Remember the rumor that circulated circa 2017 that Lea Michele couldn't read or write? Well, it's making a comeback, no thanks to Michele's pal and Scream Queens costar Emma Roberts.
Here's a refresher.
One More Thing podcast hosts—Jaye Hunt and Robert Ackerman—took an excerpt from the late Naya Rivera's memoir Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up and came to the conclusion Rivera's Glee costar Michele can't read.
The anecdote in the book stated Michele refused to improvise scenes on the musical comedy-drama show, prompting the podcast hosts to come up with the idea Michele had to memorize lines...because she can't read.
This turned into a 40-minute discussion that cited evidence to back their theory, for example the fact she was a child star and perhaps missed a lot of school.
The rumor gathered steam and soon video evidence montages circulated.
lea michele can’t read - tiktok compilation youtu.be
While Hunt and Ackerman acknowledged the theory was completely fabricated and meant to be humorous, the theory lived on anyway with its peak in 2018.
Cut to 2023 when the rumor was all but forgotten. But leave it to Andy Cohen to bring up a nearly obsolete controversy.
This week, Roberts sat down with the host on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen alongside Julie Bowen.
Roberts was asked what she thought was the "biggest misconception" about Funny Girl Lea Michele.
Before Roberts could answer, Cohen said:
"The biggest misconception is that she can't read, right?"
Though Roberts of course laughed, she paused a moment before answering:
"Well... I mean... we've not been in a book club together!"
Bowen then chimed in:
"Why is reading so important, god d*mn it! Let her not read if that's what she wants!"
You can check out the moment below.
WARNING: NSFW language
@x.emmaroberts NAHHH LMFAOO #emmaroberts #emmarobertsedit #screamqueens #screamqueensedit #leamichele #leamicheleisilliterate #leamichelecantread #leamicheleedit #chaneloberlin #chaneloberlinedit #ahsedit #funny #ahs #jillrobertsedit #juliebowen #jillroberts #scream4
Roberts' failure to deny the rumor relaunched the madness.
Many took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
Some joked about what Michele's reaction to the comment might be.
lea liking this tweet after only seeing a picture of herself pic.twitter.com/p1Tx0LuKqG
— stei (@steyeuh) January 26, 2023
lea pretending to understand this tweet pic.twitter.com/URDNJuUFtq
— stei (@steyeuh) January 26, 2023
Lea Michelle when she sees this tweet: pic.twitter.com/3Ms0VTz5MD
— Johnny T- Rewatched Iron Man (@Quantumania12) January 26, 2023
And some thought Roberts' quip about the book club was cheeky.
LMFAO EMMA💀💀
— stef (@itzsdc) January 26, 2023
🤣🤣🤣
— Aarinn Vasudev (@KitchenWitch37) January 26, 2023
Many still refuse, however, to believe that the rumor was made up.
i think we know pic.twitter.com/V1VwmX0102
— safeplaceforlighterstans (@ktlnlighter) January 26, 2023
she will never beat the allegations pic.twitter.com/6WVoQbUdxb
— diogo (@diordiogo) January 26, 2023
The evidence is MOUNTING
— Destroya⚡️ (@zelda_adamantia) January 26, 2023
The world may never know the truth.