Lea Michele/Rachel Berry

[Higgs]

If ever there was a TV show capable of putting forth the idea that one can be a really good singer and a really horrible actor, it's Glee. There's no reason why Rachel's triumph on the Broadway stage had to be a given.

Rachel's acting in "You Are Woman" was better than Streisand's by an even greater margin than her singing was.

http://vimeo.com/15772624

Rachel's Broadway triumph is being made quick and easy because, contrary to what I and virtually everyone else once thought, it isn't her main story, rather it's that which follows: her finding her "home".

Edited March 31, 2014 by Higgs

[caracas1914]

Well Streisand won an Oscar for "Funny Girl" so yeah, Mileage varies as to Lea being better than Barbs by a "great margin". At the least Barbs version win hands down for me as far as original interpretation as opposed to a copy cat cover version.

It's self defeating to sing a "better" Streisand cover in the same manner.

Edited March 31, 2014 by caracas1914

[Higgs]

Far from being a "copy cat" version of "You Are Woman", Lea's performance was diametrically opposite in every respect. Where Streisand was a campy, OTT virginal ingenue, Lea was the sexual aggressor, yet allowing her Nicky in on her pretense, resulting in the erotic SHARED laughter at the end. I cannot imagine how it could have been more different, unless it were on HBO and she completely undressed during the song.

To be fair to Streisand, her ludicrous portrayal was primarily the fault of the producers and director. To get the rights to Fanny's story, they had to agree to a lot of romanticizing of both leads. Fanny had already been married, came from a well-to-do middle-class family, didn't speak or sing with a Yiddish accent, and knew that Nicky was currently married and a real gangster before she moved in with him. Even if we ignore the real Fanny's past, the notion that a showgirl (even a Jewish one) would be shocked, shocked!, to discover a professional gambler's true intentions towards her is ridiculous on its face.

And to prove it's not so impossible to outperform Babs, here's someone else who, while

preserving the same dramatic concept (completely unlike Lea's), acts and sings the scene with more class and realistic humor than Streisand ever could:

As to Streisand, although I share her ethnicity and politics, I'm in agreement with Fanny's daughter, who said, "That girl play my mother? I wouldn't hire her as my maid!"

Source: http://barbra-archives.com/live/60s/funny_girl_broadway_1.html

I went and listened to every "People" I could find on YouTube. Lea's was my favorite by far, but specifically with respect to Streisand in having a more beautiful (and less nasal) tone and free of some of Babs' annoying phrasing. Streisand was to become a much better singer than she was in the 60's, and certainly came to have a much superior vocal instrument than Lea's. But the better singer-actress? Lea Michele, no contest. She's the Callas to Streisand's Tebaldi.

"Cover" is a term used almost exclusively in pop music, rarely in discussing jazz, gospel, opera, standards, or show tunes. In any genre, first ain't always best, and given enough time, everything is ultimately surpassed.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Higgs

[Myrna123]

Streisand was to become a much better singer than she was in the 60's

True.  Streisand was on her way to becoming a legendary icon (or is it an iconic legend?).  Lea Michele is more on her way to being that woman who stared on Glee back in the day.

[Higgs]

There are many paths to iconic status, not all of them picturesque.

The sooner Lea separates from Glee, the better, and she's working on it. It was no accident she was just introduced on the KCA only as the voice of Dorothy in the upcoming Oz film. After her international album tours and RM's "Funny Girl", Glee will become a short paragraph in the middle of her resume. Don't cry for Lea just yet, America, nor pray too hard for her failure. It's likely to lead to disappointment in the Divine.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Higgs

[truthaboutluv]

The sooner Lea separates from Glee, the better,

 

Ah the words of many a fan for their favorites and then it all doesn't work out as planned. I no more know what the future holds for Lea Michele than anyone else but there have been many very talented people who were expected to do amazing things when their series ended and then, when it was all said and done, not so much. But by all means, good luck to her.

Btw, it's funny the rush for Lea to separate herself from Glee since she's the one positively talking about a possible Glee spinoff centered around Rachel and admitting how she'd definitely be willing to do it. Of course how the spinoff would be any different than the show now is beyond me but doesn't matter since I can't see any network greenlighting a spinoff for a show that no one is watching anymore.

