In a recent podcast discussion, former ‘Glee’ star Sarah Thompson revealed that the cast felt “very afraid” to notify network executives about Lea Michele‘s alleged bullying behavior. The conversation surfaced after Michele made a since-deleted tweet expressing her support for the Black Lives Matter movement last summer. Following her tweet, several cast members, including newcomer Jessica Lane, came forward with claims that Michele created a hostile work environment, particularly for Lane, who described her first television job as “a living nightmare.” There were also allegations of Michele making racist remarks and exhibiting aggressive behavior towards other Black women during production. Reports indicated that her conduct affected not just the main cast but also extras and crew members on the show, which aired on Fox from 2009 to 2015.
Michele issued a public apology on Instagram, admitting she did not recall the specific incidents but acknowledged that her actions had caused pain. She stated, “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 the point. What matters is that I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people. I apologize for my behavior and for any pain I have caused. We all can grow and change, and I have definitely used these past several months to reflect on my own shortcomings.”
As allegations continued to emerge, Sarah Thompson took to social media to support her co-stars, indicating that Michele was “difficult to work with.” In a May 26 appearance on Danny Pellegrino’s podcast, Thompson elaborated on why the cast was hesitant to approach Fox executives about Michele’s behavior. She recounted receiving backlash for not being more explicit in her previous statements, saying, “I remember getting so much shade and people were like, ‘This is so cryptic. Why don’t you go out and say it?’ I was sensitive to the fact that she was pregnant at the time.”
Thompson reflected on the pervasive fear among the cast members, noting, “We could have reported the situation, but many of us were scared. I genuinely didn’t feel it was my place, and I don’t know why, because I was just as much a part of the cast as anyone else.” When asked if there was a particular incident that stood out, she described it as “the elephant in the room.” Despite their evolving relationships with Michele, Thompson emphasized the human element of understanding and supporting someone through their struggles.
She mentioned that she hasn’t kept in touch with Michele lately but wished her well. For additional insights on related topics, check out this post on home insemination, which offers valuable information on family planning, and visit Intracervical Insemination for expert advice. For those interested in pregnancy and home insemination, Kindbody is an excellent resource.
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In summary, former ‘Glee’ cast members have opened up about their fears and experiences regarding Lea Michele’s alleged bullying behaviors, highlighting a culture of silence and the challenges of addressing such issues in the workplace.