
“Our first mentor of the season is one of my great friends. This person is the first person we cast on Glee. They are a huge inspiration in who they are.” - Ryan Murphy

Ten minutes later, Michele is still posing for pictures and signing autographs, while a security guard attempts to tell an unresponsive gaggle around her that the actress has to get back to work. She is supposed to be on set with her cast, but insists that the little girl with two fathers wait for her outside the auditorium. Once there, Michele wraps her delicate arms around the girl and asks her about the experience. “How do you feel in school? What did you tell them?” she asks, visibly touched by her character’s impact. “You’re cool now; you’re like Rachel Berry,” she says to the nodding fan, adding, “I’m so proud of you.” (x)