Glee's Lea Michele: I'm in better shape now than ever before

SINGING and dancing all day on the biggest telly show in the world have got Glee leading lady Lea Michele in the best shape of her life.

And you'd be hard-pressed to convince Lea the price she has paid in sweat hasn't been worth it for global fame as Rachel Berry.

The stunning 24-year-old said: "You know, I am not really a dancer. So the choreography really is a challenge for me.

"But I am in better shape now than ever before. I could come out with a Glee fitness video now."
It would be one of the few marketing opportunities the show hasn't tackled.

Since the first series aired in 2009 in America and January 2010 in the UK, the cast have sold more than 13 million digital singles, five million albums and even a karaoke game for the Wii.

They have released five soundtrack albums, three compilation albums, three EPs and an incredible 139 singles.

The cast will perform to billions at the Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, February 6.
Britney Spears, Gwyneth Paltrow, Olivia Newton-John and Josh Groban have all filmed cameos and the cast did a hugely popular Madonna music tribute episode.
The feel-good show has given her instant fame, award nominations and fans called Gleeks including famous faces such as Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lopez.

Lea, from New York's Bronx, said: "Oh, it's amazing.
"Every day I go to work, I have to pinch myself. I can't believe this is really happening to us.

"But we work long days, it's not an easy job."
The second series returns to British screens on Monday, and has Lea's career-driven Rachel as the central female character. Chatting at Paramount Studios, Los Angeles - which doubles for where Glee is set in Lima, Ohio - Lea seems at ease with her sudden worldwide fame.

Like the young cast of Twilight, the Glee stars have become massive stars to the very young, students and the young at heart. they are recognised everywhere they go.
"The fans have been incredible," she admitted. "I get a lot of emotional responses.

"Overall it's been very supportive. The fame is something I try not to think about too much.
"You need to be a little more careful when you go out. But again, the upside outweighs the downside."
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The reason for Glee's popularity is easy to pin dow n.
Like the Abba musical Mamma Mia!, it takes well-known songs and uses them to underscore the stories.

It mixes up show tunes with offerings from the likes of Katy Perry, Amy Winehouse, Rihanna and Queen.
Their use of Don't Stop Believin' resurrected rock dinosaurs Journey's career.
Coupled with this was the script's heartwarming positivity and relish in the not so-cool rather than the cool.

The show focuses on an American high school glee club called New Directions - a bunch of misfits and wannabes brought together by Spanish teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison).
The characters include Rachel's bullied songbird and her love-interest, the sporty Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith).

There's gay Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer), a singer who is bullied by the football team, wheelchair user Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) and mean-girl cheerleader Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron).

The misfits include diva Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley) and the show's bad boy Noah "Puck" Puckerman (Mark Salling).
Trying to destroy the club's joy is Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), the tracksuit-wearing head coach of the Cheerios cheerleading squad.

It looks fun to be in as well as fun to watch but behind the laughter there's a punishing schedule of rehearsal.
Lea said: "You know, there is no real typical day for me. I dance, I sing all the time.

"Sometimes I am having a hard time keeping up with Rachel's energy. But I am doing the best I can.

"The days are very long."
And that's coming from someone who has been working in showbusiness for 16 years.

Lea, born Lea Michele Sarfati, went to an open audition for a musical at eight years old and made her debut on Broadway in 1995 as a replacement in the role of Young Cosette in the original New York production of Les Mismrables.

She was also in Ragtime and Fiddler On The Roof before winning the lead role in Spring Awakening in 2006.
The cast went on to win a Grammy for best musical show album. Award nominations have followed her to Glee.

Last year, she was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy.
Time magazine listed her in the 100 Most Influential People in the World and FHM named her as their seventh sexiest women - the highest ranking new entry.

This year, she has once again been nominated for a Golden Globe for best telly actress - one of five nominations for the show.
But she faces stiff competition from Toni Collette, Edie Falco and Tina Fey.

Lea said: "I already feel so lucky to be on this TV show, which has made my life so awesome "Nominations are sprinkles on top of this already amazing sundae."

And she and the cast have also been nominated for two Grammys.
Lea's character Rachel wants to be a Barbra Streisand and now many are comparing them. She said: "It's very flattering.

"She's always been my role model, she's always been proud of who she was, she's always moved on, kept going.
"I believe in the same principles - never give up, always keep going."

Because of her character and because she's the lead female, some people may think Lea is a diva but she insisted she's driven and has "always believed in myself".
And she has words for any of her young fans.

"Stay strong, stay true to yourself. Don't let anyone change you.
"That's how I try to live my life."
source: dailyrecord.co.uk