Lea Michele

Lea Michele Sarfati, known professionally as Lea Michele, began her career on Broadway at the tender age of eight, debuting as a replacement Young Cosette in Les Misérables (1995‑1996) and later originating the role of Wendla Bergmann in the groundbreaking Spring Awakening (2006‑2008). She quickly became a staple of the New York theatre scene, appearing in productions such as Ragtime, Fiddler on the Roof, and Les Misérables concert performances, while also lending her voice to the animated film Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night. Her early stage work earned her critical acclaim and a Drama Desk nomination, setting the stage for a successful transition to television.

In 2009, Michele catapulted to global fame as Rachel Berry on the Fox musical series Glee, a role crafted especially for her by creator Ryan Murphy. During her six‑year tenure she garnered Emmy, Golden Globe, and Grammy nominations, while her recordings with the cast produced multiple Billboard hits. Beyond acting, she pursued a solo music career, releasing four studio albums—Louder (2014), Places (2017), Christmas in the City (2019), and Forever (2021)—and authored two best‑selling books, Brunette Ambition and You First. Michele returned to Broadway in 2022 to portray Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, earning widespread critical praise and reaffirming her status as a versatile performer. Her personal life includes a marriage to entrepreneur Zandy Reich in 2019 and two children, and she remains active in philanthropy, advocacy, and various brand partnerships.