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Exploring Onscreen Rivalries and Offscreen Realities in Glee
Art often reflects life, and this sentiment resonated during a recent episode of the rewatch podcast And That’s What You REALLY Missed, hosted by former Glee stars Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz. The duo delved into the possible connections between the show’s plotlines and the rumored tensions between co-stars Lea Michele and Naya Rivera during Season 5.
In the episode titled “Frenemies,” the characters Rachel Berry (portrayed by Michele) and Santana Lopez (played by Rivera) engage in a fierce rivalry, highlighted by Santana’s role as Rachel’s understudy in Broadway’s Funny Girl. This confrontation culminates in a dramatic slap that reverberated among fans. McHale noted that the narrative playfully mirrored the speculated feud between Michele and Rivera when the episode aired in 2014.
“This self-referential approach fits perfectly with the episode,” McHale reflected during the podcast. He suggested that the intentional nature of the confrontation echoed real-life tensions that were buzzing in the media at the time.
Adding a humorous twist, McHale expressed his belief that both actresses likely enjoyed the heightened drama. “You know they would have loved that sh*t,” he joked. “I can imagine Naya and Lea thinking, ‘Yeah, let’s do this.’”
The Dynamic Between Lea Michele and Naya Rivera
The late Rivera candidly discussed her relationship with Michele in her memoir, Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up. She described them as “two sides of the same battery,” both driven and competitive, which could lead to friction. Rivera reflected on how their friendship evolved alongside their characters, specifically pointing out that as Santana’s character became more prominent, Michele’s character Rachel began to struggle with sharing the limelight. “I think Rachel — erm, I mean Lea — didn’t like sharing the spotlight,” Rivera stated.
Assessing the Severity of the Feud
Despite earlier speculations, Rivera later clarified that the rumored feud was overstated. In a 2019 appearance on Watch What Happens Live, she mentioned that their relationship was not marked by any serious animosity and even expressed support for Michele’s engagement announcement on social media. “I don’t think there was, like, any beef,” she affirmed during her interview.
McHale echoed Rivera’s sentiments on the podcast, suggesting that the public perception of their rivalry was exaggerated. “All those things were always blown out of proportion and not correct,” he stated. However, he acknowledged that the surrounding stories enhanced the viewing experience for fans. “Watching it was also, like, fan service in a way,” he noted. “Like, ‘Oh, you think they hate each other? Let’s give it to you.’ It works because they’re also playing into it. It’s like they’re in on the gag.”
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