Glee Chris Colfer and Mike O’Malley Have Reunion

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Chris Colfer’s latest reunion is for the gleeks.

 

Chris, known for his role in “Glee” as Kurt Hummel, documented a heartwarming reunion with his onscreen father, Mike O’Malley. In a picture posted by Chris, both men are seen smiling broadly for the camera, embracing warmly.

 

It’s always a delight to bump into family at the airport,” Chris posted on Instagram on Sept. 11 with a heartwarming picture. “@therealmikeomalley I love you, Dad!

 

And the Yes, Dear alum was quick to gush about the reunion and Chris’ upcoming book tour.

 

Mike, who played Burt Hummel on the series for six seasons, commented: “This boy is like a rock star now! The kid who used to be the kicker on our football team can play QB now! I couldn’t be prouder of this individual or more in awe of the accomplishments CC has already made. This is just the beginning! Let’s schedule a book tour!

 

On his Instagram Story, Mike expressed his fondness for Chris by saying, “This guy is the ideal TV child any TV father could hope for.

Recently, Chris has had the opportunity to catch up with some of McKinley High’s most talented actors, including his former on-screen spouse Darren Criss, during the summer break.

 

In June, following Darren’s win of the Tony Award for his performance in Broadway’s “Maybe Happy Ending“, Chris marked the occasion by sharing photos from their meeting up after the awards ceremony.

Darren won a Tony!! He shared this news on Instagram, June 9th, with photos of us together holding the statue. Yet, he carelessly left it with me unattended! Bravo, my friend! I’m filled with pride for you and couldn’t imagine anyone more deserving. Keep shining, @darrencriss @maybehappyending.

 

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase that sentence as follows: During my stint on Broadway, I was fortunate to have the backing of my fellow Glee cast members Lea Michele and Dianna Agron, who shared the screen with me and Chris Colfer on our hit series from 2006-2015.

In the month of April, Lea posted a set of photos showing her, Dianna, and Darren following his Tony Award-winning performance, where they were seen together.

 

On April 10th, Lea (my stunning friend from high school who played Rachel Berry on the Fox show) posted on Instagram about spending an evening out with us and some other former classmates. The caption read: “Came to watch our fellow alumnus shine on Broadway.

For more secrets from Glee’s iconic run, keep reading…

In the years following the conclusion of “Glee,” Ryan Murphy looked back at its impact on popular culture and shared insights about the tumultuous atmosphere that existed off-screen.

He shared with Entertainment Weekly that it was a time in his life that was both the most incredible and the most challenging. He further confessed, “There was an abundance of disagreements among us. Many were involved romantically and then broke up. Looking back, it prepared me remarkably for parenthood.

Additionally, he pondered over his tenure on the program, occasionally expressing a tinge of remorse about his management decisions while serving as the show’s executive producer.

He shared with THR that he spent the whole day with them while working, then they’d enjoy themselves all night long after work. In a peculiar, distorted manner, he was attempting to recapture the childhood he never experienced. He assumed they desired a parental figure, but they wanted nothing of the sort; they didn’t want him instructing them on what to do or how to behave. He wishes he could redo parts of that experience with some of those actors, especially Lea Michele, Chord Overstreet, and Darren Criss. There were others with whom things didn’t go as planned, and he regrets that. Ultimately, he wishes he had given them the freedom to find their own way.

In the process of producing shows like “Scream Queens,” “American Horror Story,” “Pose,” and other successful series, Murphy reflected that Glee served as a valuable learning experience about what to avoid in future projects.

Did you know? The character of Rachel Berry in Glee was specifically created with Lea Michele, who had already made her mark on Broadway through Spring Awakening, in mind. However, not every actor’s path to becoming a Gleek was a smooth one.

Before he was cast as Blaine, Criss auditioned for the role of Finn, the lead quarterback. 

He shared during the Paleyfest panel that this was his first audition, where he tried out for the initial episode. Later on, he admitted to watching the pilot to see who landed the role he had auditioned for. To his surprise, he saw Cory Monteith getting the part and thought it was only natural.

