Latest news with #CoryMonteith
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Original stars of Glee today – from tragic death to surprising new lives
When Glee hit screens in 2009, it became a global sensation. From tragic losses to award-winning success, here's where the original cast members are now, nearly a decade after the show ended When Glee burst onto our singing onto our screens in 2009, it became a cultural staple. Mixing bops with teenage drama and memorable characters. The show introduced a talented cast who won hearts all over. But where are those stars now? Some have faced tragic losses, others have forged new careers, and a few have stepped away from the spotlight altogether. From Cory Monteith's heartbreaking death to Darren Criss's award-winning success, the journeys of the Glee cast since the show ended in 2015 have been as varied as the series itself. Let's take a look at what the original cast members are doing today since their days at William McKinley High. Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) Cory Monteith's death in 2013 shocked fans and the entertainment world. The actor, who played the football captain turned glee club leader Finn Hudson, was found dead from a drug overdose at the age of just 31. Cory's passing highlighted the darker side of fame and addiction, and his absence was deeply felt both on set and among fans. Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) Lea Michele's rise from Glee's ambitious lead to an established Broadway actress has been well documented. After starring in productions such as Funny Girl, Lea's focus has shifted in recent years towards her personal life. She married businessman Zandy Reich in 2019 and welcomed her first child in 2020. Lea has described motherhood as 'the greatest blessing". She continues to perform. Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones) Amber was initially rejected by American Idol before landing her breakthrough role on Glee. Riley once refused a scene where Mercedes lost her virginity, saying it didn't fit her character's devout Christian beliefs. Since the show, she's won an Olivier Award for Dreamgirls on the West End, triumphed on The Masked Singer, and starred in The Preacher's Wife musical. Darren Criss (Blaine Anderson) Darren Criss, the charming Blaine Anderson, has gone from Glee favourite to critically acclaimed actor. He's one of the biggest breakout stars from the cast, earning an Emmy, Golden Globe and more for his chilling portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in Ryan Murphy's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Darren also continues to work in theatre and television. Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester) As the well-meaning glee club teacher, Will Schuester, Matthew Morrison won the audience's hearts. Since Glee, he has remained active in theatre and music, with appearances in Broadway shows and TV roles. Naya Rivera (Santana Lopez) Naya Rivera's death in 2020 was a devastating blow. The actress and singer, best known for her role as Santana Lopez, tragically drowned while boating with her son. Naya had worked steadily in TV and film since Glee and was also known for her advocacy work. She is fondly remembered by both the cast and fans. Kevin McHale (Artie Abrams) Kevin McHale, who played the wheelchair-bound Artie Abrams, has moved into producing and directing after Glee. While he occasionally returns to performing, much of his recent work has been behind the camera. Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester) Jane Lynch's sharp-tongued cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, became an iconic Glee character. Since the show's end, Jane has built a strong career in comedy, hosting game shows like Hollywood Game Night, narrating series such as The Weakest Link, and appearing on shows regularly, including Only Murders in the Building. She also returned to Broadway in 2022 to star alongside Lea Michele in Funny Girl. Many other original cast members have gone on to varied careers, some in acting and music, others stepping back from the public eye. Though the series ended nearly a decade ago, Glee 's impact remains undeniable. It launched careers and delivered anthems that are still to this day played on loop.
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘My publicist will want to cut this': Lea Michele shocks with reveal
Lea Michele has revealed a mortifying story about how her home turned into a 'Hollywood tragedy' tourist attraction after Cory Monteith died. The US actress, 38, recently sat down with Jake Shane for an episode of his Therapuss podcast, where she opened up about the premature death of her then-boyfriend and Glee co-star in 2013. Michele, who was at the peak of her fame playing Rachel Berry on the hit Fox series, was living in the heart of Los Angeles in West Hollywood when she would hear a bus tour guide pull up outside her house, talking in graphic detail about Monteith's death to a group of people alongside 'eerie' music. 'There was a tour bus that used to drive by my house … My publicist will probably want to cut this,' Michele began. She continued, 'But it was the tour of people that have died. And after everything happened, this bus would come by, it was like the you know, 'Hollywood tragedy' tour bus. 'Here I was, 26 years old, and this tour bus would go back by my house. Every day I would hear these are the details and eerie music would be playing from the tour bus and there I was just at home.' Michele paused, looking to the audio team in the room filming the interview. 'Everyone should see the shocked faces of everyone behind the camera,' she laughed. Michele, who described the period of her life as 'so sad and so, so depressing', said the confronting intrusion eventually prompted her to relocate to the Pacific Palisades area higher up in the hills. The performer, now a mother of two, began dating Monteith in February 2012, with the pair still together at the time of his death aged 31 in July 2013. Asked whether the cast of Glee banded together in the wake of Monteith's passing, Michele simply responded, 'No.' The Funny Girl star's reputation copped a beating in 2020 when her co-star Samantha Ware publicly accused Michele of making her life a 'living hell' when they worked together, as several other Glee stars coming forward with similar stories. Michele didn't reference the backlash she faced, but did admit to struggling with heartbreak at the time. 'I think it [Monteith's death] really fractured so much,' she said. 'I mean, again, I can't speak for everyone. I think that maybe in some ways it did for certain people. 'For me, it was so hard. I just completely broke. I was in a really one-track mind of just doing my job. 'It was way too much to try to process at such a young age, but I'm very grateful for everyone there, whether or not they know it. I personally felt a lot of support.' Michele is now married to businessman Zandy Reich, whom she married in 2019. The couple share two children, a son born in August 2020, and a daughter born August last year.
