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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Verity Sulway

Glee cast now - tragic deaths, 'bullying' and 'curse' claims as show 'predicted' horrors

The Glee cast has been so marred by tragedy and scandal over the years, some fans are convinced the show was 'cursed'.

A cheerful, funny programme surrounding a group of high school students and their musical theatre club, Glee dealt with some hard-hitting issues but remained a comedy throughout.

So it's especially shocking to learn that one cast member was later convicted of owning child abuse imagery before taking his own life, one was accused of racism and bullying, and several others tragically died far too young.

Fans have also noticed that for two of the stars, their storylines on Glee spookily appeared to mirror their real lives.

But as Heather Morris, who played cheerleader Britanny Pierce, turns 35 today, let's catch up with the rest of the cast and find out what they're up to now.

Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson)

Cory Monteith played Finn (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
He sadly died in 2013 (Getty Images)

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Corey is sadly no longer with us, and Glee fans believe the show eerily foreshadowed this.

In March 2013, Corey's publicist announced that he had admitted himself into a treatment facility for substance abuse.

He had received treatment before, at the age of 19, and had a history of drug abuse that began when he was around the age of 13.

Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy said that Corey's rehab admission in 2013 was the result of an emergency intervention on the set of the show.

Murphy and other members of the Glee cast and crew urged Corey to get help and accompany doctors to the rehab facility that had been arranged for him by the show.

He agreed and his character Finn was written out of the last two episodes of season four. He was reassured he'd have a job when he returned.

Lea and Corey were in a relationship (Getty Images North America)

It was reported in April 2013 that he had completed his treatment.

But tragically, just a few months later in July 2013, he was found dead in his hotel room in Vancouver.

He died from an accidental overdose of heroin, and also had alcohol, codeine and morphine in his system. He was aged 31.

Oddly enough, in season three, episode 10 of Glee, entitled 'Yes/No', Finn discovers that his dad died of a drug overdose, after years of believing his soldier father had died a war hero.

As Finn debates signing up for the army, his heartbroken mother reveals the truth about his father's untimely death and tells Finn she fears the same thing could happen to him.

Corey's tragic death was dealt with on the show in season five, episode three, 'The Quarterback'.

After his death, Ryan held a celebration of life for the star.

And after consulting with his real-life girlfriend Lea Michele, who also played his love interest Rachel Berry in the show, production of the fifth season was postponed.

When it returned, Finn was killed off in the third episode, which served as a tribute to both his character and the actor, and also gave fans a chance to say goodbye.

Finn's cause of death was never disclosed, and characters continued to talk about him throughout the rest of the series.

Flashback clips of him were used regularly on the show and a special in memoriam plaque was installed for him in the choir room.

It included a picture of Finn, the fictional years of his birth and death, and a quote: "The show must go... all over the place... or something."

Mark Salling (Jake 'Puck' Puckerman)

Mark Salling played Puck (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
He was convicted of possessing images of child sex abuse (Getty Images)

In 2015, Puck actor Mark was arrested on suspicion of possessing several thousand images of child sex abuse, following a tip-off to police by one of his ex-girlfriends.

A search warrant found more than 50,000 images downloaded onto his computer and USB flash drives.

He pleaded guilty in court in September 2017 and was expected to serve between four and seven years in jail.

He was also told he had to register as a sex offender and enter a treatment programme, among other conditions.

However, while he was awaiting sentencing, Mark was found dead by suicide near his home in Los Angeles, aged 35 years old.

This also seemed to be strangely foreshadowed on Glee in season two, episode 15, entitled 'Sexy'.

The episode, originally aired in March 2011, sees substitute teacher Holly Holliday (Gwyneth Paltrow) return to McKinley High to cover sex education classes.

Glee fans think his downfall was foreshadowed in the show (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)

She discovers that pupils Puck and Lauren (Ashley Fink) are planning to make a sex tape to make Lauren famous.