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but share a fascinating tidbit about one of my favorite stars, Colfer. Initially, he auditioned for a different role, but destiny had other plans! He was actually vying for Artie, but his exceptional talent left the producers spellbound. So captivated were they by this young star that they crafted the character of Kurt just for him!

In truth, Murphy admitted that Colfer’s audition for the role on Glee was the catalyst for the creation of The Glee Project, a reality competition show that offered promising actors an opportunity to join the cast of Glee.

What an immense privilege it was, and truly unique, as I felt an immense satisfaction knowing that my efforts may have provided children with a valuable stage. This is simply outstanding.

As a die-hard Glee enthusiast, can you imagine my excitement when I learned that none other than Dianna Agron, the captivating actress who brought Quinn Fabray, the charismatic head cheerleader to life, was set to join the cast? This incredible news broke just a day before we started filming the pilot episode!

Originally, Quinn’s character was expected to embody the typical ‘mean girl’, but due to Agron’s unique portrayal, the writers had to adjust and modify her role.

Murphy stated to Rolling Stone that when they chose Dianna for the role of Quinn, it affected his perception of the part negatively. He had envisioned the character as having a certain coolness, reminiscent of Cybill Shepherd in The Last Picture Show, but instead, she added a human touch to it. Dianna is capable of showing her emotions quickly and deeply, so now her character has depth, sensitivity, and a strong vulnerability.

Agron would leave the show after season three, returning only for the 100th episode.

On the set of Glee, much like the hallways of McKinley High, there was a significant amount of flirting and relationships among its youthful cast members. (Interestingly, Lea Michele disclosed in her 2014 memoir Brunette Ambition that she and Matthew Morrison had dated for a day while working together on Broadway before the show even started.)

Michelle and Cory Monteith, famously known for their roles as one of the show’s most memorable couples, dated for quite some time before Monteith passed away in 2013. On the other hand, Blake Jenner and Melissa Benoist, who are now well-known for their roles on Supergirl, tied the knot in 2015 after meeting and falling in love on set back in 2012 when they portrayed romantic partners. However, their marriage ended in 2016, and their divorce was finalized a year later.

Naya Rivera and Mark Salling had a brief relationship during the early days of their show, but it wasn’t a harmonious breakup. As Rivera mentioned in her 2016 memoir, one might reflect back on such relationships and wonder, “What was I thinking?” Such experiences often teach us valuable lessons without causing regret… unless that relationship involved someone with a substantial collection of child pornography on their computer. In such cases, there is certainly reason for regret. Tragically, Salling was indicted for child pornography in 2017 and later took his own life at the age of 35 in January 2018.

Gwyneth Paltrow initially crossed paths with Brad Falchuk, one of the creators of “Glee,” during her guest appearance on the show. However, it wasn’t until 2014, more than a year after her separation from Chris Martin, that their romantic relationship began.

In my personal experience, navigating romantic encounters while going through a divorce can feel quite unusual. It’s not like casually meeting someone at a coffee shop when I was younger. The context is significantly different – there are children involved, as well as the emotional and logistical complexities of a divorce. It’s a unique situation with its own set of challenges.

They got married in October 2018. 

During the series, rumors circulated about a romantic connection between Kevin McHale, as Artie, and Jenna Ushkowitz, playing Tina. However, it was later revealed that they were merely involved in a relationship for the sake of the show, a concept that has since been a topic of discussion on their popular podcast.

It’s surprising that bands like Kings of Leon, despite the widespread success of their songs on Glee and millions of downloads, refused to grant the show permission to use their music. The cast members of Glee had intended to cover “Use Somebody,” but the band members were criticized by creator Ryan Murphy for being self-centered and short-sighted, as they failed to understand the impact the song could have on encouraging children to participate in arts education. A brief Twitter dispute ensued afterward.

Slash refused an offer from Glee because he disliked the show. Murphy suggested that those expressing such opinions typically face career decline and are considered uneducated and naive.

