Even though the sixth and final season of Glee aired over five years ago, the show is still a cultural touchstone that can create headlines around the world, either for its boundary-pushing plot or for the behind-the-scenes drama revealed by former cast members.
Lea Michele, who starred as Rachel Berry on the show, was on the receiving end of the drama side of the headlines this week.
It began when Samantha Ware, who played Jane Hayward in the final season of the show, called out perceived hypocrisy in Lea’s support for the Black Lives Matter initiative.
Ware claimed that Lea made the show “a living hell” and that Lea had said she would defecate in Ware’s wig if given the opportunity. Other cast members, like Alex Newell and Amber Riley, commented on the accusations , with many others corroborating Samantha’s general assessment of Lea’s personality.
Heather Morris, who played cheerleader Brittany Pierce on the show, also spoke out.
“Let me be very clear, Hate is a disease in America that we are trying to cure, so I would never wish for hate to be spread to anyone else. With that said, was she unpleasant to work with? Very much so,” Heather tweeted .
“For Lea to treat others with the disrespect that she did for as long as she did, I believe she SHOULD be called out.”
Heather then stated that “it’s also on us because to allow it to go on for so long without speaking out is something else we’re learning along with the rest of society,” although she stopped short of calling Lea’s behavior racist.
Lea addressed these claims on her Instagram.
“One of the most important lessons of the last few weeks is that we need to take the time to listen and learn about other people’s perspectives and any role we have played or anything we can do to help address the injustices that they face,” she wrote in a lengthy statement on her Instagram .
“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,” Lea wrote, before beginning to address the specific comments Ware claimed Lea made against her.
“While 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,” Lea wrote.
“What matters is that I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people. 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,” Lea shared.
“We all can grow and change and I have definitely used these past several months to reflect on my own shortcomings.”
“I am a couple of months from becoming a mother and I know I need to keep working to better myself and take responsibility for my actions, so that I can be a real role model for my child and so I can pass along my lessons and mistakes, so that they can learn from me,” Lea shared.
“I listened to these criticisms and I am learning and while I am very sorry, I will be better in the future from this experience,” she finished.
While some fans are glad that Lea spoke out, others think she should have directly addressed Samantha and her other coworkers in her apology.
What do you think of Lea’s post? Let us know in the comments below!
Samantha has seemingly responded to Lea’s apology.
Ware tweeted a link to a gofundme with the caption “Perceived? Purceived? Purse? Open your purse?” referencing Lea stating that she had been “perceived” as insensitive or inappropriate, and calling for action by way of a donation to the cause.
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Many fans felt that Lea’s apology was not good enough.
“What she meant was ‘sorry you THOUGHT i was being racist, but I don’t think I was and therefore don’t need to own that’ like GIRL. Do better,” one fan replied .
However, some people thought Samantha shouldn’t be implying Lea was a racist.
“She apologized. Do you want to keep rehashing this by demanding proof?” added another fan .
What do you think? Is this all unnecessary drama, or do you think Samantha deserves a proper apology?
