Is Lea Michele's Redemption Arc Actually Working?

she may be difficult, but boy, can she sing.
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Lea Michele took center stage at the 2023 Tony Awards.
The actress and singer, 36, performed her Funny Girl character Fanny Brice's iconic song "Don't Rain on My Parade" at Sunday's annual Broadway-honoring awards show in New York City.
Michele was joined by several of her fellow cast members - whom she began working with on the musical revival last September, taking over the lead role from Beanie Feldstein - as she belted out the number first made famous by Barbra Streisand.

[@christianscholer6599]

My favorite moment in this Lea Michele kerfuffle was when Chris Colfer was doing interviews for his new book, and someone asked him if he was going to see Funny Girl with Lea since he was in NYC. He replied, "Why would I do that when I could be home and triggered for free?" Like RACHEL WHAT DO YOU DO TO KURT?!

[@meowmeowfuzzyface3698]

The savagery. I love Chris.

[@unholybinchicken]

I think her throwing a massive tantrum on set for the episode Chris wrote might have contributed to it.

[@eduardochavacano]

They are all so jealous, she was the star of Glee.

[@shippendales8543]

​@@eduardochavacanoshe was basically Rachel in real life So basically unlikeable and a diva She is talented which is something no one has ever attacked I think it's interesting she hasn't worked more with Ryan Murphy since the show has ended Her tv career outside of Ryan's work is not much at all Rumors of being difficult travel fast in Hollywood and will affect your ability to get work Because some people don't like drama

[@TeamRemerorTeamCoop]

Lea was not happy filming the episode Chris written for Season 5 which is Old Dogs New Tricks S5 E19 According to the late Naya Rivera in her memoir Lea storms off at the set and demand hand sanitizer when a dog comes near to her.

[@LeonBes]

Yeah the Tonys forcing us to endure Lea Michele as the closing act was shitty, but the fact that one of the Glee actors that threw shade at her (Alex Newell) literally made history for being the first openly out non-binary person to win a Tony while Lea herself still has 0 more than made up for it.

[@thomasdegroat6039]

Hilarious that 4 Glee actors have a Tony or Olivier while Lea Michelle is stuck eating Beanie Feldstein’s scraps.

[@manantial773]

@@thomasdegroat6039 She is making more money than all of them combined and will win Tony very soon, stay pressed, loser.

[@Tarikkb]

How is Alex throwing shade to Lea by saying they’re the first lonely out non-binary tony winner ?

[@enriquev1271]

@@TarikkbAlex threw shade to her by liking and commenting tweets when Lea was being cancelled. Honestly good for they.

[@NawiTheCore]

Lea would have 100% won a Tony if she was eligible. Critics LOVED her as Fanny Bryce.

[@FabalociousDee]

First off, favourite animal is a tiger. Second, Michele's story isn't a redemption arc, it's a continuance. In fact, I'd actually argue that her bad reputation has actually helped her career, in spite of some setbacks. Michele got her role from Glee to begin with because she displayed an arguably unlikeable side of herself that Ryan Murphy interpreted as a joke. It's heinous AF, but unlikeability MAKES her career, not breaks it.

[@Chaneloweenz]

Her bad reputation is purely fictional and based on the fact that she wanted a professional relationship with her cast mates not a friendly one. Them taking that as her having a bad attitude then caused the bitterness and jealousy from the cast against her.

[@RandysaurusRex]

​@sheshere2558 wouldn't call a lot of what she allegedly said to her castmates "professional"

[@Chaneloweenz]

@@RandysaurusRex Key word: "allegedly"

[@sxwx6567]

​@sheshere2558 when you have multiple incidents it can't be "purely fictional" lol but go head stan you guys really do live in your own bubble

[@Chaneloweenz]

@@sxwx6567 I mean no? Not really.

[@yuri2604]

I think it’s also fair to say that people remember Funny Girl because the movie is SOOOOOOOOO much better than the musical

[@Chaneloweenz]

This is absolutely untrue. Some of the best songs were left out of the movie.

[@yuri2604]

@@Chaneloweenz I couldn't disagree more. The film understands that the only strenght in the musical is Barbra and does the best it can to heighten every second of her performance, which also works a lot better with the dynamism of cinema. I can even watch Lea's "Don't Rain on my Parade" without remember how the scene in the movie makes it a lot more iconic. But regardless, this is just my opinion. we can agree to disagree.

[@dickginkowski6071]

Lea Michele and Julie Benko made the musical alive again.

