Lea Michele Explains Why She Wears a Wig in Broadway's 'Chess' That Looks Just Like Her Own Hair Lea Michele is currently performing in the Broadway musical Chess eight times a week and she’s making sure to keep her hair healthy at the same time. The Emmy-nominated entertainer wears a wig for her role as Florence Vassy in the acclaimed musical and she’s explaining the reason for wearing a wig that looks exactly like her own hair. To achieve the straightened look required for her character, Lea says she would need to blow out and flat iron her hair every single day, which would eventually lead to damage. “I mean, how bad would that be for my hair?” she said. “Also, just because we wanted something different for act two, so by using a wig, not only would it protect my hair from damage and putting heat on it every night, we could then do something different in act two and in act two, she has shorter hair. Mentally now, she’s lighter.” “That’s the story of the wig. I love her,” Lea added. “She’s fierce. I would wear her every day.” The wig allows for a visual transformation in the second act of the musical, where her character’s appearance shifts to reflect a change in her mental state. Lea emphasized that the wig serves both practical and narrative purposes, ensuring her hair remains in good condition while supporting the story’s progression. The decision to use a wig also highlights the challenges of maintaining a specific look for a role without compromising personal care. Lea’s comments underscore the balance between artistic demands and self-preservation, a common consideration for performers in long-running productions. As the Broadway run of Chess continues through June 21, audiences can expect to see Lea’s commitment to her craft, both in her performance and her approach to maintaining her appearance.#chess #broadway #lea_michele #wig #florence_vassy
