Can Lea Michele Read? Infamous Conspiracy Theory About 'Funny Girl' Star Explained

Lea Michele
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Tony Award Productions)

Since her momentous casting as Fanny Brice in Broadway's 2022 production of "Funny Girl," Lea Michele has been in the headlines for months already.

As she finally took on her dream role, debate and her dirty laundry have been put into the light again on social media - especially the infamous conspiracy theory that she is illiterate.

Very recently, Lea Michele swatted the allegations once and for all.

Can Lea Michele Read?

The most practical and realistic answer is Yes – Lea Michele can read.

In an interview with New York Times, the "Glee" alumna addressed the rumors once and for all.

"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," Michele explained.

As preposterous as the allegation sounds, many seemed to have believed the conspiracy theory that "One More Thing" podcasters Jaye Hunt and Robert Ackerman started in 2017.

Lea Michelle Illiterate Conspiracy Theory

According to the original theory, the excerpt from the late Naya Rivera's memoir, "Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up," about veteran actor Tim Conway suggesting to do an improvisation while filming an episode of "Glee" is what started the rumor mill.

Apparently, Lea Michele was not comfortable and refused to do an impromptu - demanding that she would stick to her own lines.

More so, the conspiracy theory grew after some alleged that Lea did not have a chance to study since she was busy working as a child star. Some even pointed out that it was Jonathan Groff who helped her read and understand the lines in "Spring Awakening" when they were still on Broadway in 2007.

The story of "Lea Michele can read" pop out on Twitter every once in a while, especially when the "Scream Queen's" actress name hits the headline.

Per Complex, Lea initially responded to the claims in 2017 with a perfect clap back in a now-deleted tweet.

"Loved READING this tweet and wanted to WRITE you back. Literally laughing out loud at all this. Love you!!!" she said at the time.

But it seems like with her name being more prominent now after taking over Beanie Feldstein's role as Fanny Brice on "Funny Girl," the wild theories and rumors are finally hitting the actress.

Lea Michele will debut on "Funny Girl" next Tuesday, September 6, at the August Wilson Theatre.

Tags
Lea Michele, Funny Girl, Broadway
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