[@BaileyVogtOut]

"Let's go piss off some theatre gays!" Qween shit

[@thomasdegroat6039]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Funny Girl is not a well-written musical so it’s only selling point is Barbra Streisand’s performance. So anyone who’s not a powerhouse vocalist would be miscast as Fanny Bryce. Beanie Feldstein isn’t a bad performer, she was just miscast.

[@stonecake313]

Isn’t the whole point of most “cancelling” situations for the person to acknowledge what they’ve done, stop what they’re doing and improve as people? I’m personally fine with Leah continuing her career as long as she’s improved herself and treats people well

[@lewismarriott1950]

I completely agree! It’s crazy to me that people expect her to disappear from the public eye for life over. Everyone should be allowed the opportunity to learn grow and be forgiven.

[@mestewart82]

To add to this, I feel like the only person asking what the other sides of these conversations looked like. I think we all have said something at one point that taken completely out of context and isolated would sound as bad if not worse. Additionally she said something to a cast member who was black, not because she was black. I've heard plenty of people interviewed say they didn't believe she had any racial hangups. Why would you make an entire video about a performance you didn't care to see? That's lazy writing. Your point of view is speculation. Just like the people who are commenting on her singing that obviously haven't seen the show. Her singing has evolved specifically for this production. Contrary to what's being said, she sings in several dynamics and styles just in this show. The whole closing of this video was a giant eye roll.

[@TheVietnameseCatGoblin]

Let’s face it though we never see any change in Lea’s behaviour, other than an empty generic apology. She hasn’t been working hard to be an ally for BIPOC or made amends with people she has hurt. I also found the “I don’t remember doing that but at least I’m sorry” very wishy washy and frankly insulting to the people she has hurt. On the other hand obviously we will never truly know what she has done behind closed door to improve herself. But I think given her PR team power if she did really do something we would hear about it

[@kula3368]

​@maihuongnguyen579 I'd be with you, but we are random people that don't know her and thus can't judge changes in her behavior. we simply don't know her like that. I'm neither a detractor nor defender because it makes no difference to me, but we gotta be realistic. the "cancellation" had no real lasting effect she needed to come back from, and I feel any kind of apology she would have made would never have been enough for people. all in all I think we'd all be better off if we put less energy into dissecting coworker beef and went outside for a while. smelled the flowers. maybe went to the beach.

[@jeffreywillstewart]

@@mestewart82 I like you cause we have the same last name! Lol. Seriously, good call. One of the things I like about Lea is she can blow out any genre! Oh, idi see Spring Awakening! She always stands out!

[@crystalcastillo7575]

It’s a tale as old as time. Bad people getting rewarded and always placed on top.

[@lucasvieira4352]

Just here to say that I saw funny girl with Lea last week, and honestly? Best performance on Broadway I’ve ever seen.

[@sarahbecker1482]

I agree

[@pinkmango_]

I don't like her but no one denies that she is insanelly talented, it even seems unreal the way she sings

[@dannielleburrus6117]

I agree. You can't argue with actual talent.

[@Astoldbysomeginger]

“Let’s piss off some theatre gays” 😂❤ I think Beanie was considered for Fanny because around that time American Crime Story Impeachment was airing and she was receiving a lot of praise for her take on Lewinsky. As far as Lea goes, I know the cast and crew collectively felt negatively about her. I worked on set for the last day ever of shooting Glee and many cast members were going around making subtle comments about how relieved they were to not be working with her. They never mentioned her by name, but it was very apparent. While it is annoying that Funny Girl performed at the Tony’s this year and not last year; I’m glad it did happen for the sake of the rest of the cast. They’ve been putting so much work into the show and it sucks that they’re work is grouped together with Lea’s reputation. Would’ve been better if we had a medley that let the ensemble be featured more though. P.s. Favorite animal is a flamingo, but mainly because “flaming hoe” is secretly in the name.

[@sterlingross919]

Can’t be surprised that they didn’t do a medley for the Tonys. The only reason people are paying to see that show is to hear her sing Dont Rain. What’s more annoying is that Julie Benko’s vocals honestly blow Lea Michele’s so far out of the water. But I was really annoyed that not only did she perform this year but she closed the Tony’s. Like…. Seriously

[@iain9757]

Could we argue with the “she can’t read” meme kept people talking about her? Pro or con - she was the internet obsession. Was it maybe a little ignorant? Yeh probably. She also didn’t lean into it so much that she killed the joke,unlike other celebs do.

