Lea Michele breaks her silence
Lea Michele has spoken out for the first time since Cory Monteith’s death.
The 26-year-old actress was left "inconsolable" when her 31-year-old boyfriend and Glee co-star Monteith died from a toxic combination of heroin and alcohol on 13 July, and has now broken her silence on the actor’s passing.
Posting a picture from her private collection, Michele wrote simply: "Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love & support. Cory will forever be in my heart (sic)."
Meanwhile, Glee co-stars Jayma Mays and Kevin McHale have also addressed Monteith’s passing.
Mays – who plays school guidance counsellor Emma Pillsbury – told E! News: "There are so many things to remember about Cory. He was such a fun guy to be around and I have nothing but amazing, wonderful memories of working with him.
"I have those memories to always take forward with me."
Meanwhile, McHale – who plays glee club member Artie – wrote on Instagram: "So thankful that I and so many of you got to experience Cory’s overwhelming kindness, humor and talent.
"There will not be a day that goes by that I won’t miss him. Thank you all for your incredible support and patience (sic)."
Last week, Michele and Glee creator Ryan Murphy led a private memorial for the show’s cast and crew, and Murphy revealed that he was letting Michele take the lead with regards to Glee’s future.
Thes show’s fifth season will resume shooting in late August to film some episodes – including a tribute to Monteith – and Murphy said: "Ultimately the person who made the decision was Lea, who felt that the best thing for the cast and crew was to be together and to get back to work and be together every day and talk about our memories of him."
"I’ve never met any 26-year-old person stronger than Lea," Murphy added.
In an interview given shortly before Monteith’s death, Michele revealed that Monteith made her feel as though she could do "anything in the world".
She said: "It’s more interesting having a relationship with someone you work with because we get more attention because we play boyfriend and girlfriend on the show and we are also in real life. But he is the best person I know, he has made my life so incredible and I am so thankful for him and not only to have him as a partner but also as a co-worker.
"It is important to have someone that supports you and encourage you, someone that makes you feel that you are unstoppable, that you can do anything in the world because you have him."
