Lea Michele Explains Wig Use for Chess Musical Revival Lea Michele has shared the reasoning behind her decision to wear a wig that mimics her natural hair for the Broadway revival of the musical Chess. The Glee star plays Florence Vassy in the production, which stars opposite Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher. Michele explained that the wig serves both practical and artistic purposes, protecting her hair from damage caused by frequent styling and heat. She also highlighted how the wig allows for a visual transformation during the second act, as her character’s hair shortens and her demeanor shifts. “I mean, how bad would that be for my hair?” Michele quipped, referencing the potential harm of nightly heat styling. “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.” She emphasized that the wig enhances her performance, allowing her to fully embody the character’s evolution. Michele praised the wig’s role in the storytelling, calling the character “fierce” and expressing her admiration for the transformation. “That’s the story of the wig. I love her,” she said, adding that she would “wear her every day.” In a follow-up clip, the actress reiterated her affection for her own curly hair, describing it as “cute” and “wild.” She also noted that neither of her children, five-year-old Ever and 18-month-old Emery, have curly hair, which she found surprising. The musical, which runs at New York City’s Imperial Theatre until June 21, continues to draw attention as part of its revival.#lea_michele #aaron_tveit #nicholas_christopher #imperial_theatre #chess_musical
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