Edited April 1, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[bravelittletoaster]

Lea had a pretty healthy Broadway career before Glee, and I can't imagine it will be anything but the same after Glee.  It's not much of a spoiler, but Lea Michele's career's going to be just fine.

[Higgs]

Btw, it's funny the rush for Lea to separate herself from Glee since she's the one positively talking about a possible Glee spinoff centered around Rachel and admitting how she'd definitely be willing to do it.

Lea always responds enthusiastically about anything she might do, and I take absolutely none of it at face value. In fact, I consider everything she does in public to be an act, and usually quite knowingly funny.

Streisand left Broadway never to return, and Lea has tried to do the same. Compared to movies/TV/recordings, it's much harder work for a lot less fame and fortune. But let us not get dragged down into a hopeless inter-generational pissing match. The issues of real importance are the Art of Song and musical theater, and the real enemy is this:

I consider it a positive that Funny Girl could not be revived in its original aesthetic, and a negative that a Streisand or Dion or Whitney could never have become as widely (and justifiably) popular as they did if they were beginning their careers today. Changes in taste and the demographics of those whose purchases determine Billboard ratings are a greater hurdle for Lea in becoming a pop star (just one of several possibilities) than her Glee association. In any case, rather than have her lip sync for 15,000 screaming tweens at the Staples Center, I hope she gets to do something like this:

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Kristin-Chenoweth-to-Return-to-Carnegie-Hall-with-THE-EVOLUTION-OF-A-SOPRANO-53-20140320

Edited April 1, 2014 by Higgs

[Cranberry]

Feel free to suggest a subtitle for this topic -- I can edit that in anytime. Also, feel free to start a Rachel Berry thread or threads for any of the other characters or actors. I'm also open to the idea of combined actor/character threads, if you (collectively) would prefer that!

[tom87]

Ah the words of many a fan for their favorites and then it all doesn't work out as planned. I no more know what the future holds for Lea Michele than anyone else but there have been many very talented people who were expected to do amazing things when their series ended and then, when it was all said and done, not so much. But by all means, good luck to her.

Btw, it's funny the rush for Lea to separate herself from Glee since she's the one positively talking about a possible Glee spinoff centered around Rachel and admitting how she'd definitely be willing to do it. Of course how the spinoff would be any different than the show now is beyond me but doesn't matter since I can't see any network greenlighting a spinoff for a show that no one is watching anymore.

Lea knows there is no chance for a spin off.  Every time someone has asked her about a project or possible role she said sure she would love to do it.  It makes sense to keep every option open. 

I actually think Lea is over glee for the most part but knows she is locked in and is at least trying to stay positve.    We all know if Lea ever shaded glee in the slgihest she would get critized more than any other cast member. 

[aradia22]

Oh, dear. I know it's Stephen Schwartz but everything else about this sounds terrible. It's difficult enough to be optimistic about her playing Dorothy in that new movie with a rather embarrassing quality of animation. http://www.broadway.com/buzz/175353/lea-michele-to-monkey-around-in-ar-rahman-stephen-schwartzs-new-bollywood-musical/

[coolbeans3131]

Bollywood Superstar Monkey?

[sjsyed]

Oh, dear. I know it's Stephen Schwartz but everything else about this sounds terrible. It's difficult enough to be optimistic about her playing Dorothy in that new movie with a rather embarrassing quality of animation. http://www.broadway.com/buzz/175353/lea-michele-to-monkey-around-in-ar-rahman-stephen-schwartzs-new-bollywood-musical

Oh dear - that pink lipstick is unfortunate.

[Glorfindel]

Oh God, that movie discription sounds horrible.

And "Pinki" ..... *shudders*

[Higgs]

Bollywood Superstar Monkey is based on a story within The Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics, in which the demon king Ravana is defeated by a monkey army. Other character names likely follow Indian tradition.

A show of any kind involving the singing of Lea Michele has proved to be money and may, along with "Louder", explain why the most recent posters for the Oz movie have been changed to put her name above the title.

http://www.disneydreaming.com/2014/03/01/lea-michele-in-legends-of-oz-dorothys-return-new-movie-trailer/

Those placing emotional bets on Lea's failure should be asking for odds.

