Reflecting on the Vibrant Energy and Talent Behind the Scenes of 'Glee': Kate Hudson's Insider Perspective

Kate Hudson Recalls Glee Being a Very Dramatic Set 148

Kate Hudson. Michael Kovac/Getty Images for GLAAD

Kate Hudson shared her experience from her time on Glee with Jenna Ushkowitz on the "Sibling Reverly" podcast. She described the set as very dramatic, filled with a mix of personalities, talent, and youth.

Ushkowitz, 37, agreed with Hudson’s perspective but mentioned that she believed the intense nature of the show came from the strong bond among the cast.

“I have to be honest, we were all very close. Sure, we had our disagreements… but we truly felt like a family and it was more common to get along than not,” Ushkowitz shared. “Despite the drama — it’s really interesting to hear your thoughts, Kate — our show had many different elements and a variety of cast members with unique personalities.”

Hudson mentioned that the show was massive, especially for a young family like theirs. He acknowledged that working with talented individuals can sometimes be challenging, but also exciting. In a room full of such people, there's bound to be some entertaining drama.

Kate Hudson Recalls Glee Being a Very Dramatic Set 147

Fox Broadcasting Company

Hudson played Cassandra July on the TV show Glee from 2012 to 2013. The popular musical series ended in 2015 after running for six years.

The show focused on the glee club at William McKinley High School, with main characters like Will Schuester, Tina Cohen-Chang, Rachel Berry, and Finn Hudson.

Even though Glee is no longer on TV, Ushkowitz and her costar Kevin McHale continue to give fans a peek behind the scenes on their podcast "And That's What You REALLY Missed."

During a podcast episode in December 2023, McHale, who is 35 years old, shared that he once spread a rumor about Michele, who is 37, and Monteith dating before the couple confirmed it themselves.

During an episode, McHale explained that ratings for the show had started to decline slightly. They had enjoyed two successful years with great ratings, but this was the first time they had seen a significant decrease.

McHale mentioned that Michele agreed to the plan to fake a romance with Monteith. He suggested the idea of pretending to take a picture of Jenna while in the background, Cory and Lea appeared to be affectionate. The intention was to spark rumors of Cory and Lea dating, hoping to attract more viewers to the show.

Michele later told McHale that she and Monteith were in fact dating. The pair were together from late 2011 until his death at age 31 in July 2013 after an accidental drug overdose.

Editor's P/S:

Kate Hudson's and Jenna Ushkowitz's reflections on their time on "Glee" paint a vivid picture of a show that was both intensely dramatic and deeply cohesive. Hudson's observations highlight the unique challenges and rewards of working with a talented and diverse cast, while Ushkowitz emphasizes the strong family-like bond that existed among them. Despite the occasional disagreements, the cast remained close and supported each other through the show's ups and downs.

Ushkowitz's insights into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of "Glee" are particularly fascinating. The revelation that Kevin McHale and Lea Michele intentionally spread a rumor about their relationship to boost ratings underscores the lengths to which the show's producers were willing to go to maintain its popularity. However, it also speaks to the close connection between the cast members, who were willing to go along with such a plan in the interest of the show's success.