Lea Michele is finally opening up about one of the most painful chapters of her life—the death of Cory Monteith, her co-star and boyfriend during their time on Glee. It’s been over a decade, but the emotional scars still linger. And now, on the Therapuss podcast episode aired on May 8, Lea shared what those dark days were really like for her behind the scenes.
Back in 2013, Michele was just 26 years old, living in West Hollywood. At the time, she couldn’t even find peace at home. Tour buses would drive past her house, announcing her name and playing “Don’t Rain on My Parade”—one of her iconic performances as Rachel Berry on Glee. “It was eerie,” she said. “They would still play the song and point me out. Meanwhile, I was just trying to survive.”
Cory Monteith passed away in July 2013 from a heroin and alcohol overdose. He was only 31. His death shook the entire Glee cast and crew—but for Lea, it was personal. The show, however, had to go on. “It was so depressing,” she confessed. “But if we didn’t show up to work, no one else could either.” She had to put her pain on pause just to keep the production moving. There was no guidebook on how to grieve someone you love while also performing for millions of viewers.
She admitted that the tragedy left a mark on her professional relationships too. “I think it fractured so much,” she shared. “I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, it was really hard.” She threw herself into her work because it was the only thing she could control. “I was in survival mode—just doing my job, keeping my head down.”
But even in the darkest times, Lea wasn’t completely alone. The Glee crew stood by her. “They helped me get through,” she said with gratitude. “I’d look behind the camera, and they were just holding me up.” Those small, silent acts of support made a huge difference.
Today, at 38 years old, Lea has come a long way. She’s married to Zandy Reich and is a mother of two. While life has moved forward, Cory Monteith’s memory is still with her. She continues to honor him in quiet ways, carrying his legacy in her heart.