The Foo Fighters also declined the show’s invitation, as confirmed by Dave Grohl during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

He expressed that it’s unnecessary for one to participate in a “Glee” production. Strangely enough, the creator of “Glee” seems upset because we aren’t clamoring to be part of his program… I gave it a try for about 10 minutes, but it just doesn’t appeal to me.

During the entire course of the show, Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff shared a living space, and on numerous occasions, we would host get-togethers for our fellow cast members at our apartment.

As someone advocating for a healthier lifestyle, I’ll admit that back then, when we were clearly past the age where such behavior was appropriate, there were times when we indulged in excessive drinking, losing ourselves in the process. And I must confess, Chris, my dear friend and fellow panelist at the 2013 Paleyfest event, shared a similar experience; he too partook in more than his fair share of alcohol, with our apartment serving as the venue for his first taste.

During one of their long night-time gatherings, Amber Riley (known as Mercedes), shared a single and final cigarette with the group, who were so tight-knit they referred to themselves as JACK, an acronym formed from the initials of each member’s first name.

Reflecting back on our vibrant tour experiences, particularly our exhilarating nights out at concerts, I can’t help but recall an incident in London with my co-stars. Riley confessed to having a scuffle with an unknown woman during that time. After recognizing her actions, she informed our security detail who, in turn, settled the matter discreetly with the other party to prevent any escalation or public disclosure. At that point, Colfer, not yet 21, confessed to frequent bar-hopping underage.

Due to their youthfulness and strong bond, many personal experiences of the actors frequently appeared in the show during its early stages.

In an interview with PR.com, Colfer mentioned that there have been instances where he shared personal experiences with Ryan Murphy, who then incorporates these stories into the show. At times, Murphy would also inquire about the songs Colfer might want to perform in certain scenes. While none of them intentionally offer suggestions for character development or plotlines, it seems as if they draw inspiration from their real-life tales. A specific example is when Colfer shared his high school struggle to sing ‘Defying Gravity’, a song considered for girls, in a talent show, which was later adapted into an episode.

Additionally, the full, expressive lips of character Sam, portrayed by Chord Overstreet, found their way not only into a plotline but also into a tune titled “Trouty Mouth”.

At a Paleyfest discussion, Overstreet commented, “I hadn’t given much thought to my lips until the jokes began. They even composed that remarkable tune about them!

Initially, Darren Criss missed out on the part of Finn during his initial audition, but in season two, he stole the show as Head Warbler Blaine Anderson and eventually became a major breakout star of the series. His introductory performance of “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry established one of the popular couples, Klaine (Kurt and Blaine), and also produced one of Glee’s most successful singles ever, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In the hit YouTube series “A Very Potter Musical,” prior to the airing of “Glee,” Criss, who portrayed Harry Potter among other roles, rapidly advanced to a permanent character status, eventually becoming a key figure in the show’s narrative.

When Murphy was considering who to cast as serial killer Andrew Cunanan for “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” he took many by surprise when he selected Criss, giving credit to his performance on Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

In a conversation with EW, Murphy expressed that it was obvious to him that he could accomplish the role. Beyond this conviction, he believed that Darren was extremely driven and eager. People often categorized Darren as primarily a musical comedy actor, but after watching Hedwig, Murphy realized that Darren had the potential for profound depth and darkness.

Criss’ performance on the FX hit series earned him a Golden Globe, Emmy and SAG Award. 

Initially, Heather Morris joined the show as the choreographer’s choice to teach Chris Colfer the “Single Ladies” dance because she was a backup dancer for Beyoncé. However, producers soon realized her talent went beyond dancing and cast her as a background player when they needed an extra cheerleader. Impressing audiences with her quick wit, such as humorous lines like “Did you know dolphins are just gay sharks?”, Morris quickly gained popularity among fans. In the second season, she was promoted to series regular, gaining prominence in the Britney Spears tribute episode and forming one of the show’s most beloved couples with Naya Rivera’s Santana.

