Lea Michele lyrics

Lea Michele Sarfati (born August 29, 1986), known professionally as Lea Michele, is an American actress, singer, and author, best known for her performance as Rachel Berry on the Fox television series Glee (2009–15). Michele's portrayal of Rachel has received much critical praise, earning her two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy in 2010 and 2011, and an Emmy Award nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2010. She has also received a Satellite Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and three consecutive People's Choice Awards for her performance.

Michele began working professionally as a child actress on Broadway in productions such as Les Misérables, Ragtime, and Fiddler on the Roof. In 2006, she originated the lead role of Wendla Bergmann in the Broadway musical Spring Awakening for which she received a Drama Desk Award nomination. In 2008, the Spring Awakening soundtrack, on which she was a featured solo artist, won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. Michele made her film debut in 2011 when she starred in the romantic comedy New Year's Eve, directed by Garry Marshall. She voiced the iconic role of Dorothy Gale in the animated movie Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return (2014), and will voice the character of Pinki in the upcoming animated film Bollywood Superstar Monkey (2017).

Michele signed to Columbia Records as a solo recording artist in 2012. Her first single, "Cannonball", was released on December 10, 2013. Her debut album, Louder, was released on March 4, 2014.[2] The album debuted at number 4 on the US Billboard 200 and sold over 62,000 copies in its first week of US release. In 2013, Michele signed a deal to write her first book, titled Brunette Ambition. It was released worldwide on May 20, 2014 and made its debut on The New York Times Best Seller list at number 3, and on the U.S. Nonfiction Best Sellers list at number 9. As well as being an actress and singer, Michele is active in supporting a number of charitable organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation.
2009–15: Glee and critical acclaim
Michele with the cast of Glee, August 17, 2009.

Michele stars in the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee as Rachel Berry, the show's female lead and star singer. In casting for Glee, series creator Ryan Murphy sought out actors who could identify with the rush of starring in theatrical roles. Instead of using traditional network casting calls, he spent three months on Broadway, where he found Michele.[56] The role of Rachel was written specifically for Michele.[57] The pilot episode was filmed in late 2008. In an interview with The Washington Post, Michele commented on her casting, saying: "I was kind of just thrown into this – this is one of the first television jobs I've ever had. Of course being able to sing helps bring a sense of comfort. The character I'm playing is really outgoing – she performs in her everyday life as though she's performing in front of a huge audience."[58] She took the role because of Rachel's characterization, and explained: "Not only is she a singer, but she has so much heart – I think it's what we need on TV. A show that is filled with heart and love that is funny. It sends an amazing message to kids about the arts and being who you are."[59] Chicago Tribune '​s Maureen Ryan wrote that Michele "not only has an amazing voice but manages to make her character, spoiled diva Rachel Berry, more than a humorless stereotype."[60] Denise Martin of The Los Angeles Times commented in her review of the episode "The Rhodes Not Taken": "If there's any justice in the world, Lea Michele will win a Golden Globe and an Emmy for playing Rachel."[61]