Lea Michele remembers Cory Monteith at Teen Choice Awards
Lea Michele stepped out at the Teen Choice AwardsSunday night, making her first appearance since the July 13 death of her "Glee" co-star and boyfriend Cory Monteith.
Donning a pink dress and matching shoes, along with a necklace that read "Cory," Michele tearfully accepted the choice TV actress in a comedy award for her role as Rachel Berry on "Glee."
Michele got emotional speaking the first words of her acceptance speech, saying through tears, "Thank you guys. I just wanted to be here today to personally thank all of you and tell everyone out here how much all of your love and support as meant to me over these past few weeks."
Michele and the rest of the "Glee" cast returned to the set to shoot season 5 of the Fox TV series last week without one of their principle cast members; Monteith died last month from a mixed drug toxicity involving heroin and alcohol at the age of 31.
"Not that I had any doubt before, but we certainly do have the greatest fans in the world. I want to dedicate this award to Cory," Michele, 26, told the crowd at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. "For all of you out there who loved Cory as much as I did -- I promise you we'll get through this together. He was very special to me and also to the world, and we were very lucky to witness his incredible talent his handsome smile and his beautiful, beautiful heart. So whether you knew him personally or as Finn, he reached out and became a part of all of our hearts. So thank you guys so much."
The TV comedy musical also won choice TV comedy, which saw many of the "Glee" castmembers onstage to accept the honor, which also turned into a tribute to Monteith. Amber Riley, 27, said, "Although we lost someone that we really love and that you guys love too we are very fortunate to come back to a show where we feel the love of family and Cory was like a brother to us."
"Glee" actress Jenna Ushkowitz, 27, gave a nod to the fans, saying, "We know that Cory would want to dedicate this award to you guys."
Monteith won the 2011 Teen Choice award for choice TV actor in a comedy for his role as Finn Hudson on "Glee." He also co-hosted the awards show in 2010.
The new season of "Glee" will begin on Sept. 26.