For the fifth season, Morris was frequently featured as a guest star following her real-life pregnancy, opting not to continue as a regular cast member afterward.

During the peak of its popularity, it felt as though almost everyone either featured on Glee or aspired to do so. Some of the show’s most notable guest stars were Gwyneth Paltrow, John Stamos, Helen Mirren (via voiceover), Carol Burnett, Kate Hudson, Lindsay Lohan, Ricky Martin, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Whoopi Goldberg – just to name a few in a long list.

Despite the initial plans, some anticipated guest stars didn’t appear on the show as expected: Javier Bardem was originally slated to portray a rock star friend of Artie, but this collaboration didn’t materialize. Similarly, Anne Hathaway was initially cast to play Kurt’s lesbian aunt, but she never made an appearance.

Jennifer Lopez also met with producers, but it never ended up materializing.

Following the honors for Madonna and Lady Gaga, the TV show “Glee” delivered its most successful tribute episode in season two titled “Britney/Brittany,” which was a salute to pop icon Britney Spears. (They also dedicated a second Britney Spears tribute episode in season four.)

According to Murphy, it was Britney who came up with the idea regarding her response to the award. It seems she appreciates our program which aims to celebrate pop culture in a heartfelt, respectful manner. Her reaction was a reflection of this sentiment.

Unlike Madonna and Gaga though, Spears actually appeared as herself in the episode.

“I loved it! Thank you guys SO much for making this happen!” the “I’m A Slave 4 U” singer tweeted. 

Heater Morris caught Spears’ attention, as he wrote, ‘Oh, Heather Morris is just adorable! Working with her was a blast and she’s genuinely sweet in real life.’

It was a major moment for Morris, who idolized Spears growing up.

Morris confided to TV Week that from the age of 12 to 16, she admired this person immensely. She’d sing their songs in her living room, mimic their dance moves, and even put on talent shows where she lip-synced to them. Looking back, her childhood was filled with an intense fascination for this icon.

The immense popularity of Glee led to a nationwide tour by its principal actors between 2010 and 2011, with the majority of their 40 shows selling out. Subsequently, they even expanded their performances internationally, gracing various European cities.

Murphy expressed his enthusiasm when he stated that as soon as the tour was announced, he felt a strong desire to express gratitude to the fans who responded so positively and quickly to our small production. He questioned if there could be any event more fitting for a live performance than ‘Glee’?

The tour accumulated a total of $40 million, leading to the launch of “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” during a two-week theater run. This movie featured footage captured from the cast’s performance in New Jersey.

The show’s soundtrack and compilation albums, totaling 22, had collectively sold more than 7.9 million copies by the year 2015. Additionally, their songs were downloaded over 45 million times and sold approximately 53 million copies as well.

Even if you’re watching a TV high school show, you can’t remain in high school. Nevertheless, viewers were taken aback when Lea Michele informed THR that the primary cast members, including Michele, Monteith, and Colfer, wouldn’t be appearing in season four, following their graduation from McKinley High. Speculation about a possible spinoff, set in New York City, emerged, with the producers exploring a storyline where Rachel and Kurt strive to realize their Broadway aspirations in the Big Apple.

As a devotee, I’d express it like this: “I recall Murphy stating that viewers might criticize if characters stay on the show for six years without being realistic. Alternatively, he chose to stick to reality by having the characters start as sophomores and graduate at the end of their senior year when the show concluded.

However, the threesome eventually remained part of the show, titled “Glee“, which centered around their post-university aspirations. Simultaneously, it brought in fresh students to McKinley High. Prior to season four, the network’s president clarified to reporters that there would be no standalone “Glee” spinoff series.

However, season four saw a significant change in the show’s dynamic as Murphy offered the original cast members the option to leave if their characters had graduated. He stated, “I told them, ‘Anyone who wants to remain on the show can stay.'” Most of them chose to continue, but many reduced their roles to recurring or guest appearances.

In the third season of the popular series “Glee,” a spin-off competition titled “The Glee Project” began airing on Oxygen. This show saw competitors vying for an opportunity to join the cast of the main program.