Holly tells them: "You do realise that making a sex tape will make you both guilty of creating and owning child pornography?"

In season three, episode 12, entitled 'The Spanish Teacher', glee club leader and teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) kicks off the weekly lesson by writing "2030" on his chalk board.

Mr Schue, as he was affectionately called by his students, asks the glee kids where they think they'll be in the year 2030.

Puck says he thinks he'll be "in jail, or dead, or both".

In episode 11 of season four, entitled 'Sadie Hawkins', Puck, who has now graduated high school and is aged 19, is asked out by student Kitty (Becca Tobin).

He asks her: "Aren't you underage?"

The cheerleader tells Puck she has a fake ID, and he responds: "Good enough for me."

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Lea Michele (Rachel Berry)

Former Glee star Lea Michele vowed to "do better" after accusations of bullying from 2013 surfaced (Getty Images)

Lea was another of the Glee stars to face controversy after the show.

She successfully embarked on a solo music career, releasing two studio albums, and acted in the film New Year's Eve and in TV series Scream Queens and The Mayor.

At the time of Corey's death, he was in a relationship with Lea, and her spokesperson released a statement that said: "Lea is deeply grateful for all the love and support she's received from family, friends and fans.

"Since Cory's passing, Lea has been grieving alongside his family and making appropriate arrangements with them.

"They are supporting each other as they endure this profound loss together. We continue to ask the media to respect the privacy of Lea and Cory's family."

Lea has since found love with businessman Zandy Reich, who she married in 2019, and the couple welcomed their first child, a boy named Ever Leo, in August 2020.

When the Black Lives Matter protests made headlines that same year, Lea released a statement in support of the movement.

Lea is married to Zandy Reich (Getty Images for InStyle)
She welcomed her first baby in 2020 (Instagram)

This prompted her former Glee co-star Samantha Ware to speak out about the alleged bullying she suffered at Lea's hands on set.

"Remember when you made my first television gig a living hell? I believe you told everyone that if you had the opportunity you would 's*** in my wig!' amongst [sic] traumatic microaggressions that made me question a career in Hollywood," Samantha tweeted.

Their fellow co-star Amber Riley appeared to join in the spat as she took to Twitter to share a GIF of her raising her hand as if to speak and another of her sipping a cup of tea.

As fans urged her to spill what was on her mind, Amber shared another GIF of her that said that read 'Let's Move On' as she revealed she wanted to focus on the protests sweeping America instead.

Dabier Snell, who appeared in 2014 issue of Glee, wrote: "GIRL YOU WOULDNT LET ME SIT AT THE TABLE WITH THE OTHER CAST MEMBERS CAUSE ‘I DIDNT BELONG THERE' F*** YOU LEA."

Imia Edwards, who also starred on the show, told The Sun : "I've never really seen anyone treat extras like that, to that level of, 'Ugh, don't look at me, don't make eye contact, ugh cockroaches, there they are.'

"She walked by me and burped in my face, this loud burp, directly almost face-to-face, it wasn't even like, 'oh she wouldn't have known...' she knew she burped in my face!"

Samantha Ware accused Lea of making her life 'a living hell' (WireImage)
Lea apologised for her behaviour (Getty Images for (RED))

And Heather Morris called Lea "unpleasant to work with" and said she was glad the actress was being held to account for her "disrespectful" behaviour.

After the allegations, Lea was dropped from several brand partnerships and shared an apology on her Instagram account.

She wrote: "While I don't remember ever making this specific statement and I have never judged others by their background or colour of their skin, that's not really the point.

"What matters is that I clearly acted in ways which hurt other people.

"Whether it was my privileged position and perspective that caused me to be perceived as insensitive or inappropriate at times.

"Or whether it was just my immaturity and me just being unnecessarily difficult, I apologise for my behaviour and for any pain which I have caused.

"We can all grow and change and I have definitely used these past several months to reflect on my own shortcomings."

