Lea Michele captured hearts and headlines as Rachel Berry in the iconic TV series Glee. Her powerhouse vocals and ambitious portrayal of the McKinley High diva earned her critical acclaim and launched her into stardom. But Michele’s journey extends far beyond the halls of Glee, encompassing Broadway triumphs, personal milestones, and navigating the complexities of fame. Let’s delve into the post-Glee lives of Michele and her fellow cast members, exploring their career trajectories and personal evolutions.
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Lea Michele. Matthias Clamer/FOX; Noam Galai/Getty
Lea Michele, the actress synonymous with Glee and the unforgettable Rachel Berry, snagged an Emmy nomination in 2010 for her portrayal of the driven student. Her collaboration with Glee creator Ryan Murphy continued with a role in the horror-comedy series Scream Queens. Following Scream Queens, she took on a role in ABC’s The Mayor in 2017, showcasing her versatility across different television genres.
Michele’s personal life has also been under public scrutiny. Her deeply felt relationship with Glee costar Cory Monteith was tragically cut short by his passing in 2013. She later dated actor Matthew Paetz for two years, followed by a brief relationship with Dimension 404 costar Robert Buckley. Her relationship with Zandy Reich, president of a clothing company, culminated in an engagement in April 2018 and marriage in March 2019. The couple’s family expanded with the arrival of their first child in August 2020.
In 2020, Michele faced public accusations from former Glee costar Samantha Ware, who described on-set behavior that created a hostile environment. Ware stated that Michele had made her time on set a “living hell” and threatened to have her fired. Michele responded with a public apology, acknowledging and taking responsibility for her past behavior.
A significant chapter in Michele’s career unfolded when she stepped into the lead role of Fanny Brice in Broadway’s Funny Girl in 2022, succeeding Beanie Feldstein. This role realization marked both a career high and a moment of public attention, especially given the history and prestige associated with Funny Girl.
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Jane Lynch. Matthias Clamer/FOX; Donato Sardella/Getty
Jane Lynch, already a recognizable face in Hollywood before Glee, saw her fame amplify through her portrayal of the acerbic cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester. Glee‘s success paved the way for Lynch to lead her own series, Angel from Hell, and take on roles in shows like Criminal Minds and The Stinky and Dirty Show.
Lynch’s post-Glee career is marked by diverse achievements. She hosted Hollywood Game Night, earning two Emmy Awards for her hosting prowess. Her role in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel further solidified her Emmy collection in 2019. She also lent her voice to the character Donna in the animated series Velma. Intriguingly, like Michele, Lynch also graced the Broadway stage in Funny Girl, though she concluded her run prior to Michele’s debut in the production.
Lynch’s personal life includes a marriage to Dr. Lara Embry in 2010, which ended in divorce in 2013. In 2022, she publicly shared news of her marriage to Jennifer Cheyne, which had occurred a year prior.
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Matthew Morrison. Matthias Clamer/FOX; Michael Kovac/Getty
Matthew Morrison became a household name as the optimistic glee club director Will Schuester. After Glee, Morrison expanded his television portfolio with roles in The Good Wife, Grey’s Anatomy, and American Horror Story, demonstrating his range as an actor.
Morrison, with his Broadway background, returned to the stage in the musical adaptation of Finding Neverland. In 2022, he briefly appeared as a judge on season 17 of So You Think You Can Dance but was dismissed due to alleged inappropriate communications with a contestant.
On a personal front, Morrison married Renee Puente in 2014. They have since welcomed two children, a son Revel in 2017 and a daughter Phoenix in 2021, adding family life to his professional endeavors.
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Chris Colfer. Matthias Clamer/FOX; John Lamparski/Getty
Chris Colfer’s portrayal of Kurt Hummel remains a defining role in his career. Post-Glee, Colfer continued acting, including a stint on Hot in Cleveland. However, he found significant success as an author, particularly with his Land of Stories children’s book series, spanning five volumes.
Colfer made headlines in 2022 when he responded to a question about supporting Lea Michele in Funny Girl. His humorous yet pointed response, citing being “triggered,” alluded to past on-set tensions and indicated a lack of immediate plans to see his former costar in the Broadway show.
In his personal life, Colfer celebrated a decade-long relationship with Will Sherrod in January 2023, marking a significant personal milestone alongside his professional achievements.
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Kevin McHale. Matthias Clamer/FOX; Vincent Sandoval/Getty
Kevin McHale transitioned from his boy band NLT days to Glee, where he played Artie Abrams. While he hosted Virtually Famous and appeared in American Horror Stories, McHale has maintained a lower profile since Glee concluded, compared to some of his castmates.
McHale has also pursued his music interests, releasing his album Boy in 2019 and contributing to the children’s musical TV show The AlphaBeatZ.
In 2018, McHale publicly came out as gay, coinciding with a social media post featuring his boyfriend, actor Austin P. McKenzie. Their relationship began in 2016, during the filming of When We Rise, and has continued since.
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Naya Rivera. Miranda Penn Turin/FOX; Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Naya Rivera brought to life the fiery and complex Santana Lopez on Glee. After the series, Rivera continued acting in Devious Maids and Step Up: High Water.
