Actress Lea Michele has responded to her former Glee co-star Samantha Marie Ware over comments that Michele made her life a "living hell" on-set of the popular musical television show.
On May 29, Michele tweeted her response to the death of George Floyd and her support for the Black Lives Matter movement, saying: "George Floyd did not deserve this. This was not an isolated incident and it must end."
However, Ware, 28, who played Jane Hayward on the sixth season of Glee, hit back at the 33-year-old, writing:
"LMAO REMEMBER WHEN YOU MADE MY FIRST TELEVISION GIG A LIVING HELL?!?! CAUSE ILL NEVER FORGET.
"I BELIEVE YOU TOLD EVERYONE THAT IF TOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY YOU WOULD 'S*** IN MY WIG!' AMONGST OTHER TRAUMATIC MICROAGRESSIONS THAT MADE ME QUESTION A CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD… [sic]."
Responding to the backlash, Michele, 33, said in an Instagram post:
"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.
"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.
"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 really not the point, what matters is that I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people."
She continued: "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. We can all 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. 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."
Michele's response to the backlash comes a day after HelloFresh cut ties with her because of the allegation.
The meal kit delivery service tweeted: "HelloFresh does not condone racism nor discrimination of any kind. We are disheartened and disappointed to learn of the recent claims concerning Lea Michele.
"We take this very seriously, and have ended our partnership with Lea Michele, effective immediately."
A number of other Glee stars also responded to Ware's allegations toward Lea.
Amber Riley, who played Mercedes Jones, tweeted a GIF of herself sipping tea, and Alex Newell, who played Unique Adams, shared a GIF of RuPaul gazing into binoculars.
Then Dabier Snell, who appeared in a series five episode of Glee, said that Michele wouldn't let him sit at a table with her and the rest of the cast.
He tweeted: "GIRL YOU WOULDNT LET ME SIT AT THE TABLE WITH THE OTHER CAST MEMBERS CAUSE 'I DIDNT BELONG THERE' F*** YOU LEA."
"I try to bring good vibes and create content for ppl to laugh and enjoy! Seeing her message brought back bad memories of being less than on set [sic] of glee. Ain't goin stand for her being fake like she care."
Dabier said that he was a guest star on the show, and while he only appeared in one scene, he appeared in various others that were cut and his name appear in the show's credits.
He tweeted: "I was a guest star on the show. Had credits and my own trailer. Had lines n all! Even Darren [Criss] wanted me to sit with everyone to feel welcome!"
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