[tom87]

What that is just one of many posters.   Nearly every main character has a poster with thier name and character.  But even than she is the lead role of course they would  use her name onthe poster.  

I will not hold Legend of OZ against Lea,  she signed up for that back in early 2010.

But that said many fairy tales and folk tales probably sound odd to people when they first heard them too.

What sever drawfs and a girl eats and apple at what??

 

[Higgs]

What that is just one of many posters.

Only Lea has their name alone on top of a poster in a theater lobby. It's only recently that she has been distinguished in that way on any Oz poster.

[tom87]

and?   I don't see why that is a big deal she is the titled character that would be expected.   They also spelled her name wrong on many of the posters what does that say?    I am not counting her out or her future projects, I just do not think that indicates anything one way or another.

Edited April 10, 2014 by tom87

[dizzyizzy01]

My mom wanted to watch a movie on Mother's Day and we wound up watching Legends of Oz.  It was cute, but not great.  It kind of had a direct to dvd quality about it.  To be honest, the story was just kind of odd.  I can see why it was in development purgatory for so long.  It had a fantastic cast, and Lea was good as Dorothy.  But the cast couldn't really save the poor story and the actually kind of sub par animation.

Edited May 21, 2014 by dizzyizzy01

[Dirndl]

I bought the book and like it. I especially enjoy the pictures and whole design of the book and the stories are nice. The health and fashion tips aren't anything revolutionary but I didn't expect that. As someone who likes books like that (I also own the Lauren Conrad ones), I'm happy with what I got.

[tom87]

I bought the book and like it. I especially enjoy the pictures and whole design of the book and the stories are nice. The health and fashion tips aren't anything revolutionary but I didn't expect that. As someone who likes books like that (I also own the Lauren Conrad ones), I'm happy with what I got.

 

NY Times Best seller.   For a niche audience it was a nice book. I think for a younger crowd some of the tips and such are probably new or with many books like this it is nice to be reminded of things.   I of course would have liked more Bway stories but apparently she is writing a second book already.

[heyerchick]

Happy for Lea that her book is doing well :)

[caracas1914]

It looks like her album is going to end up selling at least between 200-250 k worldwide Overall at its worst. Not bad at all, as far as leaving the possibility of future recordings and albums.

[CleoCaesar]

I've always liked Lea (for reasons shallow and more substantial) so I'm happy her book and album did well. Good for her!

[MDKNIGHT]

A friend and I kind of have a fantasy bet that we will wind up buying Orchestra seats to see her as Ephalba before we shuffle off this mortal coyle.  I think the chances are good since (a) Glee is ending, (b) she can sing anything that Idina Menzel can sing, and © you have got to think that money people in Broadway have to have brains that figure "she's famous from tv and we'll get a bunch of teens that don't normally go to Broadway shows into seats if we cast her even for a limited run."  I mean they certainly milked that thinking for Grease and it seems to have worked. 

 

Does anybody know if she's touring now for her album?  And if so does she also sing other songs not from her album? 

[tom87]

If she does anything it will only be a few dates but nothing has been annouced. 

 

 

I do not think Lea should do Wicked unless it was some concert thing for a few nights.    It is like Funny girl she is already to interwined with Idina and Barbra.  She needs to keep doing her own thing not other people's break out roles.

Edited June 4, 2014 by tom87

[heyerchick]

I think that, as with all the cast members, Lea should do what she loves.

[tom87]

I think that, as with all the cast members, Lea should do what she loves.

Well of coruse.  I was jsut givning my opinion about recreating roles.  At least for a while imo she should try to do her own stuff.  But she doesn't seem to listen to me and has made decent descisions about her career w/o me so far. :)

 

But if Wicked the movie was offerd to her it would be hard to pass up for her that is understandable.

[truthaboutluv]

Yikes! So while it was more than clear that the writers just gave up and started stealing from Lea's life for Rachel's character towards the end of the season, wasn't expecting Lea to steal from Rachel's storylines. So supposedly she's dating a guy who is/was an escort. Okay then. 

