In May, audiences were first given a glimpse of FOX’s “Glee,” when the network aired the pilot after the finale of “American Idol,” forcing fans to wait until the show’s return in fall for more. In addition to a stellar ensemble cast, hilarious writing and amazing pop songs re-imagined by a misfit high school choir, the series introduced a breakout star in the form of chanteuse Lea Michele.
The 23-year-old actress, who plays diva-licious glee club member Rachel Berry, is a newcomer to TV. She is best known for originating the role of Wendla in the Broadway musical, “Spring Awakening,” for which she received a Drama Desk nomination. Her looks remind many folks of another Broadway singing / acting star – Idina Menzel.
Lea recently told AccessHollywood.com’s Laura “Dish of Salt” Saltman that her work on the big stage has helped her prepare for life on the small screen.
“It really helps bring down some of my nerves. I’ve never done television before. [“Glee”] is my first TV job, so having the musical theatre background really helped me be comfortable,” she explained. “But, you know, I’m just so happy to be a part of this TV show I love so much. It really has a lot of things in it that I think are sort of my strong points. I just think that this role is incredible.”
The actress has also been given a little help from her co-stars and series creator, Ryan Murphy (“Nip/Tuck,” “Eat, Pray, Love”).
“Ryan is so incredible. He has been so helpful teaching me the ropes and I’ve learned so much from my fellow cast members. They’re all so incredible!” she said.
The actress originally left New York for LA with hopes of landing on a hit series, but not the one she’s starring in.
“I came out to LA a year ago when I finished ‘Spring Awakening’ which was my most recent Broadway show and I figured I’d come out and give TV a try. I wanted to be on ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ I’m still hoping if they’ll have me!” Lea said.
And although she’s already on a likely-to-be-hit show of her own, the actress said take any part on “Grey’s” – even a mangled one.
“I wanted to be like a crash victim or somebody,” she told Access. “I’ll be on a stretcher in the background. That’s fine!”
Lea is even hoping some of the “Grey’s” cast could make a special appearance on “Glee.”
“I know Sara Ramirez,” she said of the actress who plays Dr. Callie Torres. “I’m a huge fan of hers. She is such an incredible performer. So we have to get her on ‘Glee.’”
At least one other Broadway great, Kristin Chenoweth, will indeed however join Lea in the new season – an actress she’s delighted to work with.
“She is just so incredible. I actually just finished reading her book and it was like the best book. I was like slowly reading it so I wouldn’t finish it because I loved it so much,” Lea said of Kristen. “She is such a fantastic person, as well as a performer. I so look up to her both off camera and on.”
“Glee’s” use of pop songs throughout the show has been a dream come true for Lea. She told Access that she gets to sing a song that she has longed to perform since she was just a kid.
“I got my dream song! I got to sing a Barbara Streisand song. I can’t say which it is but it’s one of her most popular songs. Ever since I was a little girl, a Jewish girl, it’s like always been playing through my head. So I had the opportunity to sing that on the show,” she explained.
But the music isn’t stopping with just Streisand – Lea is also excited about tackling modern and edgier tracks this season, such as Rihanna’s “Take A Bow,” which she covers in the series’ second episode.
“I want to do something totally different. Like… I love Paramore,” she told Access. “We’ve been so lucky to do the songs that we’ve done that I just want to keep going.”
And when AccessHollywood.com revealed to Lea that she had been named our new Rising Star, the young star was almost moved to tears.
“I’m so excited! I’m going to get all teary-eyed now,” she told Access. “No, seriously. I am a huge fan so that is so incredible. Thank you!”
“Glee” returns tonight on FOX at 9 PM EDT.
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