[@Cam4Cameron]

I agree. This whole "Lea Michele saves dying production with glee" situation feels produced. Apologizing, starting a family for a few years, only to not get a part because of optics, to joining to save the production and end up on the Tony Awards anyway? Are we sure Ryan Murphy isn't producing a show about Lea Michele's life? She really needed to not get this part. To show that her talent is equally as important as how she treats others. She needed to lose the part. And she didn't. It was such an easy way to start honest redemption, but she couldn't resist the stage. It seems almost poetic, can't wait to see her Sunset Boulevard in 20 years, in real life or onstage.

[@jeffreywillstewart]

Except Beanie Feldstein is Jonah Hills sister and her parents are important industry folks. I think she saw herself like her buddy Ben Platt. Leas dad ran a deli and her mom was a nurse. She went along with a friends audition at 8 and killed it ever since. Plus she is genuinely funny. Beanies turn was hubris, counting on the woke crowd to come to Beanies aid. This production is Leas fitting into a production and costumes clearly meant for the limited talents of Beanie. We just prefer to hate the pretty one. What is with that bridal number. Don't they know we saw the movie?

[@tenthwave5834]

@@jeffreywillstewartyou really ignored the comment above and chucked up Lea’s criticism to the fact that she’s pretty…smh

[@JayJay-17]

I’m honestly not sure what my favorite animal is, maybe butterflies. I have to say this Lea Michelle “comeback” has definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. It wasn’t a one off incident it appears it was years of awful behavior that created a hostile work environment for so many people and liked you mentioned she was an adult who knew better. The stuff she said and the way she behaved was messed up. I understand people can change and learn from past mistakes but fact that she gave a half baked apology, faced no real repercussions, she left for like a year or two, and is having a comeback is just … smh 😞🤦‍♀️. I just know I’ll probably avoid projects she’s in cause that’s how icky the whole situation made me feel. I honestly don’t know why this situation upsets me as much as it does.

[@Chaneloweenz]

Stuff that isn't even true upsets you this much. Thats just sad.

[@JayJay-17]

@@Chaneloweenz what are you referring to as not true?

[@kathyneko]

A situation about rich people in showbiz upsets you? Ummm.

[@Katiewithdaffodils]

I can't say why it upsets anybody else, but it seems like the Lea Michele situation is one very public version of a workplace bully kind of getting away with it and continuing to 'thrive'. It is always upsetting when that happens.

[@JayJay-17]

@@Katiewithdaffodils wow that’s exactly how it is. You put into words what I was thinking/feeling.

[@guardianofthegalaxy2051]

I blame this whole thing entirely on the Funny Girl producers. Instead of casting new and exciting talent (like how Streisand was brand new before the Funny Girl movie, and it launched her career), they go with a nepo baby and then when it backfired they hired the menace that is Lea. You mean to tell me there’s zero jewish girl who can sing in New York other than those two????

[@MadameCorgi]

It's not practical to base a revival around a new star. Barbara herself was a replacement. It's basically impossible to finance a show on the back of an unproven talent. Usually when an unknown opens a show it's because the established leads pulled out, like with Sutton in Modern Millie

[@dickginkowski6071]

The alternate Julie Benko, who is Jewish, rocks. Dog lover.

[@MollyKillers]

I’ve never kept up with anything Lea besides giant moments that I can’t not hear about aka the blm backlash so when I saw her on the Tony’s my jaw dropped! I turned to my friend and said “wait… I thought she was cancelled or whatever how the hell did she get on the Tony’s?!” My friend explained that she was cast in funny girl and the whole controversy around it and I said “but Funny Girl wasn’t nominated for anything… why did she get to close out the show?” And my friend just shrugged and said “I don’t know man… that’s show biz baby”.

[@selmajabr3514]

Another thing that seems like a PR move is her being a main performer at NY pride this year. But I can’t speak on the private apologies that she sent to people, but according to Alex Newell, there is some forgiveness and moving on which is nice to see. Also I am completely on her side when people attacked her Twitter account blaming her for Nayas death and involving her son in the situation. That was terrible. However, I still have some personal reservations about thinking she’s totally changed because she hurt actors that I care about, that have inspired me and I can’t fathom why someone would do that, especially with no reason. Also her public acknowledgment was full of excuses and polite comments about it not sounding like a real apology kept being deleted. When that happens, it’s not a genuine apology. She also has gone on to describe her behavior as being a perfectionist in a high stress environment. But everyone in Hollywood is in a high stress environment and I’m willing to bet she wasn’t the only perfectionist in any of the casts she’s been in. You were spot on with the adult thing. I also feel like if she wasn’t a pretty white women, there won’t be forgiveness as fast. I do believe that she won’t cause trouble here on out, and I sure being a mom is a big part of that because that is the ultimate change, but there is something that holds me back.