During its two-part run, Glee welcomed four finalists, among them being Samuel Larsen and Damian McGinty Jr., who won in season one, as well as Lindsay Pearce and Alex Newell, who were the runners-up that same year. Blake Jenner, victor of season two, joined the cast permanently for season five, while Ali Stroker, the runner-up from season two, made a surprise guest appearance in season four.

Among the popular actors in the show, Colfer earned a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Kurt. Later in season five, he bravely took on the task of penning an episode of Glee, even though he had previously written several novels and a movie adaptation of his book “Struck By Lighting“. Despite this experience, he confessed that he was still apprehensive about tackling the challenge.

When initially addressed, he responded with a firm “no way.” He clarified at a Paleyfest event that he wasn’t attributing words to his co-stars, adding that there was considerable pressure involved.

During the duration of the show, Darren Criss, his screen love interest, also contributed to Glee by penning an original song titled “This Time” for the final episode.

In simpler terms, Criss expressed that the song was essentially a heartfelt letter capturing his entire experience, and having Lea perform it for him was one of the most treasured moments in his professional journey.

For Michele, receiving a special gift from Darren was exceptionally meaningful. She exclaimed, “Darren bestowed upon me the most exceptional gift. Truly, that day left me in tears on my knees. I had to phone my mom to help me out. It’s so precious, it created an unforgettable memory – simply incredible!

The song would go on to be nominated for an Emmy. 

In 2011, a Glee enthusiast or bystander got into trouble after she disclosed significant plot details about the prom on Twitter. One of the co-creators, Brad Falchuk, publicly criticized her, saying, “Who are you to spoil something that many people have worked hard for several months to produce?

He then added, “hope you’re qualified to do something besides work in entertainment.”

Nicole Crowther, who was just 2 years old at the time, faced extremely hostile comments from fans and felt ostracized as every local talent agency seemed to shun her.

She expressed to TopMob News that she never anticipated it getting so close to what it had been. She’s sorry for this and can empathize with both the fans and Brad, as well as those at Fox who are upset with her, understanding fully their perspective.

A few years into its run, the show faced another Twitter controversy when someone hacked Colfer’s account and posted that he was leaving the show due to personal matters, stating “I have been dismissed from the Glee cast due to personal issues. Further details will be provided soon.

Following the calming down of excitement among Klaine fans after the show’s representatives denied Daniel Pino (Colfer) was leaving the series, he subsequently spoke about the situation on ‘Good Morning America’, expressing that the rumor was indeed very disturbing.

“Some jerk hacked me,” he said. “It was a pain, it really was.” 

In her 2016 autobiography titled “Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up“, Rivera openly shared that she had an abortion while the series was airing.

In late 2010, Naya found out she was pregnant only a few weeks following her split with actor Ryan Dorsey, whom she later married in 2014 and had a son, Josey Dorsey. Their marriage ended in 2018.

She decided against informing Dorsey about the news immediately, opting instead to concentrate on her professional life. During a break from shooting an episode of “Glee”, she made the decision to terminate the pregnancy.

She expressed that every woman ought to possess the autonomy to decide for herself, and the idea of a situation where the choice to bear a child is taken away from her is unsettling, as she put it in her writing.

Following Cory Monteith’s unexpected and sad death due to drug overdose in 2013 at the young age of 31, there was speculation about how the television show Glee would address his demise and Finn’s absence on the program. Ryan Murphy hinted to TopMob News that they contemplated even ending the series as a result.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I must admit that it’s been quite some time since I last delved into the world of Glee. However, upon returning, I was deeply moved by “The Quarterback,” an extraordinary episode that served as a poignant tribute to the late Cory Monteith, who portrayed Finn Hudson. The hour was filled with raw emotions and solemnity, reflecting both on-screen and off, as each cast member had the opportunity to pay heartfelt homage to their dear colleague within the episode. It was a powerful and emotional journey that truly highlighted the deep bonds forged during their time together.

