Lea Michele Performs 'Funny Girl' Song at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Despite Head Cold

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Jennifer Mitchell / SplashNews.com

Lea Michelemade sure there were clear skies at theMacy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The actress, 36, opened the holiday broadcast on Thursday morning with a performance of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” fromFunny Girl, the Broadway production she is currently starring in.

On herInstagram Storyahead of the parade, Michele shared that she was in her dressing room at 5 a.m. after doing twoFunny Girlshows yesterday — and noted she was excited despite dealing with a “wonderful” head cold. “But,” she said, “we’re so excited. Today’s gonna be amazing. I can’t wait.”

After passing through various band members and floats, Michele delivered a high note and then appeared before Macy’s Herald Square store, where she continued the tune with a playful lyric change — altering the line “Hey, Mr. Arnstein, here I am” to “Hey, Mr. Macy’s, here I am.”

The performance ended with an eruption of cheers from audience members in attendance, asTodayhostsSavannah GuthrieandHoda Kotbthen stepped in to officially kick off the three-hour broadcast.

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Alongside Michele and the cast ofFunny Girl, additional Broadway acts that performed during the parade included the cast ofA Beautiful Noise,Some Like It HotandThe Lion King. The Radio City Rockettes also helped round up the theatrics.

Additionally, the cast of Peacock’sPitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin,featuring Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg, made an appearance as well.

Mariah Careyalso took part in the annual holiday celebration, performing her 1994 seasonal smash “All I Want for Christmas Is You” toward the end of the program, before Santa Claus closed out the parade.

RELATED VIDEO:Funny GirlProducers Set the Record Straight on Beanie Feldstein’s Exit as Lea Michele Steps In

Michele debuted as Fanny Brice in September, following a 13-year absence from the Broadway stage.

Ahead of her first performance, the actress told PEOPLE she was excited to have some of her friends and family supporting her in the crowd. “I know Jon [Groff] and John [Gallagher Jr.] are going to be there,” she said. “So I have all of my people. It’s wonderful.”

As for any speculation ofbehind-the-scenes dramaaround the casting decision between Michele and Beanie Feldstein, who held the role before her, Michele said there was no bad blood. “I saw the show. I wrote her and told her what an incredible job I thought that she did,” Michele said. “I think that everybody just thinks everything is so drama-filled. I also think that people really love the excitement of pitting women against each other, which I think is really sad and unfortunate.”

For tickets toFunny Girl, visitFunnyGirlonBroadway.com.

source: people.com