[@hazelsingh3887]

Good god who let her into Pride? We need the queer community up there, allies can support from the sidelines. Also, I don’t even know how much work Lea has done for the queer community. If she had dedicated her life to the cause I wouldn’t feel so weird.

[@toniharris2143]

Lea has worked for people with Aids, animals rights made money for children medical care and for gays killed in Orlando at that bar. She has done quite a lot of humanity work. Much more than the people who tried to cancel her. If it wasn't for Lea Glee would have ended when Cory died. At least she didn't comment spousal abuse. She never talks bad about any co workers. Always would acknowledge there work. This was the first time I watch anything by this person and it is the last. I have found Kevin, Heather, Jenna and Chris to have all treated Lea badly in interviews from the beginning on Glee. So why are they not cancelled?

[@selmajabr3514]

@@toniharris2143 Admittedly you make some great points. I was not aware that she did all those things so thanks for letting me know. However, I don’t think the other speaking ill of her or being standoffish to her in interviews because she wasn’t always the nicest person to them or others, is cancel material. We don’t know what fully went on BTS, but there must be a reason why they still don’t want much contact with her.

[@CM-yz3ze]

I feel like the reason why Lea Michele leaves a bad taste in so many people's mouth, is because it's their instincts telling them something's up. Is she undeniably talented? For sure. Is that enough? We'll see. It's not for me. If one day, more info comes out, I still don't think the people who enjoy her will change too much. It would have to be something heinous- I wonder if it'll ever come to that. How alike or unlike is she from the people she plays? In order to find out, we'll have to pay attention to her- isn't that what she wants anyways?

[@bigchez2855]

My favorite animal is Deinonychus antirrhopus, the raptor used as the physical inspiration for the Velociraptors in Jurassic Park. The discovery of Deinonychus served as the catalyst for our understanding of Dinosaurs being related to modern birds, and by it's discovery alone, we were able to completely recontextualize our understanding of both these long gone marvels, and the magnificent creatures that walk the Earth along with us today.

[@landoncox875]

I just know this was a plot by Ben Platts dad to distract from the awful reception of his DEH movie by casting Beanie as Fanny

[@DuncanPerkinsT]

idk how you put out such high quality videos at such a rapid pace, love your content keep it up

[@Metta1919]

When you said she performed Don’t rain on my parade on Tv many times … she even performed it at the Tonys before! I think it was in 2010? When she was not on broadway at all, I think she just performed because of glee at the time

[@foster2095]

🥺🥺pleek........ Pleek...... 🥺

[@andrewlocke6103]

I don't know a lick about any of this, but because it's Kayla, I watched, I learned, and I enjoyed. Thanks, doll!

[@NanSwiftie13]

I don't know if I have an actual favorite animal but I love pandas, soo cute!! My opinion is: Everyone deserves a second chance, I agree that it feels like broadway has been "trying to make it up to her" and maybe it's been a little too much, not anyone could get the opportunities Lea has been granted BUT although she wasn't a "little girl" when she was on glee she was very young, she had a natural, let's say diva attitude? and with the sudden hit of global fame it got worse, she lost her ground and behaved in an inexcusable way but again, she was very young and inexperienced with fame..People grow up, people get better, she stepped back for a while, she's a mother now, she could be better but a lot of people won't give her the chance and she deserves it if she wants it, everyone does and if acting and singing is her career she's gonna have to be in tv, movie, theater productions to get that chance

[@PeanutsAssorted]

First, very cliche Dog person here. Second it feels like Glee put it best when they had Kurt say "She may be difficult but boy can she sing" because that feels like it's the only fair way to describe Lea. She's always been somewhat difficult but god damn it when she opens her mouth you can't deny that voice, it's depressingly good that you can't help but go "I get why you'd want to have her just for that voice alone". I guess we have to just kind of hope that maybe the massive public backlash led to her doing some soul searching and changing her ways, notably haven't heard anything about her being a diva since then (she's under a microscope now, I'd have to assume that we'd hear about it if she had). It doesn't seem like she's going to go away, best we can hope is that she imprroved as a person.

[@JNDReacts]

I would just like to thank you for introducing me to the Colleen Ballanger rabbit hole with this video last week, because I was able to look into it and get somewhat caught up before she dropped the best worst “apology” video ever! And what’s extra funny is that her non-apology via song is such a typical Rachel Berry thing to do!

