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View GalleryEverything We Learned About Lea Michele From Samantha Ware’s Tell-All Interview
Samantha Marie Ware is spilling all the tea after she claimed Lea Michele bullied her on the set of Glee. In a new tell-all interview with Variety, the 28-year-old actress didn’t hold back while detailing her experience with the mom-to-be.
On June 1, Samantha accused the New York native of exhibiting racist behavior after the Broadway star tweeted about the Black Lives Matter movement following George Floyd’s death. “George Floyd did not deserve this. This was not an isolated incident and it must end. #BlackLivesMatter,” Lea tweeted on May 29.
In response to Lea’s tweet, Samantha, who appeared on Glee’s sixth season, shared her experience with the star of the show. “LMAO remember when you made my first television gig a living hell?” Samantha wrote. “‘Cause I’ll never forget. I believe you told everyone that if you had the opportunity you would ‘s–t in my wig’ amongst other traumatic microaggressions that made me question a career in Hollywood …”
Several other castmates came forward to back up Samantha’s allegations and show their support. “GIRL, YOU WOULDNT LET ME SIT AT THE TABLE WITH THE OTHER CAST MEMBERS CAUSE ‘I DIDNT BELONG THERE.’ F–K YOU LEA,” Dabier Snell alleged on Twitter, while Josh Blumenkranz recalled an incident on set.
“I remember when she yelled [at] you when she was doing a scene with Chris [Colfer]. You legit did not do anything,” the actor, who briefly appeared on the show in 2015, said. “Her apology to you even seemed fake. I’m sorry you had to deal with that. You don’t deserve that kind of treatment.”
Lea responded to the allegations on June 3, claiming she didn’t “remember” saying such hurtful things in a lengthy Instagram post. “Whether it was my privileged position and perspective that caused me to be perceived as insensitive or inappropriate at times or whether it was just my immaturity and me being unnecessarily difficult, I apologize for my behavior.”
Following Lea’s public apology, Samantha shared even more information about what transpired between them on the set of Glee.
Scroll below to see what Samantha said in her tell-all interview.
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Everything We Learned About Lea Michele From Samantha Ware’s Tell-All Interview
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Things Were Rocky From the Start
Samantha explained “it was very evident” Lea didn’t like her from the very start. “It was after I did my first performance, that’s when it started – the silent treatment, the stare-downs, the looks, the comments under her breath, the weird passive-aggressiveness. It all built up.”
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No One Messed With the Queen Bee
While the Lion King star was taken aback by Lea’s behavior, the rest of the cast was used to her impolite ways. After getting a glimpse at the Scream Queen alum’s attitude, she spoke up but nothing came of it. She says producers “Just shrugged it off, like ‘That’s her,’” Samantha added.
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She Came For Samantha’s Job
The What/If actress feared Lea would take her position right out from under her — especially after the New Year’s Eve alum told her she doesn’t “deserve to have that job.” While Samantha understood there was a hierarchy on set, she believes Lea was “abusing her power.”
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She Doesn’t Acknowledge Her Privilege
“All that her apology did was affirm that she hasn’t learned anything,” Samantha said, addressing Lea’s public response. “Am I calling Lea a racist? No. Does Lea have racist tendencies? I think Lea suffers from a symptom of living in this world in an industry that is tailored to white people.”
She Doesn’t Acknowledge Her Privilege
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Lea Sent Samantha a Personal Apology Letter
According to Variety, Lea made an effort to get in touch with her former castmate, but Samantha refused to give out her personal contact information. Communicating through Samantha’s representative, Lea sent her an apology letter.
Things Were Rocky From the Start
Samantha explained “it was very evident” Lea didn’t like her from the very start. “It was after I did my first performance, that’s when it started – the silent treatment, the stare-downs, the looks, the comments under her breath, the weird passive-aggressiveness. It all built up.”
No One Messed With the Queen Bee
While the Lion King star was taken aback by Lea’s behavior, the rest of the cast was used to her impolite ways. After getting a glimpse at the Scream Queen alum’s attitude, she spoke up but nothing came of it. She says producers “Just shrugged it off, like ‘That’s her,’” Samantha added.
She Came For Samantha’s Job
The What/If actress feared Lea would take her position right out from under her — especially after the New Year’s Eve alum told her she doesn’t “deserve to have that job.” While Samantha understood there was a hierarchy on set, she believes Lea was “abusing her power.”
She Doesn’t Acknowledge Her Privilege
“All that her apology did was affirm that she hasn’t learned anything,” Samantha said, addressing Lea’s public response. “Am I calling Lea a racist? No. Does Lea have racist tendencies? I think Lea suffers from a symptom of living in this world in an industry that is tailored to white people.”
She Doesn’t Acknowledge Her Privilege
Lea Sent Samantha a Personal Apology Letter
According to Variety, Lea made an effort to get in touch with her former castmate, but Samantha refused to give out her personal contact information. Communicating through Samantha’s representative, Lea sent her an apology letter.
