Timeline of Lea Michele and Cory Monteith’s Passionate Yet Short-Lived Romance

Lea Michele and Cory Monteith had a passionate relationship that would have been described as a fairytale romance. They were reportedly in a secret relationship after meeting on the “Glee” set before revealing their relationship status.

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele were the perfect screen couple from their roles in “Glee.” However, they soon became real-life lovers. The actress revealed that one day, they looked at each other and knew they wanted to date themselves.

They were together until his death, and she said she never thought she would be in such a position. However, Lea Michele was glad she was with someone with whom she shared a great life as they could talk about many things.

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele at the 18th Annual ELTON JOHN AIDS Foundation Oscar Party on March 7, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

Losing him left a deep mark on Michele’s heart, but the actress said she felt she was given the best part of the actor and was thankful for that. The following year after his death, she said:

“I’m just so glad we’re in a new year. I feel physically and emotionally very strong. You don’t know how strong you are until you have to be. […] I always feel that he’s watching over me.”

The actress, who said she never thought she would be in that position in her whole life, also revealed that she was physically and mentally shocked and damaged. After a while, she started doing yoga, and it helped. Let’s take a look at their love story.

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele attending the Versace Haute-Couture Show on July 1, 2012 | Source: Getty Images

2009

Michele and Monteith met for the first time when they were cast as onscreen lovers on the set of the TV show “Glee.” However, they acted their roles so well and had great chemistry during interviews.

Their chemistry led fans to start thinking they were dating in reality. However, at the time, Michele was dating the “American Idiot” star Theo Stockman, and Monteith said he was not in a relationship but would keep it private even if he was.

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele at the 2010 People’s Choice Awards on January 6, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

2011

After more than a year of dating, Stockman and Michele ended their relationship in September 2011. Her representative, who confirmed the split, said:

“This is not a dramatic breakup, the relationship just ran its course. They are still friends and will always be friends.”

They were a low-profile couple before making their first public appearance at the Time 100 Most Influential People gala in May 2010.

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele attending the 12th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 8, 2013 | Source: Getty Images

AUGUST 2012

After Michele split up with her ex-boyfriend in 2011, many speculated that she and Monteith were dating. However, they did not address the rumors until the following year.

In August 2012, they made their red carpet debut as a couple when they attended the Do Something Awards confirming they were an item.

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele at the Do Something Awards on August 19, 2012 | Source: Getty Images

NOVEMBER 2012

No longer having to hide, their relationship blossomed as they spent time together. In November 2012, Monteith took to his Twitter page to share a sweet photo of his girlfriend on a snow resort.

In the image, Michele was seated in the snow in an all-black ensemble, including her ski goggles, as she got ready to strap on her snowboard.

DECEMBER 2012

In December 2012, Michele gave an interview where she dished out her love life. She said:

“I don’t even remember a time when he wasn’t my boyfriend. No one knows me better than Cory. No one knows what it’s been like to go through this more than he does. Feeling like you have that net underneath you allows you to jump higher and go farther.”

She further stated that the actor inspired her, making her feel like she could do anything, and for the first time in her life, she felt settled and happy and the luckiest girl in the world.

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele attending the PaleyFest Icon Award on February 27, 2013 | Source: Getty Images

MARCH 2013

Unfortunately, Monteith’s history of substance abuse started when he was 13. In March 2013, he checked into rehab, and Michele showed her support for him. She said:

“I love and support Cory and will stand by him through this. I am grateful and proud he made this decision.”

Michele was not the only support he had as 20th Century Fox TV. The producers of “Glee” also put out a statement to show their support for the actor, wished him well, and looked forward to his return.

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele attending the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 27, 2013 | Source: Getty Images

JULY 2013

Sadly, Monteith died of an overdose on July 13, 2013, at Hotel Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Canada. An autopsy revealed that he died from the combination of substance abuse.

Michele coped with grief for several weeks, and later, she thanked everyone who supported her via an Instagram post. In the caption, she said:

“Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love and support. Cory will forever be in my heart.”

NEVER FORGOTTEN

Michele never forgot the memory of Monteith. She said she felt that the insane love they had for each other morphed into the strength she had to deal with his death.

And every year, she never fails to pay tribute on the anniversary of his death. In 2015, she drew a tattoo of the number five on her body in memory of her quarterback, whose football number was five on “Glee.”

In 2019, Michele got another tattoo to honor Monteith as she inked his “Glee” character name “Finn” on her upper left thigh. In July 2020, she shared a black and white photo of the 31-year-old star holding flowers via her Instagram story.

Eight years later, Michele shared a black-and-white photo of Monteith on her Instagram stories to celebrate the eighth anniversary of his death. She captioned the picture where he was waving at a crowd of people with a small red heart emoji.

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