[@kula3368]

i think it's worth noting that having a bad reputation in showbiz does often not really come to ruin somebody's career (usually). her being on the show probably gave it more of a leg to stand on, and if it her being there makes that line go up thats all that really matters. i find both the attitude that we as random people on the internet can even hope to hold people we dont know "accountable" for anything and the attitude that shes some poor misunderstood sweetheart that needs to be defended from senseless attacks very corny and patronizing, but fans and haters are gonna do what they do.

[@Broadwayballoons95]

I unfortunately did not have a good experience with her .. when I saw her she made fun of me and disability and medical condition I have she made fun of the way I walked ..I lost all respects for her ..

[@Silverturtle83]

My fave animal is cats. Honestly I can’t find it in myself to be mad about Lea’s Funny Girl success bc it’s so damn narratively satisfying

[@abj6920]

I can't help but feel like the drama as it stands right now will be what old theater gays of the future will be arguing over in a "yass queen" vs "she's a monster" fashion. - And then she closed out the Tonys and honey, it was wonderful, show stopping. - SHE WASN'T EVEN ELIGIBLE TO BE ON THAT STAGE - I know, she's such a legend And so on and so forth, much like Barbra did it her time. Because broadway is a business, they like building their icons this way

[@Isaac-xc8bq]

In all honesty who was waiting for the camera to pan to Ben platt during dont rain on my parade during the broadcast

[@will3909]

It's almost 2am in England but this is definitely worth staying up a little longer for

[@witchingbrew3]

It's got existing as a theater kid exhausting. After the rise of Hamilton and the rise of Broadway divas, I just stopped getting involved in the fandom side of theater. And seeing how people like this get "embrace"... Im so effing over it. The bad really do win.

[@C00kie__]

I had to get off Twitter because so many “theatre fans” were gaslighting people’s very valid reasons for not supporting her “comeback”

[@gonzo102]

I made sure to see Funny Girl when Julie Benko (the alternate) was playing Fanny and she’s absolutely incredible! I covered up Lea’s face on the playbill as much as possible in pictures lol

[@andrewcassell5299]

Just found the channel today and so far you're awesome. My fav animal is the Llama

[@bleaf_]

Firstly, wow, impeccable taste again my favorite animal is also frogs. Well and rabbits. It's a tie. But anyways, something interesting about "Don't Rain on My Parade" is that I actually sang that song my senior year talent show just after Lea sang it on Glee (the show was biggest when I was in HS). I had, previously, been *absolutely terrified* to sing in public outside of choir where I blended with everyone else. And singing this at the talent show, by myself, even though I didn't win, was literally the biggest personal accomplishment of my life at that point. I sand solo in front of people and I did a good job! Yay! That song always represented that for me, and to a degree it always will. However, I cannot fucking STAND that song coming out of Lea's pipes. I never want to hear her sing it again. I think she's entitled, annoying, and being coddled despite her shitty behaviors because she's profitable. And as someone who used to be a big fan of Glee, I find it particularly morbidly fascinating that the real life Lea Michele is being treated the same way her character Rachel Berry always was - coddled and catered to at everyone else's expense because she's pretty and talented.

[@suz2590]

Your resentment is delicious.

[@danielapardo9776]

​@@suz2590a like for being funny but OC is right tho

[@bingovegas4867]

BRAVO!

[@kevinlewis9369]

What redemption arc? Retreating and waiting for criticism to pass isn’t a redemption arc. It’s business as usual.

[@christianratliff-mason6906]

You’re right. The only part is that it definitely speaks to how it’s ok to do it to Black people more than anyone

[@Daniel-ed9gn]

My favorite animal is probably turtles. I despise lea’s redemption arc. It’s disappointing to me that so quickly after broadway pledged to be better, it’s clear nothing is changing. Broadway forgives and protects abusers and has no morals. That said, I do think it is relevant that nothing bad has come out about lea’s behavior since she’s joined funny girl. It seems clear to me that she’s aware she cannot act that way anymore and is legitimately trying to be a good collaborator. The unfortunate part is that she’s probably only doing that because she has to, but who knows, maybe she has actually worked on herself. I doubt it though. The current rumor is that lea’s next thing will be a revival of chess. This is very scary and upsetting to me because this will give her a Tony, and also I will be faced with deciding whether to see one of my favorite musicals or not.

[@Swagguu]

Michele ALSO either opened or closed out (can’t remember) the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade in 2022 with a biiig Funny Girl performance. The powers that be have given her a thousand mile wide runway to glide down onto, and it feels a bit ick.

