Those who have been online today are likely to know that Lea Michele, after some hiatus, has landed a big Broadway project. She will be replacing Beanie Feldstein in the "Funny Girl" production.
While this news made some fans rejoice, especially those who loved the actress in "Glee," it also sparked some violent reactions, more so when her reputation is not as untained. It also reignites the feud she had with ex-Glee star, Samantha Ware, who not only said this casting meant Broadway is certainly very white, but also said its disappointing to see a "tormentor" still continuing with a career, unscathed.
Beanie just announced that she would be leaving the show on July 31, over two months earlier than previously stated, claiming "creative issues" as the cause for her departure.
"The people I have had the great joy of bringing Funny Girl to life with every night, both on and off the stage, are all remarkably talented and exceptional humans," she said in a statement, "and I hope you continue to join them on Henry Street after I depart."
It's not clear how she feels to be replaced by Lea Michele, but what is clear is that at least one person did not like this - Samantha Ware.
Ware accused Lea of perpetrating "traumatic microaggressions" against her during Season 6 of "Glee" in the summer of 2020, so she cannot understand why Michele still gets to land big projects.
"LMAO remember when you made my first television gig a living hell?!?!" she wrote in a since-deleted tweet. "Cause I'll never forget. I believe you told everyone if [you] had the opportunity you would 'sh-t in my wig!' Amongst other traumatic microagressions that made me question a career in Hollywood..." Lea later addressed Samantha's claims and apologized for "any pain" she might have caused.
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After this casting decision, Ware took to Twitter and stensibly addressed the news in a series of tweets. She said she is affected and that she is well-aware that she's Black and that White people are protected in both Broadway and Hollywood. While she did not name names, it leaves no doubt to who she is referring to.
Samantha addressed to her former Glee co-stars Amber Riley and Alex Newell in a subsequent tweet as well, stating, "Their experience was not mine and mines was not theirs."
She also reposted a tweet from actor and writer Ryan Ken that stated, "It's wild that the decision to tell the truth about the people who tormented you at work is a career risk, but you can stay booked and busy as one of the tormentors."
Overall, it is easy to see how she feels about the whole thing. Whether this can ignite a full-fledged feud between her and Lea Michele's fans remains to be seen. Whether the casting decision can be altered remains a question too.
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