In nearly every scene of that episode, you’ll find they were performed in a single take due to the difficulty the actors and crew faced during filming, as Murphy mentioned. The crew was so emotionally affected by the scenes that some even had to leave in tears. Filming this episode was particularly challenging for everyone involved, not just because of Finn or Cory, but because of the intense emotions the cast and crew experienced.

The episode concluded with Michele, Monteith’s partner, performing Bob Dylan’s beautiful song titled “Make You Feel My Love,” and Rachel going back to McKinley High School to install a plaque in the choir room that showcases a photograph of Finn along with a quote from him which says: “The performance should carry on…spreading its wings everywhere…or something.

Matthew Morrison shared about the filming process, “Lea performed one of the first songs for the episode exceptionally well. Afterward, she mentioned something like, ‘It can’t be more challenging for anyone else than it was for me.’ This inspired us to give our best performance since our leader had taken the lead and essentially gave everyone else permission to follow suit. I believe we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without her.

2013 saw the writer of “Glee,” Murphy, share with Entertainment Weekly the original ending that him and his team had planned for the story arc of Finn and Rachel’s relationship (Finchel) on the show.

In a nutshell, the story goes like this: Rachel returns to Ohio, feeling a mix of satisfaction and discontent, and enters Finn’s choir group. When he inquires about her presence, she simply states, “I’m home.” The scene then ends.
“I’ve come home.” And with that, the scene concludes.

Michelle, who has sixteen tattoos, displayed three Glee-themed ones during her photoshoot for the cover of Women’s Health U.K, when she posed naked. One of these tattoos is a “Finn” tribute, similar to Rachel’s onscreen homage to Finn after his character’s passing in the series. Additionally, Michelle has the number 5 tattooed as a memorial to Monteith, who played Finn and wore that number on his football jersey.

One more addition…for my Quarterback, #5, she labeled her new tattoo on Instagram.

Apart from that, she bears a small golden star on her left arm as a tribute to her character Rachel and one of her lines from the initial episode: “You might chuckle each time I sign my name with a gold star attached, but it symbolizes something deeper. Those gold stars represent ME being a shining light.” (In this sentence, the original meaning is preserved, but the language is made more approachable by breaking it down into simpler phrases and using “shining light” instead of “star.”)

During a chat with Rolling Stone magazine, Michele shared that she, along with her colleagues Ushkowitz and McHale, received identical “Imagine” ink designs on their feet as a tribute to The Beatles, after an evening out and a couple of glasses of wine.

She mentioned that she’s often the one encouraging riskier actions. As a result, they now have tiny tattoos on their feet,” she said. “That night, it seemed like a very logical decision to them.

Even though the series concluded back in 2015, I’ve continued to be a part of the amazing cast, demonstrating that once a “Gleek,” always a “Gleek.

Michelle and Criss frequently team up for joint headlining tours. At Criss’ wedding to his long-term partner Mia Swier in February 2019, Michelle was one of the attendees. A month later, Criss was also present at Michelle’s wedding to Zandy Reich. The ceremony was officiated by Murphy. Becca Tobin, who started on Glee during its fourth season and now stars in TopMob’s Ladygang, was another guest, as she has remained close friends with Michele since their days on the show.

In 2016, the wedding ceremony of Tobin was officiated by Jane Lynch. It turned out to be a little Glee reunion, as Michele, McHale, Ushkowitz, Meg Doyle, Michael Hitchcock, Matt Hodgson, and Dante Russo were all present.

In 2018, Morrison gathered several members of New Directions to meet his newly born son, Revel James Makai Morrison. He aptly labeled the photo as a “GLEE reunion” featuring cast members like Michele, Rivera, Riley, Morris, Colfer, Criss, and others. He expressed joy about spending time with his old friends and new addition, saying it was a wonderful night spent with his ‘extended family’.

In March, some of the Glee cast members, including Harry Shum Jr., who is known for his role in Crazy Rich Asians, came together on screen to compete against each other in a rap battle show called Drop the Mic.

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2025-09-12 21:48