[@Chris24_]

I think the only place she’ll ever have success from here on out is out on Broadway, her career in Hollywood was flopping long before the controversies around happened in 2020 (that just seemed to solidify it) a lot of people tend to not realize that for an actress who’s been around for around 2 decades, she barely has any acting credits to her name in film TV. I do fully believed she’s a blackballed name in Hollywood, and the only reason that hasn’t translated to her broadway career is due to the reality that the demographic of broadway is VERY different of that in mainstream media.

[@kxu1]

I hope you get to see it with Lea. I saw her last Sept and it was 2 hours 50 mins. Saw it again last weekend and now it’s only 2.5 hours. The pace has really picked up. And it’s not slow at all.

[@brianmurray6056]

personally i’m a hippo fan. thanks for this one, GOD THE TONY THING YOU NAILED IT IT WAS INSUFFERABLE. also the worst part of this all is her voice doesn’t even do much for me. it’s just like….really good and that’s it. not to mention the annoying yodels she does at the beginning of every goddamn phrase she sings

[@partylikeits1066]

This is how I feel about 90% of broadway singing tho 💀

[@bleaf_]

Yeah and tbh? I'm tired of her being treated as the new Barbra Streisand. Barb can sing at almost any register at almost any style or pace, and she can belt it like Broadway. All LM can do is belt. Anytime she had to sing a non-Broadway song on Glee I always was like "ehhh".

[@faiyaz9768]

@@bleaf_that’s why her being better than everyone in glee was so peculiar to me because her voice is very repetitive she’s talented but her voice was more yodeling than anything Barbra Streisand

[@annak9096]

she just has a standard broadway voice! she's good but honestly, she's nothing special. we could find some other broadway "it" girl who sounds exactly like that and doesn't have a history of creating a hostile work environment for her black colleagues and costars

[@PaolaMancera]

Dog’s are my favorite animal. And what you said in the end about cancellation meaning basically nothing is TRUE!!! No one who has ever been cancelled has ever suffered consequences to their career. It’s kinda bleak.

[@yoavweinberg2469]

Omg I walk past August Wilson to work as well! Slay ❤

[@andyshouldbewriting]

I don't have anything to say about Lea Michelle but my favourite animal is a giraffe. They're so cute and weird and I don't get any opportunities to ever declare how much I love them 😂💚

[@samuelgalea7679]

“On a high right now “ Literally haven’t heard of her since glee

[@dickginkowski6071]

Dogs. People can grow up and her performance was spectacular and well received. That said, alternate Julie Benko earned her stripes.

[@skunkjo3195]

I like lizards, crocs, n sharks. I haven't been asked my favorite animal since I was a kid. It's equal parts corny and wholesome which is honestly a vibe. Good vid too lol

[@Adyma1997]

when lea michele gets bad press it just reminds me of the king of the hill meme like "if those kids could read they'd be very upset"

[@quenepacrossing4675]

My favorite animal is manatee! Also i would love a video about colleen!

[@AlicePerezSoprano]

I thought the funny girl performance was because they needed to fill the time slot because of the writers strike

[@mshalo1822]

Funny Girl paid for a performance slot. Those performances aren't free to the producers.

[@dannielleburrus6117]

This is the first time while watching Kayla's videos where I can't agree at all. Who knew Lea Michelle would be my dividing line? I really enjoy Kayla's work and respect her opinion even if I do not agree.

[@Jgotmilk555]

"Yes, I do wish that I was rich & famous & I had a lot of money." lol, you & me both! Great videos!

[@purpleyoshiaz]

My favorite animal is a frog as well! I also love dogs!

[@emyconfer9641]

honestly the tony’s choosing to give her a peformance over simply airing the design, choreo and orchestration tony’s on prime time was so incredibly upsetting to me.

[@tylerprinceshow]

Ignore the trolls! I love your take/ 🦒🦒🦒

[@oscarlover100]

Was Lea ever considered originally for this production? I never got that impression.

[@glennnelson-ot8wc]

As always, haters will hate. Before you condemn someone's reason for being given a part, she the show. Box office for what ever reason (of course it is because of Lea) has jumped. Have tiy ever watcged a Fannie Bruce clip on You Tube? Watch one, You will see the similarities of Ms. Brice and Ms. Michele. I saw FG with LM and Bam what a performance. Her vocals are some of the best I have ever heard on B'way, no I did not see Ms. Streisand, However just as in Hello Dolly, I feel Ms. Streisand was to young to really get the most out of Fannie. After all SHE didn't win the Tony that you, it went to Carol Channing for Dolly. Your 14 minutes was a waist of my time.

