SOMEONE PLEASE READ THIS TO HER
Lea Michele Responds To Rumors She Can’t Read, But Still Doesn't Say She Can
Celebrities are the subject of rumors all the time — about their love lives, their cosmetic work or lack thereof, their behavior toward colleagues and more. But it’s not every day that they have to publicly address rumors that they can’t read.
Jokes have littered the internet for years about Lea Michele — star of “Glee” and, soon, “Funny Girl” on Broadway, replacing Beanie Feldstein — and her alleged inability to read. The joke arose when Naya Rivera, her late costar on “Glee,” wrote in her memoir that Michele had refused to improvise during a scene. Because Michele never publicly commented on that story, the hosts of podcast “One More Thing” joked that the only explanation for her silence must be that she couldn’t read.
In today’s New York Times profile of the actress, Michele said this of the rumors:
I went to “Glee” every single day; I knew my lines every single day. And then there’s a rumor online that I can’t read or write? It’s sad. It really is. I think often if I were a man, a lot of this wouldn’t be the case.
Look: there’s no real credible evidence that Michele can’t read. The rumors that she can’t are silly and not to be believed — and I don’t think people really do believe them. But to address the rumors without even stating that she can read is… well, it’s very funny, and it has done nothing to quell the rumors. (Not to mention the assertion that the joke is rooted in sexism: in today’s himbo economy, I for one feel fairly certain a man would be just as likely to be the subject of the same rumor.)
I believe Lea Michele can read but I have to say it’s hilarious this is worded in a way that doesn’t actually confirm she can https://t.co/aDt5SkfuGH
— caitie delaney (@caitiedelaney) September 1, 2022
Lea Michele addresses rumors that she can't read: "Pppp4~qsdj." pic.twitter.com/gaWIa1bfZL
— Jeremy (@jeremylevick) September 1, 2022
Of Course I Can Write. Of Course I Can Read. I Wrote My Name in the Devil’s Book, Read the Curséd Scroll of Hecate, and Now My Reflection Appears in No Mirror. Grow Up. (Op-Ed by Lea Michele) pic.twitter.com/0FT50Ugkyy
— The Broadway Beat (@BwayBeatNews) September 1, 2022
Not lea michele’s publicist going with the if i were a man plot line ! Not this lolol https://t.co/qKhAyaGppd
— Clara (@colormeloverly) September 1, 2022
lea michele thinks women can’t read https://t.co/cMYreAiptJ
— abram AKA “The Funky Khazar” (@abram_facts) September 1, 2022
personally my favorite thing about lea michele only just discovering that people think she can’t read is that it only makes me more convinced she can’t because, if she could read, she probably would have read this criticism fifty years ago
— the morally corrupt juan barquin (@woahitsjuanito) September 1, 2022
Whenever people say Lea Michele can't read, she gets furious. But when people write it, she is undisturbed.
— Sridhar Ramesh (@RadishHarmers) September 1, 2022
lea michele at the opening night after party for funny girl pic.twitter.com/6IhR2Ryg4G
— cece (@whozcece) September 1, 2022
lea michele after someone finally taught her how to read: https://t.co/tHOudDF2tt
— emma (@strawberrycrocs) August 27, 2022
the conspiracy theory that lea michele can’t read is the most harmless and silly thing and of course she’s like “it’s because i’m a woman” as if people don’t to this day say that ted cruz is the zodiac killer lol https://t.co/ZxHvdWmVnz
— diana (@reginalinettis) September 1, 2022
Lea Michele can’t read and Harry Styles is completely bald are the two best conspiracy theories we’ve ever come up with as a society
— cece ✨ (@realitycece) September 1, 2022