 

You know what, if this is true (and with TMZ confirming the guy was a part of the company/site and US Weekly confirming the relationship I'm inclined to believe it is) I'm going to say she probably did not know this about him as I doubt it's something the guy tells potential girlfriends, especially as they supposedly met on the set of her music video.

 

My guess is this guy's story is that of sadly many who come to Hollywood/LA chasing fame. He is probably a wannabe model/actor who did the escort thing on a side to pay the rent/bills while trying to get gigs. He gets the gig to be in her video, they hit it off but because we live in the digital age and everything online is public no matter how you try to hide it, TMZ finds out. Will be interesting to see if she drops him quick because of this. So far there are no public outings, confirmation, etc. of the relationship. So she can just end it and just let the story quickly die down and go away. 

Edited June 11, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[Danielle87]

Yikes is right, however I find it really hard to believe someone like Lea wouldn't get a background check on this guy first before entering a relationship. My guess is she knows but doesn't care.

Edited June 11, 2014 by Danielle87

[truthaboutluv]

See I don't really think it is that unbelievable. Apparently the guy went by a different name on the website/company he works for. And like I said, it's very possible it's something he does or did to pay the bills when he wasn't getting regular gigs. So he probably does have a  genuine portfolio of a few modeling gigs, maybe some roles as an extra in a few shows, etc. So I can see her believing that he's a struggling/up and coming actor/model or whatever it is when meeting him and thinking nothing more of it.

 

I mean maybe she does know but I don't know, Lea seems too conscious of her career and image in my opinion. I'm not saying I buy those who think she and Cory were PR and/or she's milked his death but I do think a part of her and hell her people would say, "umm do you know what the media will write and say if the first guy you start dating after Cory is some ex-gigolo?" Uh-uh don't buy it. And I can't see them being so delusional as to think no one would find out just because apparently the guy took a leave of absence of whatever it was from the company. 

Edited June 11, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[caracas1914]

At least people aren't speculating this is yet another staged Lea PR stunt..

Actually give it time and her detractors will say precisely that...

[truthaboutluv]

Actually from the comments at USWeekly.com, I'm seeing a lot of people saying that if it is true Lea must have really bad taste in men and makes horrible choices to go from first falling in love with a drug addict and now a male hooker. A lot of the comments at ONTD have actually been people seeming amused, especially at the irony of the Rachel/Brody storyline and basically being like, "get it Lea."

 

I don't remember anyone making Cory into a hero or loving him for being a drug addict. A lot of the fans who did love Cory seemed to love him as Finn and love him as someone who was always kind and gracious to his fans and were sad when he died. Not wanting to sit around and pass judgements on someone especially after they're already dead does not automatically mean making excuses for them. 

 

As for this guy, the TMZ story on this is a little strange. First they say Lea and the guy have been together for a few months now and that the guy has taken a hiatus from the company since he started dating Lea, yet they state that according to records, his last job was a weekend with a client in April. April was less than two months ago. So either this thing with him and Lea has only really been going on for a month or it means he was still working while they were already dating. And if it is the latter, that reason alone she needs to drop him and fast. 

Edited June 12, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[truthaboutluv]

I really don't want to get into this because one, it's Lea's thread and two, the guy's been dead for almost a year now so I don't see the point.

 

But I will just say this, I think Jane Lynch's Quarterback comment had to do with the sentiment that Cory was like a leader on the show itself and among the cast-members. And I do remember many of the cast-members expressing this same sentiment early in the show's success and saying it multiple times throughout. That Cory was the one often pumping people up on set, during the tours, was friendly with the crew, etc. So I didn't read her comment as anything more than that. 

 

As for the nasty comments about Lea, if any of that is from tumblr, I'm not surprised and why I have avoided Glee tumblr tags like the plague since I made the mistake of going on there once. Have never made that mistake again. 

Edited June 12, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[camussie]

There is a VERY small faction fans, only SOME of whom are Cory/Finn fans, who have passed judgement on Lea for moving forward but as someone who chats about Glee on Tumblr with those who are unabashedly Finn fans I can say without reservation that I haven't run across ANY of them who have judged Lea for her actions post Cory's passing.  They all have celebrated Lea's successes including her recent video.  And they all thought those who said something about her vacation with Jonathan were complete idiots who needed to learn some dang boundaries.  

