June 2, 2020
More Glee stars chimed in, including Heather Morris, who played cheerleader Brittany Pierce. Morris tweeted about her experience with Michele on set, and seemed to confirm the rumors.
“Was she unpleasant to work with? Very much so; for Lea to treat others with the disrespect that she did for as long as she did, I believe she SHOULD be called out,” Morris wrote in part, before implying that at the same time, she didn’t feel Michele had any racist beliefs.
pic.twitter.com/C9CZSZc6k5
— heather (@HeatherMorrisTV) June 3, 2020
In ET’s 2016 interview with Rivera, she too gave her thoughts on Michele. Rivera said that there were times when Michele was “unprofessional” on set, but that it didn’t always involve her.
“[Our characters] Santana and Rachel hated each other, but they also had this love-hate sort of relationship, and I feel like Lea and I had that while we were on the show,” she reflected.
FOX via Getty Images
In her memoir, Rivera wrote of Michele, “I think Rachel — erm, I mean Lea — didn’t like sharing the spotlight. On top of that, she had a hard time separating work from our outside friendship, whereas it was a lot easier for me … Lea was a lot more sensitive, though, and sometimes it seemed like she blamed me for anything and everything that went wrong.”
Meanwhile, Michele publicly apologized after Ware’s Twitter comment went viral.
“When I tweeted the other day, it was meant to be a show of support for our friends and neighbors and communities of color during this really difficult time, but the responses I received to what I posted have made me also focus specifically on how my own behavior towards fellow cast members was perceived by them,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram message.
As for what was said about her behavior on set, Michele wrote, “I don’t remember ever making this specific statement and I have never judged others by their background or color of their skin.”
“That’s not really the point, what matters is that I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people,” she continued. “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.”
Amber Riley, who played Mercedes Jones on Glee, later appeared on Real Quick With Danielle Young and made it clear she couldn’t care less about the drama surrounding Michele given the current events in the nation. She did, however, share that Michele “reached out” to her after her public apology.
“I wish Lea Michele well. I hope that she has an amazing pregnancy. I hope that she has grown,” Riley said. “I responded to her and that’s where it ends for me. I ain’t talked to that girl in two years. I have no hatred or ill will on that end. I want to make that very clear. My life and what I talk about is not going to be about that. This is the first and last time I’m gonna say something.”
Naya Rivera found dead:
Alex J. Berliner/ AB Images
In yet another stunning tragedy to hit the Glee cast, Rivera’s body was found on July 13. Rivera went missing on July 8 after taking a boat ride in Lake Piru with her young son. She was 33 years old.
In a press conference on July 13, Sheriff Bill Ayub from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said that there were no indications of foul play or suicide, and that Rivera possibly died saving Josey’s life. Ayub said that Rivera’s son told police that he and his mother went swimming and that while she was able to push him back up on the deck of the boat, she never resurfaced. Ayub added that there were sometimes strong currents in the lake in the afternoon, and that Rivera possibly had enough strength to push her son back in the boat but not herself.
In an earlier press conference on July 9, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Capt. Eric Buschow said that they had no indication after talking to Rivera’s son — who was found by a boater alone on the lake and was unharmed — that she ever made it to shore.
“It’s not uncommon that we have boating accidents and people lose their lives,” Buschow said.
A number of Rivera’s Glee co-stars had been praying for her safe return.
“We need all the prayers we can get to bring our Naya back home to us,” Morris shared on her Instagram Story last week. “We need your love and light.”
Overstreet, who played Sam Evans on Glee, tweeted, “Love and hug on the people you can, while you can. I love you. Everyone please send out your prayers.”
love and hug on the people you can, while you can. I love you. Everyone please send out your prayers.
— Chord Overstreet (@chordoverstreet) July 9, 2020
Praying.
— Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) July 9, 2020
Riley and McHale also asked for respect for Rivera’s family.
“All our energy is going toward helping find Naya and praying for her safe return and for her family,” Riley tweeted. “No one owes anyone online a performance of grief. This is very real and devastating. Focus on Naya and her family. Not us. We don’t matter right now.”
I cannot begin to understand what Naya’s family must be feeling. I know the rest of us are completely shattered, but not without hope. Please respect her family & their privacy in this moment. Please refrain from judging those who don’t show their pain on social media. ♥️ https://t.co/DXsUj3qdCh
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) July 12, 2020
On Monday, Rivera’s Glee co-stars shared emotional tributes to her after police confirmed Rivera’s body had been found, including Michele, who shared black-and-white pictures on her Instagram Story of both Monteith and Rivera.
Chris Colfer, who played Kurt Hummel, wrote in part of Rivera, “Being close to her was both a badge of honor and a suit of armor. Naya was truly one of a kind, and she always will be.”
Lynch — who played Sue Sylvester on Glee — tweeted, “Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.”
Meanwhile, McHale commented on a video of Monteith and Rivera taking time to greet fans.
“I’m not religious by any means, but you’d be hard-pressed to convince me that Cory didn’t help find our girl today,” he wrote. “These 2, in many ways, were the male and female versions of one another. So nice, cared deeply, were stupidly talented, the most fun, and really really good people.”
I’m not religious by any means, but you’d be hard-pressed to convince me that Cory didn’t help find our girl today. These 2, in many ways, were the male and female versions of one another. So nice, cared deeply, were stupidly talented, the most fun, and really really good people. https://t.co/qsvThOJxL7
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) July 14, 2020
Meanwhile, Rivera’s most recent social media post was a sweet picture on Instagram of her giving Josey a kiss.
“Just the two of us,” she wrote.
On July 2, Rivera also tweeted, “No matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you’re alive is a blessing. make the most of today and every day you are given. tomorrow is not promised.”
no matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you’re alive is a blessing. make the most of today and every day you are given. tomorrow is not promised pic.twitter.com/O4t7wdqA4k
— Naya Rivera (@NayaRivera) July 2, 2020
In her 2016 interview with 360aproko, Rivera opened up about how motherhood had become her No. 1 priority.
“I’m a mom now, and what I love more than acting is being Josey’s mom. So, I want to be here for him. And I don’t want to miss anything,” she said at the time. “I’m going to navigate the right way to do that.”