Naya Rivera (Santana Lopez)

Naya played cheerleader Santana Lopez (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Naya sadly died in 2020 (WireImage)

After Glee, Naya released her own single called Sorry, which won her two ALMA Awards.

She continued acting, starring in horror film At the Devil's Door and in comedy Mad Families and drama Step Up.

The star also championed charitable causes including rights of LGBT+ people, women and immigrants.

But heartbreakingly, Naya's life was cut short in July 2020 when she died aged 33.

She took her four-year-old son Josey on a boating trip in Lake Piru, something which should have been fun and relatively easy for Naya as she was a strong swimmer with sailing experience - the actress had even visited the lake before on several occasions.

But while Josey would return from the 1,200-acre lake alive, he was alone.

Naya was reported to have declined a life jacket while arranging to rent the boat, opting for one for Josey only - but a member of staff ensured she had one of her own on board anyway.

Naya's last moments of energy were spent ensuring her son Josey was safe (AFP via Getty Images)

Mother and son set off for their exciting trip on July 8, 2020 at around 1pm, and they jumped into the water for a swim at an area known as 'Diablo Cove'.

They were expected back at 4pm, and when they did not return, a search began.

At 5pm, horrified rescuers found Josey alone in the boat, fast asleep.

Details of the autopsy shared with PA in Los Angeles stated that shortly after their swim, Naya pushed Josey back on to the boat and shouted for help.

Officials suggested they may have been caught in a powerful rip current making it difficult to stay afloat, while also battling strong winds and freezing cold water.

But the exact circumstances that led to Naya's death will never be fully known.

In Naya's final moments, she is believed to have mustered her last dregs of energy to push her son back on to the boat, saving his life, before succumbing to the water herself.

Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones)

Glee fans were wowed by Amber Riley's incredible singing voice (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
She's since released solo music (Getty Images)

Continuing to act and perform after Glee, Amber originated the role of Effie White in the West End debut of Dreamgirls in 2016, winning her an Olivier Award.

She won series 17 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013 with Derek Hough, later appearing as a judge on BBC One musical talent show Let It Shine.

The star also formed a musical theatre supergroup with Beverley Knight and Cassidy Janson, known collectively as Leading Ladies.

Their debut album, Songs from the Stage, was released in 2017.

In 2019, she took on the role of Audrey II, the carnivorous singing plant, in Little Shop of Horrors.

Amber has also released her own solo album under the name RILEY.

She recently spoke out against people calling her by her Glee character's name, tweeting: "I despise when ppl call me Mercedes. Put some respect on my name. Call me AMBER or RILEY.

"It's wild that I even have to say that. No shade to the show/character that gave me a career, but please stop this s**t. I don't answer to it, and if you do it facetiously I'll block you."

Heather Morris (Britanny S. Pierce)

Heather is now a mum of two (Getty Images)
Britanny was a cheerleader (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)

Glee fans went wild for Britanny's own episode which featured songs by Britney Spears and saw Heather recreate some of the pop star's most famous music videos.

She was initially a background character with very few lines, but caught the eye of the producers who decided to make the role more prominent.

Heather sparked controversy when she competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2017, because she was a professional dancer who had even performed with Beyonce on tour.

However, despite her getting the first perfect score of the series, she was eliminated in the sixth week.

Heather is married to Taylor Hubbell, and the pair actually went to the same high school though they didn't know each other there.

Naya and Heather stayed best friends after the show (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)

In a 2011 interview with Fitness, Heater said: "I want to marry [Taylor] so bad. That's what I really care about. I want to marry Taylor and have kids with him.

"I love acting, but if it affects my relationship, then I won't continue doing it."

In 2013, she gave birth to their first child, a son named Elijah Beckwith, and in 2016 they welcomed another baby boy named Owen Bartlett.

