2013s TCAs: ‘Glee’s’ Lea Michele makes first appearance since Cory Monteith’s death

For the first time in what has clearly been a difficult past few weeks, Lea Michele made a public appearance at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday night and paid tribute to the man who has unfortunately left this world far too soon in Cory Monteith. She also won an award in the process.

After “Glee” was declared Choice TV: Comedy by the voters yet again, Michele took home a trophy for her role as Rachel Berry (she has also won in the past.) However, it is pretty fair to say that this win is a little bit different. She carried a great emotional weight coming onto the stage after the rest of her cast did, and her remarks were heart-felt and understandably full of tears.

She said that Cory was a bright light who had a “handsome smile,” and she offered up this sentence as to why Cory’s talent and love was universal:

“Whether you knew him personally or just as Finn Hudson, Cory reached out and touched so many of our hearts.”

“Glee” is already in the process of filming what it is fifth season, which Lea arriving on the set near the end of this past week to start shooting scenes. While there was a mini-tribute anchored tonight featuring the likes of Amber Riley and Jenna Ushkowitz, the larger one is going to come during the third episode of the upcoming season. This will mark the first real opportunity for the show to actually address what has happened to Finn Hudson, and then try and move forward.

Do you like the way in which this tribute was handled on the show tonight? If you want to read some more news related to the Teen Choice Awards, including some winners from the night, just be sure to visit the link here.

Photo: Fox