Lea Michele Says She Was Told to Get a Nose Job Because She 'Wasn't Pretty Enough'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Udo Salters/Patrick McMullan via Getty ImagesLea Micheleis speaking out about how she was treated as a young actress.“People would tell me to get nose jobs, that Iwasn’t pretty enoughfor film and television,” theFunny Girlstar, 36, toldTown & Countrymagazine about how she was pushed to achieve Hollywood’s “ideal.“TheGleealum managed to persevere in the industry without resorting to surgery while drawing comparisons to her idol,Barbra Streisand, who originated the lead role of Fanny Brice in 1964 — and who recentlywrote a “complimentary” noteto the Broadway star.“It was a beautiful, hand-written note that I will cherish,” Michele said. “She was incredibly complimentary. It exists. It happened, and now I feel like so many dreams can come true.““She was an icon for me in my life,” she added.Kevin Mazur/Getty; Taylor Hill/GettyDespite her affection for the show and her own Broadway success, Michele still feels as though she’s in the entertainment legend’s shadow.“I willnever be as goodas Barbra Streisand,” Michele toldThe New York Timesin September.But Michele does have a long history withFunny Girl. Not only has she been outspoken about her love for Streisand, 80, but herGleecharacter Rachel Berry played the role of Fanny Brice in a fictional revival of the show, singing many of the musical’s iconic songs on the Fox series including “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “People,” “My Man” and “I’m the Greatest Star.“Recently, theSpring Awakeningsalum also reprised another look.Lea Michele.Jared Siskin/GettyIn October, the Emmy nominee revealed new curtain bangs, which she couldn’t help but compare to the wispy fringe she donned during her days on the hit Fox show.“BERRY BANGS ARE BACK WHATTT,” commented one user while another marked the moment as the birth of “Rachel Berry 3.0.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.TheBrunette Ambitionauthor rocked her chic updo at the God’s Love We Deliver 2022 Golden Heart Awards in New York, where she dazzled in a Michael Kors gold cutout dress on the red carpet and performed on stage with a rendition of “People” from the 1968 musical film.

Photo: Udo Salters/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Lea Micheleis speaking out about how she was treated as a young actress.“People would tell me to get nose jobs, that Iwasn’t pretty enoughfor film and television,” theFunny Girlstar, 36, toldTown & Countrymagazine about how she was pushed to achieve Hollywood’s “ideal.“TheGleealum managed to persevere in the industry without resorting to surgery while drawing comparisons to her idol,Barbra Streisand, who originated the lead role of Fanny Brice in 1964 — and who recentlywrote a “complimentary” noteto the Broadway star.“It was a beautiful, hand-written note that I will cherish,” Michele said. “She was incredibly complimentary. It exists. It happened, and now I feel like so many dreams can come true.““She was an icon for me in my life,” she added.Kevin Mazur/Getty; Taylor Hill/GettyDespite her affection for the show and her own Broadway success, Michele still feels as though she’s in the entertainment legend’s shadow.“I willnever be as goodas Barbra Streisand,” Michele toldThe New York Timesin September.But Michele does have a long history withFunny Girl. Not only has she been outspoken about her love for Streisand, 80, but herGleecharacter Rachel Berry played the role of Fanny Brice in a fictional revival of the show, singing many of the musical’s iconic songs on the Fox series including “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “People,” “My Man” and “I’m the Greatest Star.“Recently, theSpring Awakeningsalum also reprised another look.Lea Michele.Jared Siskin/GettyIn October, the Emmy nominee revealed new curtain bangs, which she couldn’t help but compare to the wispy fringe she donned during her days on the hit Fox show.“BERRY BANGS ARE BACK WHATTT,” commented one user while another marked the moment as the birth of “Rachel Berry 3.0.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.TheBrunette Ambitionauthor rocked her chic updo at the God’s Love We Deliver 2022 Golden Heart Awards in New York, where she dazzled in a Michael Kors gold cutout dress on the red carpet and performed on stage with a rendition of “People” from the 1968 musical film.

Lea Micheleis speaking out about how she was treated as a young actress.

“People would tell me to get nose jobs, that Iwasn’t pretty enoughfor film and television,” theFunny Girlstar, 36, toldTown & Countrymagazine about how she was pushed to achieve Hollywood’s “ideal.”

TheGleealum managed to persevere in the industry without resorting to surgery while drawing comparisons to her idol,Barbra Streisand, who originated the lead role of Fanny Brice in 1964 — and who recentlywrote a “complimentary” noteto the Broadway star.

“It was a beautiful, hand-written note that I will cherish,” Michele said. “She was incredibly complimentary. It exists. It happened, and now I feel like so many dreams can come true.”

“She was an icon for me in my life,” she added.

Kevin Mazur/Getty; Taylor Hill/Getty

Despite her affection for the show and her own Broadway success, Michele still feels as though she’s in the entertainment legend’s shadow.

“I willnever be as goodas Barbra Streisand,” Michele toldThe New York Timesin September.

But Michele does have a long history withFunny Girl. Not only has she been outspoken about her love for Streisand, 80, but herGleecharacter Rachel Berry played the role of Fanny Brice in a fictional revival of the show, singing many of the musical’s iconic songs on the Fox series including “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “People,” “My Man” and “I’m the Greatest Star.”

Recently, theSpring Awakeningsalum also reprised another look.

Lea Michele.Jared Siskin/Getty

In October, the Emmy nominee revealed new curtain bangs, which she couldn’t help but compare to the wispy fringe she donned during her days on the hit Fox show.

“BERRY BANGS ARE BACK WHATTT,” commented one user while another marked the moment as the birth of “Rachel Berry 3.0.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

TheBrunette Ambitionauthor rocked her chic updo at the God’s Love We Deliver 2022 Golden Heart Awards in New York, where she dazzled in a Michael Kors gold cutout dress on the red carpet and performed on stage with a rendition of “People” from the 1968 musical film.

source: people.com