 

It is a mistake to assume every person who has spewed hateful comments towards Lea about how she has chosen to move forward with her life is doing so because they are Finn/Cory fans.  Of course some are but some are also those who have never liked Lea.  Some are those who are hateful about Glee in general.  Some are those who assume whatever behind the scenes drama with Naya was Lea's fault.  The list goes on and on.  I would also say that those people who would spread that kind of vitriol as Lea moves forward in her life would do so no matter what the cast and crew said about Cory.  They are just that immature. Given that I see no reason why those who knew Cory best should censure their positive view of him.

 

As for what the cast and crew have said about Cory, I haven't found the tone different than what they used to say about him before he passed.  From the beginning he seemed to be extremely well liked.  He was the one who "headlined" many of the events that accompanied the tours (the AT&T meet and greets, etc).  He was the "old man" in the cast (something Amber jokingly called him in an event video I saw) in both age and life experiences and it seems that some of that translated to him being one of the leaders among the cast.  

 

As for the fans,  a few of the very immature ones have referred to Cory as a hero but I would say the people I know who are Cory fans became his fan because of what he brought to the role of Finn and because how he interacted with fans of the show.  People admiring him for those is not the same thing as thinking he is a hero or excusing his drug addiction (not that it is any of our places to either judge it or excuse it).  It is simply acknowledging that to them Cory was more than a drug addiction that for the most part didn't affect his interactions with the Glee fandom. For example, I recently saw a picture taken by a fan who came across Cory a few days before he passed.  It was taken on a hiking trail in Canada.  Whatever he was battling at that time it seems even then he didn't let it get in the way of giving a fan an enjoyable encounter.

Edited June 12, 2014 by camussie

[truthaboutluv]

Yes a few idiots were going to judge her no matter who and when she chose to move on and they would likely be the same idiots who were saying the relationship was never real anyway and it was all for PR and she was milking Cory's death for publicity. That said, I'm sure if she'd started dating some low-key, maybe little known actor/musician, most people would probably say that's nice and move on.

 

But you do have to admit, going from having a boyfriend who OD'ed to a guy who moonlights as a hooker is naturally going to make some people raise their eyebrows over her relationship choices. Which is why, as I said, I really doubt she knew about this and will be shocked if dude is not dropped in a heartbeat. And her and her people will likely do everything in their power to present her as single until enough time has passed where they hope everyone has forgotten about this little incident. 

 

Or I could be wrong and she's fallen so hard for him that she won't care - yeah I doubt it. Especially if all of the story is to be believed, she cared enough to keep the relationship very quiet.

Edited June 12, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[camussie]

In my opinion, this is partially on her, on Glee, on the fans, and how her and Cory's relationship was presented. If it's bad enough for her to comment on in more than one interview that her "fans have to understand that I am going to move on with my life" then you know she reads all the terrible shit that gets sent her way.

 

 

My point is actually that I don't think what some immature idiots say in comment sections for articles and on Lea's Twitter are representative of the Glee fandom as a whole.  I think it is a mistake for anyone, Lea included, to assume those few fringe speak people speak for all of the Glee fandom or or even those who  are Cory/Finn fans.  They simply aren't and for that matter some of those idiots are not fans show at all but rather just are hateful for being hateful sake.  I get why it bothered her, especially since it was regarding vacation she took with her BFF Jonathan.  I just disagree with her, or anyone, painting all fans with a broad brush because of those idiots.  This holds especially true since I would say the positive comments about how Lea has moved forward with her life far outweigh the negative ones.

 

As for neither Cory nor her new rumored boyfriend being a great prize, I don't know either one of them so I can't say one way or another.  Obviously Cory was a recovering drug addict who at some point relapsed (after how many years and how long into their relationship we don't know)  but I don't think that is the entirety of what he brought to the relationship.  This new guy may have the baggage of how he chose to make a living but that may be baggage she is willing to live with because of whatever else he brings to the table. 

 

I realize I hold an opinion that is contrary to what most Glee fans believe. I don't know if that's because I've dealt with an addict up close and personal and it permanently changed my view on drugs, addicts, and addiction or something else.

