A smiling, yet tearful Lea Michele made her first public appearance since the death of boyfriend Cory Monteith on July 13, while accepting her Teen Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy - TV. The 26-year-old 'Glee' star's acceptance speech followed a cast tribute to the Calgary-born Monteith, but it was the actress' emotional appreciation for her fans' support that struck a chord with the crowd.
"Thank you guys, thank you," said Michele. "I just wanted to be here today to personally thank all of you, and tell everyone out there how much your love and support has meant to me over these very difficult past very difficult few weeks. Not that I had any doubt before, but you guys are most certainly the greatest fans in the world."
Just weeks ago, Monteith was found dead at Vancouver's Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. On July 16, the B.C. Coroner's Service confirmed the actor died from a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol. He was 31.
"For all of you out there who loved and admired Cory as much as I did, I promise, that with your love, we're going to get through this together," said Michele. "He was very special to me, and also to the world, and we were lucky to witness his incredible talent, his handsome smile, and his beautiful, beautiful heart. So, whether you knew him personally or just as Finn Hudson [his 'Glee' character], Cory reached out and he became a part of all of our hearts, and that's where he'll stay forever."
Michele has stayed out of the spotlight since the death of her boyfriend, and did not walk the red carpet at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards. She previously broke her silence on his passing in a tweet, posted on July 29th, where she published a photo of herself and Monteith, with the caption, "Cory will forever be in my heart." The on-and-off-screen couple began dating in early 2012.
Variety reports 'Glee' will address Monteith's death in the third episode of the show's upcoming season. At the Television Critics Association press tour in August, Fox Broadcasting Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly told the crowd, "That episode will deal with the incidents directly involved with Cory's passing, (including) drug use." Reilly also made special note of Michele's professionalism and candour, saying, “[she] has the most personally wrapped up in it and has been an extraordinary human being and pillar of strength.”
This was Michele's second Teen Choice Award win in this category, for her portrayal of 'Glee' character Rachel Berry.
Michele's full acceptance speech is below:
"Thank you guys, thank you. I just wanted to be here today to personally thank all of you, and tell everyone out there how much your love and support has meant to me over these very difficult past very difficult few weeks. Not that I had any doubt before, but you guys are most certainly the greatest fans in the world. And, I wanted to dedicate this award to Cory. For all of you out there who loved and admired Cory as much as I did, I promise, that with your love, we're going to get through this together," said Michele. "He was very special to me, and also to the world, and we were lucky to witness his incredible talent, his handsome smile, and his beautiful, beautiful heart. So, whether you knew him personally or just as Finn Hudson [his 'Glee' character], Cory reached out and he became a part of all of our hearts, and that's where he'll stay forever. So, thank you guys so much. Thank you."
Also on HuffPost