[@heyimdeejay]

unless lea's next project is jane austen sings i don't want it XD also favorite animal is a dolphin

[@leeleeloosies]

i love penguins - they're just silly lil guys

[@jeffreywillstewart]

Oh and she was on Time Magazine's 100 most influential. This year.

[@rubydown3329]

Gotta love bears 🐻🐻 I loved her in Scream Queens... Maybe I just liked seeing her in a neck brace 💁

[@alyzu4755]

Im not sure I can choose a favorite animal. 😊 I watched the Tony awards, but had to change the channel when this number came on. She just rubs me the wrong way, and always has.

[@Edelara]

I think frogs are cool too. I like garden snakes a lot too, like they're real cute

[@jacquelinecallejas1390]

I really laughed when the person said we will be hearing Lea singing this song every year till we die. Got to admit I enjoy her voice a lot and have and will buy tickets to see her. I'm not dating her so if she can find people willing to get a paycheck to work with her, I'll go see her.

[@johncamacho6657]

I still remember enjoying Charice Pempegno wiping the floor with her on Glee.

[@ellaelliott4415]

I saw Beanie on Broadway and I actually really liked her interpretation. I know not many people were fans but I'd watch rather Beanie in Funny Girl every single time than Lea Michele

[@adithyasuresh1814]

Panda's my favourite. I've been a Miranda sings/Colleen Ballinger/Ballinger family fan as a kid. Please make a video of the whole shenanigans Kayla ❤

[@bosserman444]

Please do a video on Colleen balinger. Thanks

[@yassebro6948]

Aren't all theater kids annoying and selfish? I'm glad she was canceled, don't want to see her on my TV screen ever again

[@HeySlothKid]

Oh man I have so many favourite animals but my to three are otters, sloths, and my 2 cats 😂

[@thecavalieryouth]

Elephants 🐘💕 such majestic creatures

[@oliviadodge4612]

🦅

[@tjvanderwalt92]

No no no no. SHE IS CANCELLED!

[@MollyKillers]

My favorite animal is the manned wolf!

[@AmieeBOT]

My favorite animals are lions. No one has ever denied she can sing. Her acting is.. fine. I think Julie Benko is the real winner here.

[@manantial773]

No, she is just the understudy.

[@AmieeBOT]

@@manantial773 1. That’s very rude to say “just the understudy”. You clearly don’t understand the business and how things work. 2. This is only her 3rd broadway show and her next one is going to be starring in a brand new musical. So I would say that, yes, Julie is winning.

[@faesfaerie]

I’ll never get over the fact that Glee made an entire generation believe that Lea is Jewish. When in fact, she is not.

[@kyny889]

Favorite animal is a fish. I believe if we don’t support someone trying to improve then people won’t try. Lord knows we could all use some improvement. Don’t we want people to try to get better? The Funny Girl cast and crew was nothing but complimentary about working with Lea also, Lea made room for Julie Benko as an ALTERNATE instead of an understudy which Beanie refused to do (no offense to Beanie, I just think true ALTERNATES are important to give more hard working performers a true opportunity.

[@Zyxie_Zyxie_Zyxie]

No ❤️

[@Octobris]

I love bumblebees.

[@waddledeedeee]

15 minutes ago i discovered that lea michelle and rachel berry are not the same person. anyways, amazing video as always, and my condolences to the glee cast and all the good theater kids. also, my favorite animals are ducks. theyre very cute and huggable and they walk funny

[@reyemilio00]

"Cuz, yeah...the bitch can sing" cracked me up! I'm probably a broken record at this point, but I love your videos!!! As for Lea Michele, I think I'm similarly torn on her current status. On the one hand, she was BORN for this role, and has the pipes and the acting chops to pull it off. On the other hand, it's tough seeing someone treat their costars like shit and face little to no consequences. My favorite animal is the Cheetah 🐆.

[@SarahCarvela]

Came here hoping you’d talk about the Tonys thing. That beyond pissed me off when I saw her there. It made no sense to me.

[@aimstar11]

It's only worked because she's ALWAYS been a theatre kid. It's unfortunately uncommon knowledge that they grow up in a culture of being unable to disconnect from their characters, taking method acting to the extreme, directors turning blind eyes when stuff is going on backstage, being told to do things that at the time probably didn't see or feel problematic, and when your conditioned to this kind of behavior from such an early age, they don't feel empathy or understanding of how a lot of what happened was probably really f**ked up!! Think Kevin Spacey, Brendan Urie (I know he's not a theatre kid, but he basically is one!), Colleen Ballinger - they are lorded in their safe spaces, but in the real world.....

