Back in 2012, “Glee” co-starsCory Monteithand Lea Michele were television’s “it” couple.
And their real-life romance was so swoon-worthy that fans dubbed them “Monchele.”
The tragic incident revealed that Monteith and Michele’s relationship was perhaps more complex than the two let on.
In the years since, however, much more has come out.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available.
Visit theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration websiteor contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
All that sleuthing, however, did nothing to calm Monteith’s nerves.
When he finally saw Michele for the first time in the flesh, the young actor was rattled.
“The first impression I had when I met Lea was, I was intimidated.
Honestly, I was.
I was intimidated because [she is] very talented,” he confessed in the same interview.
In some ways, Monteith’s initial reaction was justified.
Monteith, on the other hand, knew almost nothing about the world of musicals.
Luckily, these differences didn’t stop the pair from connecting, both onscreen and in real life.
“We’re great friends.
We’ve become really close over the show, but we’re just friends.
We’re not dating,” he insisted in a December 2009 interview (via People).
Their relationship, however, was a well-kept secret.
“Nobody really caught on,” she shared.
Cory Monteith and Lea Michele broke up
Lea Michele and Cory Monteith’s initial relationship was short-lived.
According toElle, the two only “briefly dated” before transitioning back to being just friends.
At the time, they were just getting used to their newfound stardom.
Luckily, they were able to keep their split out of the tabloids.
However, this isn’t entirely surprising, given Monteith’s fierce desire for privacy.
The Canadian actor was unusually closed off about his romantic life.
Michele then swooped in, saying, “Not like he would tell us.”
Monteith confirmed Michele’s assertion, adding, “I stay private about that stuff.
Nonetheless, their relationship did little to curb Michele’s natural chemistry with Monteith.
This announcement put Michele over the moon.
Years later, she admitted just how much that moment meant to her.
“It’s one of my favorite memories,” she toldEllen DeGeneresin a 2013 interview.
And I was so happy.”
Just because Monteith made the announcement, though, that doesn’t mean it came naturally to him.
“He was such a private person,” Michele admitted to the talk show host.
Even so, Michele treasured their relationship.
“I lived every day feeling like the luckiest girl in the whole world,” she said.
Not everyone, however, was always so enamored with her cooking.
The actor herself admitted toJay Lenothat some of her culinary ventures left much to be desired.
It would be difficult to criticize Monteith for his hesitance toward his girlfriend’s meal, however.
“I think the eggs were raw and not cooked,” she said.
“It wasn’t very good!
But he was a good sport.”
Thanks to Monteith’s planning, Michele found herself engaging in some wild escapades.
News, “Cory took me on some adventures, some crazy activities.
I was scaling mountains and driving down incredibly dangerous roads.”
“It was really, really awesome.
I had the best time ever,” she gushed.
The “Glee” actress capped off her trip with anInstagrampost that hinted at future Big Island getaways.
“Last look at paradise … Till next time, of course,” she wrote.
But Michele wasn’t the only brunette working hard on the book.
According to the actress, Cory Monteith played a major role in helping her make edits.
He was especially vocal when it came to helping Michele decide which stories were actually hers to tell.
“It wasn’t like I came out when I was 23, and everything was great.
Rumors quickly began to circulate that the actor wasn’t actually Monteith’s girlfriend but rather his bride-to-be.
“They were about to be married.
I’m sure Lea is heartbroken,” Safarti told the publication.
“We were done.
“[The song] is about my last conversation that I had with him,” she explained.
Mine were that as well.”
It served as the final song on Michele’s 2014 album “Louder,” her solo record debut.
Now that it’s really coming out it’s unbelievable,” she toldBillboard.
In 2019, the vocalist and actor marriedbusinessman Zandy Reichin a romantic Northern California ceremony (viaPeople).
Just over a year later, the couple welcomed a son, whom they named Ever, according toET.
While Michele has found love again, the star has not forgotten about Monteith.
She continues to keep his spirit alive by honoring her late beau’s wishes for the world.
And Michele has done just that.
The singer has done her best to include his memory in her quest for donations.
In her fundraisingInstagramposts for Chrysalis, Michele has often included photographs of the late “Glee” star.
In that sense, the actor has managed to help the charity in Monteith’s name.
Michele explained her decision, saying, “I have never watched the episode.
Critics have also noted how the episode respectfully avoided the nature of his death (viaThe Hollywood Reporter).
For Michele, however, recording that episode was one of the most challenging moments of her career.
However, she didn’t want any special treatment.
“I said I don’t want to be treated with kid gloves,” she explained.
