everybody looks like Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen. I'd like to, but, you know, I don't. This is for the normal high school student who doesn't live on Park Avenue."
Got something to say about Lea or Glee? Leave your thoughts below!