 

 

I don't think any of us can speak to what most fans believe.  We all have different life experiences that affect how we view issues like this

Edited June 12, 2014 by camussie

[tom87]

As for this guy, the TMZ story on this is a little strange. First they say Lea and the guy have been together for a few months now and that the guy has taken a hiatus from the company since he started dating Lea, yet they state that according to records, his last job was a weekend with a client in April. April was less than two months ago. So either this thing with him and Lea has only really been going on for a month or it means he was still working while they were already dating. And if it is the latter, that reason alone she needs to drop him and fast. 

 

Lea did the video on April 19th and that is when they met.  The guy having a client was the next weekend. So they probably were not dating really .  Dating and being considered a boyfriend are 2 different thing imo.   Lea also was in NY with no sign of this guy for nearly two weeks in May. 

 

So whatever is happening has not been going on for long.   It screams summer fling to me and just a natural step in her prcess of moving on.    A background check can only pick up so much and if he has never been arrested it picks up even less.

Edited June 12, 2014 by tom87

[caracas1914]

Obviously it's not good if she's dating a hooker, but on the flip side if she continues to date him,  it  would indicate

 

a) she doesn't hold her public image over 'true love'

b) didn't realize his background until she fell

c) it's all done for PR

d) she is just a heartless slut

 

or e) some combination of all a, b, c, and d  (eyes rolling here)

 

Kelsey Grammar had some interesting choices but I digress...

 

Lea has never struck me as a 'princess' but a rough and tumble, frank speaking New Yorker (no, I'm not stereotyping, well sort of, but you know...) so she strikes me as the type who could date someone because she liked them.   It certainly is no automatic assumption for me that she knew that Cory lapsed back into drug use when she first started dating him again.  (Apparently they had a fling when Glee first started).  So all this talk about her dating a drug user, well Philip Seymour relapsed after 20 years sober to I'm just saying it's easy to say that Lea makes "bad" choices, as in she deliberately picked a drug user...or a hooker without knowing all the context and background...

Edited June 12, 2014 by caracas1914

[Hana Chan]

Lea is entitled to date whoever she wants, and she certainly doesn't need my (or anyone else's) approval. I hardly think that this is a serious relationship at this point and it's hardly a surprise that she would start moving on with her life. Losing Cory was tragic, but they weren't married or even engaged (despite all the rumors that marriage was imminent) so starting to date after a year? Well within the bounds of propriety.

 

Not being a huge Lea stan I can be a bit more pragmatic and not get bogged down in the whole "he's not worthy of her" bullshit. I may not think that dating a former escort is the best idea for a young rising female star, but again, it's not my business. Do have to say that the parallels between Lea and Rachel grow even tighter considering that Rachel's first post-Finn relationship was Brody, who was working as an escort. Now Lea herself is dating a former escort as her first post-Cory relationship (that we know about). I just find that interesting.

[tom87]

Interesting how? Like conspiracy theory, this is all a publicity stunt interesting? Or she specifically sought out a gigolo and leaked the info herself to get media attention interesting? Or Lea and Rachel Berry really are the same person kind of thing? Just curious!

I have to think coincidence interesting.

 

Now sure why Lea would seek negative press.

[Hana Chan]

I don't think that Lea is seeking out bad publicity. I'll be generous here and just go with the assumption that she either didn't know about this guy's past before they started dating, or she just doesn't care. Her taste in men is, as far as I can see, a bit questionable but that's for her to deal with. While on one hand, I hate it when people are worried about how their realtionships will be recieved (if they are in the public eye) but on the other I understand why there are times when it has to be a consideration. I'm not going to be down on the guy for having sex work in his background, but I can't imagine Lea's PR team being thrilled over the news.

[truthaboutluv]

Well, her team managed to turn her dating and sticking by a drug addict who ultimately relapsed and overdosed because of heroin into the greatest love story of all time, so they might be able to spin this in a positive manner. Of course, he was "happy and healthy" so take that how you will.

 

 

Well clearly there are many who viewed him as nothing more than a junkie so they didn't do that great of a job apparently.

