Jonathan Groff, Tony-winner extraordinaire and bestie to Lea Michele, found himself smack dab in the middle of a podcast interrogation — Tactful Pettiness with Cody Rigsby and Andrew Chappelle. And what did they want to know? Whether Lea Michele, Broadway darling, is… illiterate. Yup. You read that right (unlike Lea, apparently?).
Cody and Andrew went right for the jugular: “So, Jonathan, spill the tea — can Lea read, or nah?”
Groff, likely clutching his pearls metaphorically (or literally, who knows), immediately burst out:
“I’ve SEEN her read! Oh my God, do people really believe she can’t? How does a rumor like that even start?! It’s insane!”
Not ones to miss a beat, the hosts prodded further: “Okay, but like, have you specifically seen her read sheet music in rehearsals?”
Jonathan’s hilarious response? “Now that’s a great example. Nope, she didn’t show up off-book!” Cue dramatic gasp.
But he wasn’t done. Groff wrapped things up with:
“Listen, we’re officially ending this nonsense here and now. It’s too funny, but seriously, let it be known—Lea can read. The rumor dies today.”
For those keeping track of the timeline, Lea Michele has been in on the joke for years. Back when she was starring in Funny Girl on Broadway, she embraced the meme like a champ—proving that if there’s one thing she can read, it’s the room.
