Glee Reboot: Lee Michele’s reported return to Glee as Rachel Berry has some Gleeks excited, while some bring up the allegations around her past behaviour. Yes, Rachel Berry is apparently getting another term on Glee, and the fandom is already having feelings about it.
Following the reports of Lee Michele’s return as Rachel Berry for the upcoming Glee reboot, viewers on X (formerly Twitter) have been reacting with everything from unfiltered excitement to outright frustration. For some viewers, Rachel Berry singing again is enough to make the revival worth watching, while for others, her reported casting pulls back the conversation about the allegations surrounding her treatment of co-stars. Some viewers opine that if we talk about accountability in Hollywood, that should be applied to everyone.
Glee-boot has already set the fandom arguing!
Glee Reboot: Lee Michele’s Return Has Some Fans Waiting For Her to Sing Again
People on X seem thrilled about Rachel Berry’s return because Michele’s vocal ability appears to be a pretty significant part of what made the musicality of the show. X user @ms_ifee made their excitement pretty clear, writing, “i’m extremely happy…ugh i get to see lea michele belt those notes again”, adding that they were going to be “insufferable” now.
Another user, @moomside, seemed excited, writing, “wait for me by lea michele completely acapella and running along hallway alone …. our gleek orpheus……”
The music was a massive part of the original series’ appeal, and for some viewers, the possibility of hearing Michele perform as Rachel is reason enough to be excited. Of course, the excitement exists alongside a much less enthusiastic response to the casting news.
Viewers Point to Allegations of Lee Michele’s Treatment of Co-Stars
Some viewers do not seem excited about Lee Michele’s return and follow the allegations that have followed her public image. X user @aurorypoly criticised the casting by bringing up allegations of racist behaviour around Michele and her co-stars, writing, “lea michele only had good things to say about todrick’s raceplay fantasy of a play. lea michele has a ton of racist allegations against her for almost every show she’s been in with people of color. notably her Black co-stars. lea michele is not a kind or caring person.”
Similarly, another user @ntnpdd reminded people writing that “Lea michelle has Made her poc co-stars feel uncomfortable on set.”
X user @mermeggles described Michele as undeserving of a reboot based on accounts of her behaviour, adding, “Personally, I find her obnoxious. She can hit notes, sure. But the squint/head dip thing she does while trying to emote is God awful. Others are more deserving of fame.”
The reactions show that the casting announcement has reopened a conversation that some viewers feel was never addressed properly. Michele’s return is not simply a nostalgic reunion for them but raises questions about whose experiences get taken seriously when production brings back a familiar star.
An X user @yangteith had a fairly different take on the issue and wrote that they were irked by the people opposing Michele, writing, “i’m also irked bc there are people who i literally know who are saying that lea michele shouldnt be involved with the gleeboot… but yet these same people will glorify men in the industry who have been accused of the exact same behavior.”
The question itself raises another issue altogether: the question of scrutinising women in entertainment while male celebrities continue to enjoy devoted fanbases despite serious allegations against them.
X Is Talking About The Complicated Glee Legacy
Another interesting layer to the conversation is the original Glee itself. X user @texasrozanov pointed out that the series was “offensive” while also one of the most progressive shows on television at that time, writing, “the thing you have to keep in mind about glee is that it was simultaneously offensive… and also the most progressive show on television at the time.”
User @DirtySweetStyle highlighted, “Chris Colfer, I feel, actually helped the show a lot bc he auditioned and they didn’t have the “flaming gay effeminate kid” as a character but wrote Kurt in for him, as well as Mercedes as the “Sassy opinionated black girl,” bc YES these characters are USUALLY caricatures but ALSO….. these people DO exist!”
The new series has an opportunity to acknowledge the complicated legacy rather than expecting nostalgia to do all the work.
What Do X Reactions Suggest?
Lee Michele’s return as Rachel Berry would mean different things to different people. For some, the return means the promise of those big vocals all over again, while for others, the casting brings up the allegations and concerns they do not believe should be brushed aside, and for some, the entire debate also raises questions about the consistency of celebrity accountability and gender bias.
The reboot may perhaps give viewers plenty to argue about eventually, but for now, the reactions to Lee Michele’s reported return make one thing rather clear: bringing back a nostalgic show also means bringing back the conversations attached to it.
What are your thoughts about Lee Michele’s reported return as Rachel Berry? Tell us in the comments.
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