“Glee” star Lea Michele addresses internet rumors that she is “illiterate” and speaks out against the online backlash she has received for “bullying” allegations.

Lea Michele was announced in July as the replacement for Beanie Feldstein in Isobel Lennart’s “Funny Girl” in the lead role of Fanny Brice.

Since one of her former co-stars, Samantha Marie Ware, accused the actress of “creating a bad work environment” on the set of “Glee,” she has faced online backlash. Following this revelation, brands such as HelloFresh US announced the end of their partnership with the star. Michele has apologized for the situation.

However, since 2018, online rumors have circulated that the singer-actress is illiterate. Netizens have been mocking the star over this theory, which resurfaces from time to time, as seen in a viral TikTok.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, the 36-year-old actress finally addresses the rumors. She dismisses any claims of her inability to read, implying that her gender is a major factor in the online backlash she has received.

Michele ranted:

“I went to ‘Glee’ every single day; I knew my lines every single day,” “And then there’s a rumor online that I can’t read or write? It’s sad. It really is. I think often if I were a man, a lot of this wouldn’t be the case.”

Michele went on to say that her current main focus is her upcoming role as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” which has been one of her biggest dreams in her Broadway career.

Michele expressed:

“You might think that’s the biggest piece of bull that I’m going to say to you all day, but I really don’t care about that at this point. It’s just about being able to play this part.”

Despite the actress finally speaking out about the internet rumors, Twitter users continue to mock Michele amid the ‘illiteracy’ conspiracy theories, mocking her recent statement.

Beanie Feldstein’s run as Fanny Brice ended on July 31, and Michele will begin in her new role at the August Wilson Theatre on September 4.