Idina Menzel Opens Up: The Truth About Her Controversial Casting as Rachel's Mom on Glee
Idina Menzel opens up about her casting as Rachel's mom on Glee, admitting it wasn't easy on her ego due to the significant age difference between her and Lea Michele
Summary
Idina Menzel, who played Rachel's mom in Glee, was worried about her age when she got cast in the role, fearing it would affect her future career.
Menzel thought that she should have portrayed Rachel's sister instead of her mother because of their 15-year age difference, which could have resulted in a more fascinating plot. However, despite this age gap, Menzel's portrayal of Shelby left a lasting impression on Glee and paved the way for future storylines involving Rachel.
Idina Menzel, best known for her role in Glee, discussed her casting as Rachel's mother on the show. Despite there being a small age difference between her and Lea Michele, who played Rachel, Menzel reflected on her experience and concerns about her career.
Could Shelby Have Worked As Rachel's Long Lost Sister?
You're concerned about never finding employment again, only to end up being hired as a surrogate mother to someone who you should probably be an older sister to. It was quite disheartening.
Menzel has expressed her belief that she should have portrayed Rachel's sister rather than her mother on the television show Glee. Despite their 15-year age difference in reality, the storyline could have still accommodated Shelby as Rachel's long-lost sister. This alternative approach may have resulted in a different means for Rachel to discover her biological mother, potentially with the role being played by an older actor than Menzel was at the time.
Menzel's portrayal of Shelby in Glee truly left a lasting impact, contributing to a memorable storyline in season 1. Despite her close resemblance to Michele, Menzel's performance as Shelby stands out as a timeless character in the show. However, it is understandable why Menzel would want to avoid being typecast as a mother figure throughout her career, considering her role in Glee.
Although Menzel's appearance in the show ended after season 4, Michele's character Rachel took on a Broadway storyline in seasons 4 and 5. This plotline bears similarities to Shelby's character, particularly her role as a vocal coach. Without Menzel's portrayal of Shelby, Rachel's future storylines might not have had the same impact. Nevertheless, it would have been more fitting for Glee to cast an older actress as Shelby, while offering Menzel a role that aligns better with her age.
Source: Stellar Magazine (via TVLine)