 

I think the Lea/Cory situation was more a case of she, like many before and after her, fell in love with a co-star. It just so happened this co-star was an addict who later relapsed and died. It also helped that  what happened with Cory, at least publicly, happened in the space of a few months. He publicly went into rehab then less than two months later was dead. It's not like Lea was dating a Charlie Sheen type with multiple stories of his having sex with porn stars, being violent, getting arrested, etc. and there she was through it all sticking by her man. 

 

But as I said above this is Lea's thread and I don't want to derail the conversation. I can respect people's feelings and personal experiences, especially as I don't know that I'd ever date an addict, recovered or not because it's a disease you never completely get cured from (see Philip Seymour Hoffman - 20 years of sobriety and still died from drugs) but I just don't see the point and the need to constantly vilify Cory when again the guy's dead and been dead for a year. Yes he was an addict, we all know that but I don't think Lea was being naive or that she was making him a "hero" when in an interview she said he was more than his addiction. He had a disease and ultimately it beat him but he was still a person who was somebody's son, friend, loved one and his life still freaking mattered.

[truthaboutluv]

She should really keep her mouth shut about addiction unless she learns to be honest about the serious as fuck problems that can occur from being in a personal relationship with one.

 

 

Or it's her life and it was her relationship and she has every right to talk about it however she wants and anyone is free to not read or follow any of her interviews. It's interesting to me that between the comments that fans aren't letting Lea move on and judging her for moving on are all the comments and criticisms about Cory. Cory is dead so obviously he is no longer a part of her life anymore, what is the point of constantly bringing up his addiction and how he died?

 

I'm not telling anyone how to feel from their personal experiences but I also don't think it's fair to project that onto Lea and Cory and what their relationship was. I don't know how things were in their relationship and during those last months and no one does either, no matter how many personal experiences one has had with addiction. I just don't get this need to harp on and pass judgement and comments - we all know how Cory died, we all read the news media and tabloids and saw the headlines. 

 

I don't buy this idea of "well people make Cory into a hero..." No one was doing that here in this thread and I don't see it being done anywhere on the Glee board and in the last months on TWOP most of the last pages of the Finn thread focused on the character of Finn. So I don't see where the "Cory was a hero" thing is happening and if it is, then address it where it is happening. But this just feels like let's take an opportunity to again go on about how much of a junkie Cory was and how dare they not say that to every tabloid before he died. 

[Hana Chan]

Let's be honest here - none of us are intimates of Lea or Cory and none of us know the realities of their relationship. All we know is what they and their PR people allowed us to see and I'm not going to be surprised if it's a highly sanatized version of their real lives. We don't know how Cory's addition impacted his relationship with Lea, how aware of his struggles she might have been or any of the other particulars. We can only guess and make assumptions based on our own biases. The simple fact is that Cory has been gone for a year. Whatever his relationship with Lea was - whether it was a real deep love or just a PR convenience - she's now moving on. It's not unseemly for her to do so at this stage.

[caracas1914]

I think Coy was more than his addiction, because we had seen him on screen for nearly five years and he had a body of work as an actor on Glee.  The character of Finn, love him or hate him, was as developed a character on Glee in no small part because of Cory's acting skills in "humanizing" Finn.  He was also romantically linked to Lea and in person came across (at least to me) in interviews as a very accessible, frank person who didn't sugarcoat his history (including his drug addiction) and was involved in charities/causes.  Most of the other younger actors on Glee seemed to defer to him as their "leader" IMO.  It seems he was drug free most of the time he was on Glee, but like Philip Seymour showed, anyone off drugs even for decades can relapse again.

 

So that is the "history" we know of Cory, whereas this guy Lea is supposedly dating there is scant information or background on. Of course belonging to an escort service the media will have a filed day with that, just like they do with any who has some kind of a "past".  Lea is aware of that, and I expect if it's just a fling or something more serious she will have to make a decision to continue to see him or not.

 

Cory had a drug addition history as a youth, was clean for years, slid back into drugs,  went to rehab, had a relapse and overdosed.  That is a fact. 

 

I certainly can't judge Lea for saying there was more to Cory than that. 

 

Joseph Gordon Leavitt was furious that a GQ cover article focused on the alleged drug overdose death of his brother, so I could see loved ones being particularly sensitive with painting with a broad brush someone who died as "only a drug addict' as the summation of their lives.