[@womenwantmefishfearme]

My fav animal is a platypus!

[@toomanyoldsports]

My favorite animal are aye ayes! They’re so fucked up looking I love them so much.

[@Santi-unknown]

I love ur channel so much!!!

[@buihuy5211]

I really like lizard in general

[@NorrehLlain]

Foxes are snazy! Please do a Colleen Ballinger video!!

[@BuoyBlaise]

omgg please do a Colleen Ballinger video

[@anniee5487]

i like bears

[@user-eg2vh8me1z]

My favorite animals are deer

[@BuildingHP]

Could it be, instead, called the “Ongoing Leah Michelle Experiment” ? Also fave animal are Birds

[@TheAbigailDee]

I'm boring! I'm a cat person. And honestly I just remember seeing so much hurt and shock from different black performers when she was cast in Funny Girl and that will always stick in my head. The world knew and knows. And she's celebrated. That sends such a message to people of colour, but black people especially. Anyway Stan Alex Newell!

[@anthonyL1995]

I'm not going to pretend that she can't sing. She can. Are her renditions of the songs better than Barbra's? Eh... No I don't think so. Barbra has sung the standards from that show so many times and reinterpreted them so many times that while the OBC and movie cast recordings might not be Barbra's best renditions of those songs in all cases there are other renditions that strike it out of the park. She also had a recording career previous to Funny Girl that most people don't realize until they look at the dates of when her albums were released. Lea can sing the songs very well and I will admit that a lot of the other cast on her version of the album succeeds further than a lot of the performers in the OBC and movie cast recordings. Will she continue to work post Funny Girl? Yes. Will she ever have another hit TV show or an extensive movie career like Barbra? Or extensive singing career? I very much doubt it. Barbra is a once in a generation situation who makes the crossover from Broadway voice to mainstream success while still being labeled a Broadway diva by some. However, while she has done two broadway albums, Funny Girl, a ton of movie musicals, and one or two other stage musicals previous to Funny Girl... The fact is that the OBC and movie cast recordings are looked at as Barbra albums not Broadway cast recordings. If you have those in your collection it's more likely that you are a Barbra fan than a Broadway fan. That's not to say the two worlds don't cross over. Lea? She was on Glee... Which somehow still holds strong for a select group even with all the loss associated with the show, the scandal linked towards one of those losses, and now the fact that Lea herself has been called out by a majority of the cast as being problematic... Jenna and Kevin not wanting to speak out so that she will guest on their podcast does not reflect the majority of that casts opinion on her... Again she is not going to stop working. She will do another musical. I know people keep saying Wicked for her but people... Even though that would secure tickets into the theatre... They can't afford Lea because they know she is a draw and Wicked already makes money without broadcasting widely who is in the show. So... Headlining revivals whether in the ORC or replacements for extensions. Which you would presume she would be fine with. After all her crazy fans keep screaming that she is a mother... You would presume she wants to be home with her child. As for a singing career? Whether she can sing or not doesn't matter. Broadway voices don't sell enough to justify it. If anything the next generations Barbra was split between Kristin and Idina... Kristin got the TV/ movie career... Idina got the singing career. As for the next generation of that? Hard to say... It's not Lea though. I'm not sure if her publicist deserves a raise or to be fired? Her singing at the Tony's just felt random and more people were left confused than cheering. We know the official answer is going to continue being that they needed to fill time. Did they though? That's only 3-4 minutes of time which could have gone into the commercial budget or any number of things... We all get it... She sang the song a decade ago at the Tony's which was about as warranted back then as it was now. She made sure to be seen multiple times before that. She made sure to get a picture with Alex after they won the Tony. It's not lost on anyone that Alex won and got their start on Glee... It's also bizarre that she was sitting only a few rows back from Ben Platt and his diva fiance who we all know are "best friends" with Beanie.

[@Elphaboy]

You don’t always have to be visually appealing, William Ivey Long seems to have completely escaped cancellation all together

[@pigeondance]

my fav animal is a rat 💕

[@09connorr]

I just saw the show a few days ago. Leah Michelle was phenomenal in that role. The show was made much better by her performance.

[@crimson1194]

People need to learn that not everyone deserves redemption. Life doesnt work like that. Life isnt a tv show or movie written by an omipotent tgird author

[@nataliekhanyola5669]

this!

[@cleeks5549]

Don't really care about Lea Michele one way or another but I'm honestly surprised there are people defending her in the comments - I thought she was sort of universally disliked lol