Amber Riley and Others Accuse Lea Michele Of Racist Behavior On Set Of Glee After Michele Twee

Celebrity

Amber Riley and other 'Glee' co-stars are calling out Lea Michele for hypocrisy and perceived racism after Michele tweeted her support of #BlackLivesMatter.

Published on June 2, 2020

As the protests against police brutality continue in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, more celebrities are using their fame to raise awareness and spark change. Insecure star, Kendrick Sampson, has been documenting the protests taking place in LA – and actor Denzel Washington was also seen assisting LA residents. Actress Lea Michele is the latest to show some form of support but her former Glee co-stars are calling her out for hypocrisy, alleging that she showed anything but #BlackLivesMatter during their interactions with them.  

Lea Michele tweets in solidary of #BlackLivesMatter amid police brutality protests

Since the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed by a Minnesota police officer, millions around the country have banned together to protest against police brutality and are calling for the arrests and convictions of the officer who committed the crime – as well as the officers who stood idle and watched. 

Celebrities are using their platforms and participating, whether that’s via protests, donating bail money for protestors who are arrested, or using their voices on social media. Many are demanding that other celebrities who are not of color use their voices in opposition to police brutality as well. The latest to join the lines of solidarity is Michele. Michele tweeted her support on May 29, writing:

“George Floyd did not deserve this. This was not an isolated incident and it must end. #BlackLivesMatter.”

Amber Riley and other ‘Glee’ co-stars accuse Lea Michele of hypocrisy and claim Michele emulated racist behavior in the past

While Michele thought she was doing a good deed by expressing her empathy for Floyd’s death and insisting she supports the #BlackLivesMatter movement, her former Glee co-stars are calling her bluff.

According to them, Michele did not show the same attitude during their time on the popular FOX musical sitcom, particularly among the African American cast. Many are claiming Michele is hypocritical and hint toward her treating them differently because of the color of their skin. 

Samantha Marie Ware, who appeared on the sixth season of the show, tweeted that Michele was not welcoming to her on her inaugural acting gig. 

“LMAO remember when you made my first television gig a living hell?!?! Cause I’ll never forget. I believe you told everyone that if [you] had the opportunity you would ‘Sh*t in my wig!’ Amongst other traumatic microaggressions that made me question a career in Hollywood,” Ware alleged.

Another actor, Dabier Snell, who guest-starred in one episode alongside Michele, claimed Michele treated him like an outcast.

“Girl you wouldn’t let me sit at a table with the other cast members cause “I didn’t belong there F**k you Lea,” she wrote.

Riley responded to Snell and Ware’s accounts with a gif that read, “Get her Jade,” seeming to corroborate their claims. She followed up with a second gif of herself raising one finger in the air as if she was ready to interject and tell of her own experiences with Michele.

Related: ‘Glee’: Did Naya Rivera and Lea Michele Really Feud While Filming the Show?

The tweets aren’t the only recollections of former co-stars of Michele who’ve recounted tense moments with the actress. Naya Rivera, who is of mixed descent, wrote about her relationship with Michele in her 2014 memoir.

Rivera alleged that Michele was revengeful anytime she complained about anything on set and assumed that Rivera was targeting her. Things got so bad that she alleged Rivera did not speak to her at all during season six.

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