Heather was still best friends with Naya right up until her death, and honoured her with a tattoo that reads: "Tomorrow is not promised," based on the late actress' final tweet.

"You are the brightest star in my eyes Naya Rivera," wrote Heather.

"I’m so grateful GOD LAYED A HAND and brought us together as best friends, mom friends, scene partners, and everything in between. Your legacy lives on in kindness and being 'that sassy queen' in my eyes. I love you forever bebe girl."

Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang)

Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
She now hosts a podcast with her former Glee co-star (Getty Images)

Jenna has continued performing on the stage, which is where Glee creator Ryan Murphy initially discovered her.

She played Jeannie Ryan in the Hollywood Bowl production of Hair, Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer, and Dawn Williams in Waitress.

In 2018, she won a Tony Award for her role as a producer on that year's Best Revival of a Musical, Once on This Island.

The following year, Jenna and her former Glee co-star Kevin McHale launched their podcast Showmance to discuss their on-screen and offline relationship.

In the second series of the podcast, they started an in-depth recap of Glee, re-watching the episodes and sharing behind-the-scenes secrets.

Jenna is also well known for her charity work, supporting LGBT+ rights and ocean conservation, and founded her own foundation for adopted children and their families, having been adopted herself when she was baby.

The star has been married to David Stanley since July 2021, and they are expecting their first child together, a daughter, this June.

Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel)

Chris Colfer (centre) has written 18 books (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)

Chris won several awards for his role as Kurt, including Best Supporting Actor at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards, and three consecutive People's Choice Awards.

He wrote, starred in, produced, and novelised his first film, Struck by Lightning, which debuted at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.

He also wrote The New York Times bestselling The Land of Stories series of YA books, starting with The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell.

In fact, he's written a whopping 18 books already.

Chris has also acted since Glee, starring in Hot in Cleveland and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie - as well as writing his own episode of Glee, called Old Dog, New Tricks.

He has been in a relationship with actor and producer Will Sherrod since 2013.

Kevin McHale (Artie Abrams)

Kevin starred on X Factor: Celebrity (ITV)

Former boyband member Kevin was recently on our screens in X Factor : Celebrity, where he finished in seventh place.

He has also written and recorded his own music, including his album entitled Boy.

Kevin starred American Horror Stories, a spinoff of the original AHS show, and co-hosts the Showmance podcast with his former Glee co-star Jenna.

He came out as gay with a tweet in 2018, and has been in a relationship with actor Austin McKenzie since 2016.

Dianna Agron (Quinn Fabray)

Dianna is known for her charity work (Getty Images)
Dianna Agron played Quinn Fabray (Channel 4)

Dianna, who played cheerleader Quinn, has since starred in films including The Crash, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and Berlin, I Love You.

The kind-hearted star has also supported the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for several years, and went to visit refugees in Austria and in Jordan.

Dianna has also continued to sing, but revealed she would be performing songs in her natural lower register that she couldn't use with the higher-pitched songs she was given in Glee - with critics claiming she sounded much better than on the show.

She married Mumford & Sons guitarist Winston Marshall in 2016, but they split up in 2019 and officially separated in August 2020.

Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester)

Matthew Morrison is now a father (Getty Images)
He played Will Schuester (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)

When Glee ended, Matthew went back to Broadway, where his career had originally sky-rocketed.

As well as releasing his own music, he has starred in several productions from Finding Neverland to South Pacific, as well as TV roles on shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Younger and The Good Wife.

In 2019, he was a dance captain on competition series The Greatest Dancer.

That same year, he played Trevor in the ninth series of American Horror Story, which was also created by Ryan Murphy.

Matthew was previously engaged to Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause in 2006, but he's now married to Renee Puente after they tied the knot in 2014.

They welcomed son Revel James Makai Morrison in 2017.

After a series of heartbreaking miscarriages, they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Phoenix Monroe, in 2021.

Matthew has since created his own company which makes apparel for new dads, called Sherpapa.

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