What Happened to Lea Michele Sarfati?
Lea Michele rose to fame as Rachel Berry on 'Glee' before facing public scrutiny over allegations of workplace misconduct. She made a highly successful return to Broadway in 2022, starring as Fanny Brice in 'Funny Girl', and is currently leading the 2025-2026 revival of 'Chess' while balancing her career with her growing family.
Quick Answer
Lea Michele is currently starring as Florence Vassy in the Broadway revival of 'Chess' at the Imperial Theatre, which began performances in October 2025 and is scheduled to run through June 2026. This follows her critically acclaimed and record-breaking run as Fanny Brice in 'Funny Girl' from 2022 to 2023. In her personal life, Michele is married to Zandy Reich and is a mother of two, having welcomed her second child, a daughter, in late 2024.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Broadway Debut in Les Misérables
Lea Michele made her Broadway debut at age eight as Young Cosette in 'Les Misérables'.
Originated Role in Spring Awakening
Michele originated the role of Wendla Bergmann in the critically acclaimed Broadway musical 'Spring Awakening', earning a Drama Desk Award nomination.
Glee Premieres
She gained international fame starring as Rachel Berry in the Fox musical comedy-drama series 'Glee', a role written specifically for her.
Released Debut Album 'Louder'
Michele released her debut studio album, 'Louder', which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Married Zandy Reich
Lea Michele married businessman Zandy Reich in an intimate ceremony in Northern California.
Glee Co-star Allegations Emerge
Former 'Glee' co-star Samantha Marie Ware publicly accused Michele of workplace misconduct, leading to a wave of similar allegations from other cast members and a public apology from Michele.
Welcomed First Child, Son Ever Leo
Michele and Reich welcomed their first child, a son named Ever Leo.
Took Over Lead in Funny Girl on Broadway
Michele began her acclaimed run as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of 'Funny Girl', receiving multiple standing ovations and revitalizing the show's box office.
Concluded Funny Girl Run
Lea Michele concluded her successful, record-breaking run as Fanny Brice, with the 'Funny Girl' revival playing its final Broadway performance on the same day.
Carnegie Hall Debut
Michele made her solo Carnegie Hall debut, selling out the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.
Announced Second Pregnancy
Lea Michele announced via Instagram that she and Zandy Reich were expecting their second child.
Welcomed Second Child, Daughter Emery
Michele and Reich welcomed their second child, a daughter named Emery, as indicated by her being 18 months old in February 2026.
Launched Solo Concert Tour
Michele began a series of special concerts across the U.S. and Canada, showcasing songs from her career.
Began Performances in Broadway's Chess
Michele returned to Broadway, beginning previews as Florence Vassy in the revival of 'Chess' at the Imperial Theatre.
Discussed 'Chess' Wig on TikTok
Michele explained in a TikTok video why she wears a wig for her role in 'Chess' to protect her natural hair and facilitate a character change in Act Two.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Lea Michele Sarfati's career began on Broadway as a child, appearing in productions like 'Les Misérables' and 'Spring Awakening', for which she earned a Drama Desk Award nomination. She achieved widespread recognition and mainstream success for her role as Rachel Berry in the Fox musical comedy-drama series 'Glee' from 2009 to 2015, receiving Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
In June 2020, Michele faced significant public backlash when former 'Glee' co-star Samantha Marie Ware accused her of making her time on set a "living hell" and engaging in "traumatic microaggressions." These allegations, which included claims of racism and difficult behavior, were corroborated by several other cast members, including Alex Newell and Heather Morris. The controversy led to the loss of a partnership with HelloFresh and prompted Michele to issue an apology, acknowledging her past behavior was perceived as insensitive.
Michele made a triumphant return to Broadway in September 2022, taking over the lead role of Fanny Brice in the revival of 'Funny Girl'. Her performance received widespread critical acclaim and was credited with significantly boosting the show's box office, breaking multiple records at the August Wilson Theatre. Her successful run concluded on September 3, 2023, with the production closing alongside her departure.
Following 'Funny Girl', Michele embarked on a solo concert tour in spring 2025, performing a mix of Broadway classics, 'Glee' hits, and songs from her studio albums. In June 2025, it was announced that she would return to the Imperial Theatre, where she made her Broadway debut, to star as Florence Vassy in a new revival of the musical 'Chess'. The production began previews on October 15, 2025, officially opened on November 16, 2025, and is scheduled to run through June 14, 2026. Michele has also been seen performing with the cast of 'Chess' on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' in March 2026.
In her personal life, Lea Michele married Zandy Reich in March 2019. They welcomed their son, Ever Leo, in August 2020. In March 2024, Michele announced she was expecting her second child, and by February 2026, she confirmed having an 18-month-old daughter, Emery, indicating her birth in late 2024. She continues to balance her demanding Broadway schedule with her family life.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Lea Michele Sarfati made different choices?