[truthaboutluv]

So that is the "history" we know of Cory, whereas this guy Lea is supposedly dating there is scant information or background on. Of course belonging to an escort service the media will have a filed day with that, just like they do with any who has some kind of a "past".

 

 

This exactly. Lea, if the tabloids are to be completely believed, has been keeping this under wraps so who even really knew she was dating anyone. Tom87 noted above that she was just in NY recently for two weeks seemingly solo. Then randomly, a TMZ report pops up saying Lea Michele is dating a guy she met on the set of her video who apparently also moonlights on the side as a male escort. Of course many people would go - "wait, what?"

 

And like I said, most of the immediate reactions I saw were one, people saying she must have some really poor choices in men, including yes, the fact that her last boyfriend died of an overdose and a lot of obvious jokes over the fact that her character dated a guy who moonlighted as a male escort because the jokes just pretty much wrote themselves. 

 

What I have not seen is anyone acting like how dare Lea sully Cory's memory and their relationship by dating some filthy hooker. I have not seen that anywhere which is why I still say I don't see the point of bringing up Cory's sins. The only comparisons being made about Cory and this guy in the thread were in the same comments going on about Cory's being an addict. Which is once again like I said, we get it, he was a drug addict and he OD'ed.

Edited June 12, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[truthaboutluv]

Yes and like I said there are always a bunch of idiots in every fandom. I'm sure the people making those same comments are people who accused her of milking Cory's death and have always hated her. That would be like me taking seriously any comment some of the nutters who ship Chris and Darren make about Chris' boyfriend and their relationship or Darren's relationship. There are always disgusting comments but a couple of idiots and nutjobs online does not make a consensus opinion.

 

So in my opinion, I still don't think that anyone, meaning the average person, who didn't already hate Lea or were some obsessed stan of Cory's perhaps, is judging Lea or this guy because of Cory. The story was surprising yes and some made comments related to that. And as I noted above, if that stuff is happening over at tumblr or wherever, then address it where it is happening so there is no confusion and wondering in this thread , "where is this coming from since no one was saying or suggesting that Cory was some saint and Lea is awful for dating some loser hooker." IMO it just creates an unnecessary debate.

Edited June 12, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[camussie]

Why is this guy getting so much hate? It's simply because he is coming after Cory.

 

 

I think it is a huge exaggeration to say this guy is getting "so much hate."  A few immature responses in the comments sections of gossip sites is hardly so much hate.  And again I will say it is a huge mistake to even attribute all of those comments to people who don't like that she moved forward after Cory.  Lea, and for that matter anyone in the spotlight has their detractors and they will find any excuse to post hateful rhetoric about her.  

 

The crazy is strong though, and it exists.

 

 

That it is a strong is a matter of perception.  I agree that it is there but for the most part I think people have been incredibly supportive of Lea as she moves forward.  

Edited June 12, 2014 by camussie

[camussie]

So honestly what is the point you are trying to make?  That there are some immature and even unhinged fans out there?  I think we all know that and by the way it applies to every fandom.  That SOME of those posting hateful things were overly invested in Lea & Cory?  I think we all know that and by the way it applies to almost every celebrity couple.  

 

I still don't get what all of that has to do with making sure people understand that Cory was an awful awful addict (in your eyes)  Do you really believe if everyone viewed addiction through the same lens that you do that these hateful comments towards Lea moving forward would stop because they would think well it is about time she moved on from that awful junkie?  They wouldn't so I simply don't see what point you are trying to make.

 

I can say that you and I simply have had different experiences with addicts and likely Lea's experience with Cory was different that each of ours.  Since we all have different experiences I think it is a mistake for any of us to project our experiences onto someone else.  Just like it is unfair of those to say how dare Lea move forward I think it is unfair for people, including you, to say how dare she say Cory was much more than his addiction and despite that addiction she was happy with him.   The bottom line is it was her relationship and she can move forward however she wants and she can talk about it however she wants.  

 

Finally I have to say if you have a problem with what people are posting on other sites why not address it at those sites?

Edited June 12, 2014 by camussie