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By Jamie Burton
Senior TV & Film Reporter (Interviews)
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Lea Michele has been cast as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl but a former Glee co-star is furious with the news, claiming "Broadway upholds whiteness."
Sammie Ware has previously accused Michele of subjecting her to "traumatic microaggressions" on the Glee set, which prompted an outpouring of stories about Michele's conduct from other cast members. Michele later apologized for her previous behavior.
Michele will take over the role of Fanny Brice after Beanie Feldstein's tumultuous run in the lead role on Broadway.
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After the news broke on Monday, Ware retweeted someone who commented "this industry will reward bad behavior time and time again" when referring to the news of Michele's casting.
Ware then tweeted and voiced her frustration with the casting. Without naming Michele, Ware stated that she was "affected" and reiterated that she "was abused" and that her "dreams were tainted" before stating "Broadway upholds whiteness" and that "Hollywood does the same."
"Also. My name is not Amber Riley or Alex Newell. Their experience was not mine and mines was not theirs," Ware continued, suggesting that she only speaks for herself and not for the other Black cast members on Glee.
Ware went on to say that she's now working on one of the safest and most inclusive sets she's ever been on with All Rise.
Ryan Ken, a writer on John Oliver's Last Week Tonight show gave his take which was shared by Ware via a retweet.
"It's wild that the decision to tell the truth about the people who tormented you at work is a career risk, but you can stay booked and busy as one of the tormentors," Ken wrote.
Former Community star Yvette Nicole Brown expressed her dismay by referring in a tweet to "The Broadway news" and accompanying this with a vomiting emoji. After being told that Glee super fans would be coming for her, Brown stood firm.
"I don't know what they're upset about or why they'd be upset with me. But I fear no fandom. Let them come. They better bring Kleenex though, they'll leave crying. They'll mess around and find out what their fave actually thinks of them," Brown wrote.
Without referencing anyone in particular, Brown followed up the "Broadway news" tweet by saying, "Sometimes the devil does win."
After the casting news was announced, Michele shared her reaction on Instagram.
"A dream come true is an understatement. I'm so incredibly honored to join this amazing cast and production and return to the stage playing Fanny Brice on Broadway," Michele wrote.
Michele's former Glee cast mate Becca Tobin replied with flame emojis, offering her support, but no one else from the show appears to have commented yet.
Many other celebrities like Julianne Hough, Brad Goreski and Marianna Hewitt also sent Michele their congratulations. While Michele is joining the cast of Funny Girl, another Glee star, Jane Lynch, is leaving before Michele takes over, with Tovah Feldshuh taking Lynch's role as Mrs. Brice.
Michele and Felshuh will star in Funny Girl on Broadway from September 6, 2022.
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