Lea Michele

Originated the role of Wendla Bergmann in the Broadway musical "Spring Awakening".

Her father is from a Sephardi Jewish family (from Turkey and Thessaloniki, Greece). Her mothers family is Italian (from Rome and Naples). Lea was raised in her mothers Catholic faith.

Was roommates with "Glee" co-star Dianna Agron during the first season of the series.

Worked with "Glee" co-stars Jenna Ushkowitz and Jonathan Groff in the musical "Spring Awakening". Michele and Groff were the leads, while Ushkowitz joined the cast in 2008 as an understudy. Skylar Astin and Phoebe Strole , who were also members of the original cast, made guest appearances in the fifth season of "Glee" .

Best friends with actor Jonathan Groff.

"Glee" creator Ryan Murphy wrote the part of Rachel Berry with her in mind.

Was accepted to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, but opted to continue working on stage.

Was home-schooled for one year while she lived in Toronto, where she was performing in the original cast of "Ragtime". When the show was brought to Broadway, she was again home-schooled.

Her favorite novel is "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier.

Was in a relationship with actor Theo Stockman from November 2009 to September 2011.

Named in Peoples "Best Dressed List" of 2010.

In October 2010, she performed at a benefit concert for the Painted Turtle, a camp for children with chronic illnesses. The concert celebrated the 35th anniversary of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and she played the role of Janet Weiss.

Is active in charities for gay rights and animal rights.

Was ranked #7 on FHMs "100 Sexiest Women in the World" in 2010.

Was included in Times "100 Most Influential People in the World" list in 2010.

In April 2010, she appeared in a PSA for PETA speaking out against fur, and in September 2010, she was honored by PETA for her work for animals.

Enjoys baking in her spare time.

When she was not working on Broadway during high school, she worked in a Bat Mitzvah dress shop. Her duties were cleaning and vacuuming.

On March 25, 2011, in Los Angeles, she got into a car accident while driving home from work. Her car was hit by another car when she was driving, but she managed to walk away without any injuries.

Loves record players.

As of 2012, she has 14 tattoos.

Was ranked #10 on AfterEllens "Hot 100" in 2011.

Was ranked #28 on Maxims "Hot 100" in 2011.

Was ranked #47 on FHMs "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list in 2011.

Is a fan of pop singer Kylie Minogue and Fanny Brice.

Was ranked #12 on Peoples "25 Beauties (and Hotties) at 25" list in 2011.

In January 2012, Michele became the new spokesmodel for Candies.

Was voted #19 on AskMens "99 Most Desirable Women of 2012" list.

Was in a relationship with co-star Cory Monteith from November 2011 until his death on July 13, 2013.

Nearly hit Jon Bon Jovi with her car.

Has said that if she werent an actress, she would be a lawyer.

Has a wide vocal range. Her range is Eb3 to D6. In an interview, Michele revealed she is classified as a belter and soprano. She belted an A5 during the "Halo/Walking on Sunshine" musical number on "Glee" .

Cory Monteith set up her Twitter account and gave her the handle "@msleamichele". He also set "Rachel Berry" as her password, but she later changed it.

Rented a car to get to her audition for "Glee" , and ended up in a crash minutes before. She ditched the car on the side of the road and ran to her audition with shards of glass in her hair.

Her favorite film is Almost Famous .

Demonstrates her personalized workout on the iTunes app "Nike Training Club".

The first concert she attended was Madonna s.

Wrote two books titled "Brunette Ambition" and "You First".

Natalie Imbruglia , who made the song "Torn" famous, stated that she loved Leas cover of the song and thinks shell be successful in which ever career she chooses.

During her acceptance speech at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards, she dedicated her award to late boyfriend Cory Monteith , who died on July 13, 2013.

Was in an on- and off-screen relationship with her "Glee" co-star Cory Monteith until his death on July 13, 2013.

Landed a $1 million deal to spokesmodel for LOreal Paris USA in 2012.

Won the Best Nonscripted Host or Star Award for Around the Block at the 2009 New York Television Festival.

(July 2012) Filming the fourth season of "Glee" in Los Angeles, California, USA.

(September 2011) Filming the third season of "Glee" in Los Angeles, California, USA.

(July 2010) Filming the second season of "Glee" in Los Angeles, California, USA.

(January 2012) Announced as the new face of the Candies fashion brand.

(January 2011) Filming New Years Eve in New York City, New York, USA.

(July 2009) Filming the first season of "Glee" in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Was ranked #31 on Maxims "Hot 100" in 2014.

(July 2015) Filming the first season of "Scream Queens" in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Attended the Stagedoor Manor performing arts camp in the summers from 2000 to 2002.

When she was 19, her mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Owns a $2.9 million home in Brentwood, California.

(March 2014) Released her first studio album, "Louder".

Drives a Toyota Prius (May 2013).

Spent the first four years of her life growing up in the Bronx, New York, before moving to Tenafly, New Jersey.

Attended Rockland Country Day School for her elementary education.

Graduated from Tenafly High School, class of 2004.

In high school, she played on the volleyball team, was a member of the debate team, and sang in the school choir.

(June 2016) Filming "Dimension 404" in Los Angeles, California, USA.

(April 2017) Released her second studio album, "Places".

(August 2013) Filming the fifth season of "Glee" in Los Angeles, California, USA.

(September 2014) Filming the sixth and final season of "Glee" in Los Angeles, California, USA.

In her audition for the role of Young Cosette in "Les Misrables", she sang "Angel of Music" from "The Phantom of the Opera".

Ex-boyfriends include Matthew Morrison , Landon Beard , John Lloyd Young and Robert Buckley. She is still friends with the former, who went on to star with her in "Glee" .

Credits her "Ragtime" co-star Audra McDonald with educating her on singing and performing.

The first album she ever bought was Alanis Morissette s "Jagged Little Pill", and still owns the exact copy.

Ryan Murphy wrote the role of Hester Ulrich in "Scream Queens" for her. Murphy wanted to continue working with Michele, and decided to create a character who was very different to Rachel Berry in "Glee" .

Uses her first and middle names as her stage name because she was teased about the pronunciation of her surname.

Has starred in commercials and advertisements for GAP, Dove, Chevrolet and HP TouchPad.

Is good friends with "Glee" co-stars Becca Tobin , Darren Criss , Jenna Ushkowitz , Chord Overstreet , Amber Riley , Kevin McHale and Chris Colfer.

One of my favorite things about Spring Awakening (????) is that,it is enjoyable and important for both kids and adults to see.

I consider myself lucky to be an only child because if I had other,siblings, my mother would not have been able to take me to every,audition and be so supportive of my career.

I think people should just be proud of who they are. Negative stuff will,always be said, but it is the girl that can always wake up in the,morning and put a smile on their face and continue to do what they do,that has the best time.

Happiness is my greatest invisible accessory.

No one knows you better than you. Except maybe your mother.

Uniqueness is what makes you the most beautiful.

My idea of heaven used to be relaxing at home with a cheese plate and champagne. .