Rivera’s personal life was often in the spotlight, marked by a publicized engagement and breakup with rapper Big Sean, followed by a surprise marriage to Ryan Dorsey. They welcomed a son, Josey Hollis, in 2015, experienced divorce proceedings and reconciliation, before ultimately separating. In 2017, Rivera faced domestic battery charges following an altercation with Dorsey.
Tragically, in July 2020, Rivera went missing at Lake Piru in California and was later found to have died in a drowning accident. Her untimely death deeply impacted fans and the Glee cast, leaving a lasting void.
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Jenna Ushkowitz. Matthias Clamer/FOX; Noam Galai/Getty
Jenna Ushkowitz, known for her role as Tina Cohen-Chang, has continued to act in projects like Yellow Fever, Hello Again, and Rosé All Day.
In a nostalgic venture, Ushkowitz and costar Kevin McHale launched the And That’s What You Really Missed podcast on iHeartRadio in 2022, revisiting their Glee experiences and sharing behind-the-scenes stories.
Ushkowitz married David Stanley in 2021 and welcomed her first child in June 2022. Notably, she participated in season 2 of RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race while pregnant, keeping her pregnancy private during filming.
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Amber Riley. Miranda Penn Turin/FOX; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
Amber Riley transitioned from her powerful portrayal of Mercedes Jones in Glee to winning Dancing with the Stars season 17. She also appeared in NBC’s The Wiz in 2015 and starred in the London production of Dreamgirls in 2016, showcasing her vocal talents and stage presence. Riley further expanded her acting credits with the Lifetime film Single Black Female in 2022.
Riley’s talent shone brightly when she won season 8 of The Masked Singer in 2022. She was also featured in the docuseries The Black Beauty Effect, exploring beauty standards and representation.
In her personal life, Riley announced a split from her fiancé Desean Black in April 2022, marking a change in her personal journey.
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Mark Salling. Matthias Clamer/FOX; Jason Kempin/Getty
Mark Salling became known as Noah “Puck” Puckerman in Glee and had a relationship with costar Naya Rivera during the show. However, his life took a dark turn in 2015 when he was arrested on child pornography charges. He pleaded guilty in 2017 and faced prison time.
Salling was found dead in January 2018 in an apparent suicide, shortly before his scheduled sentencing. Prior to these events, he had also faced accusations of sexual battery in 2013, settling out of court. His story is a tragic reminder of the complexities and sometimes devastating realities behind fame.
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Heather Morris. Miranda Penn Turin/FOX; Jesse Grant/Getty
Heather Morris, who played Brittany S. Pierce, brought her professional dance background to Glee. Before Glee, she toured with Beyoncé. In 2017, she competed on Dancing with the Stars, sparking debate due to her extensive dance experience. Morris showcased her dance skills again by winning season 2 of The Masked Dancer in 2022.
Morris maintained a close bond with Naya Rivera and has openly shared her grieving process, including tributes to Rivera on social media.
Married to Taylor Hubbell since 2015, Morris is a mother of two children, Elijah and Owen, balancing family life with her career.
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Corey Montheith. Tommy Garcia/FOX; ImageSPACE_CF/Splash News Online
Cory Monteith played the lovable Finn Hudson in Glee, becoming a central figure in the show. His off-screen relationship with Lea Michele was widely followed. Monteith had a history of substance abuse and tragically passed away in July 2013 at the age of 31.
Two films featuring Monteith, All the Wrong Reasons and McCanick, were released posthumously in 2013, allowing fans to see his final performances. His early death marked a profound loss for the Glee cast and its audience.
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Darren Criss. Joe Viles/FOX; Rachel Murray/Getty
Darren Criss joined Glee and quickly became a fan favorite as Blaine Anderson. Following Glee, Criss returned to Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He also launched a solo music career with his 2010 album, Human.
Criss collaborated again with Ryan Murphy in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, earning Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Awards for his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan. He continued working with Murphy in the Netflix series Hollywood.
Criss married Mia Swier in 2019 after dating for eight years and welcomed their daughter Bluesy Belle in April 2022. He showed support for Lea Michele’s Funny Girl role, visiting her backstage with his wife, in a heartwarming Glee reunion moment.
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Dianna Agron. FOX/Getty; Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Dianna Agron played Quinn Fabray, the head cheerleader in Glee. After Glee, Agron appeared in films like Luc Besson’s The Family, Shiva Baby, The Laureate, As They Made Us, and Acidman. She also directed and starred in Berlin, I Love You in 2019 and has a singing residency at Café Carlyle.
Agron married Winston Marshall of Mumford & Sons in 2016, though they reportedly separated in 2020 after three years of marriage.
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Jonathan Groff. FOX/Getty; Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele’s close friend, was a memorable guest star on Glee as Jesse St. James. He continued his TV career with roles in Looking and Mindhunter. Groff is also known as the voice of Kristoff in the Frozen franchise and appeared in The Matrix Resurrections.
Prior to Glee, Groff gained recognition for his Broadway roles in Spring Awakening and Hair. After Glee, he starred as King George III in the original Hamilton production. Continuing his stage and screen work, Groff starred in the thriller Knock at the Cabin in 2023, showcasing his diverse acting talents.
