Lea Michele Welcomes First Child With Husband Zandy Reich

Congratulations are in order for Lea Michele and her husband, Zandy Reich who just became new parents! The 33-year-old former Glee star gave birth to a baby boy on August 20.

“Everyone’s happy and healthy, and they’re extremely grateful”

“Lea and Zandy welcomed a son that they named Ever Leo,” an insider revealed. “Lea has been inundated with well-wishes and sharing updates with her family and a close group of girlfriends. Everyone’s happy and healthy, and they’re extremely grateful,” the source says. “Lea, Zandy and Ever are doing very well. He’s been an easy baby so far,” the source added of Michele and Reich’s first child.

The Beach side Proposal

Michele and Reich, who is president of the AYR clothing company, tied the knot in March 2019 after announcing their engagement in April 2018. The couple was first romantically linked in July 2017. After dating for nearly 2 years, Reich proposed to Michele the following April, with a four-carat elongated radiant cut ring. Which he personally designed with Leor Yerushalmi and The Jewelers of Las Vegas.

Michele took to social media to announce their engagement posting a photo of herself with her ring-bearing hand on her face. “Yes,” the Scream Queens alum wrote in the caption, alongside their beach-side proposal photo.

“I get to be married to my best friend, which is the greatest thing in the entire world”

The couple got married in an intimate ceremony in Northern California with over 200 close family members and friends. Including Michele’s former Glee co-stars, Darren Criss and Becca Tobin, along with her former Scream Queens, co-star Emma Roberts.

Prior to her wedding in July 2019, Michele opened up about marrying Reich and gushed about finding someone special to spend the rest of her life with. “I get to be married to my best friend, which is the greatest thing in the entire world,” she told in an interview. “At this point in my life, I feel the most grounded — and happiest — I ever have.”

“We are so excited to be married and grateful to be surrounded by our friends and family,” the couple said in a statement at the time of their wedding. “And most of all, we’re so happy to spend the rest of our lives together.”

The Pregnancy Announcement

Lea and Zandy announced they were expecting their first child on May 2. The actress posted a picture of herself displaying her blossoming baby bump in a blue patterned maxi dress. She captioned it, ‘So grateful’ followed by a yellow heart emoji.

Since then, Michele has been teasing her son’s arrival in a series of photos posted on her Instagram in which she posed with her baby bump. “Getting some extra sleep while I can” or “reflection looking a little different these days.”

“Lea really enjoyed being pregnant without distractions”

Back in May 2018, Michele admitted that she and Reich weren’t ready to start a family just yet, but they definitely would someday. “I’m still playing roles that are under 21, so I kind of want to push that as long as I can.” she told in an interview. “Having a baby might mess that up for me.” But, at the time, she said she “100 percent” planned on having at least one child when the time was right. A lot has obviously changed in two years for the now new mother.

Earlier this year in May, amid the coronavirus pandemic, a source revealed that the expectant star was having an “incredible time” being pregnant. “Lea has wanted to take it easy for the first part of her pregnancy,” the insider shared at the time. “She has really enjoyed being present and getting to soak in being pregnant without distractions.”

Dealing with the loss of her former co-stars

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Michele. In the midst of her pregnancy joy, Lea experienced an unfortunate loss, with the death of her former Glee co-star Naya Rivera at 33 in July.

The Glee star was reported as missing on July 8. She vanished on Lake Piru, after taking a pontoon boat out on the water with her four-year-old son Josey. Her son was found on the boat, but there was no sign of the actress. After an excruciating week-long search, her body was later discovered and laid to rest on July 24 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. The death certificate confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.

Once she learned of Rivera’s tragic passing, Lea took to her Instagram Story to pay her tributes to Naya. As well as their late co-star, Cory Monteith. Michele was dating Monteith when he died in 2013 at the age of 31, after suffering an overdose of heroin and alcohol.

Controversies, Feuds and Apologies

Michele has also been under fire lately, as a number of her former co-stars have come forward and called out the actress for her nasty behaviour.

In June, following George Floyd’s death, Michele publicized her support of the Black Lives Matter movement. She called for an end to deaths like Floyd’s. In response to her tweet, several of the actress’ former co-stars spoke out about their alleged experiences with Michele on set. Including Samantha Marie Ware, who appeared on Glee as Jane Hayward, a recurring character during the show’s sixth season.

“Remember when you made my first television gig a living hell?!?!”

“Remember when you made my first television gig a living hell?!?! Cause I’ll never forget. I believe you told everyone that if you had the opportunity you would ‘s— in my wig!’ amongst other traumatic microaggressions that made me question a career in Hollywood.” Ware tweeted in all caps.

Michele later issued a public apology on Instagram. “I apologise for my behaviour and for any pain which I have caused. We can all grow and change. And I have definitely used these past several months to reflect on my own shortcomings.”

“I think she is a despicable, horrible human being”

Former Broadway co-star, Craig Ramsay, who worked with Michele on a production of Fiddler on the Roof slammed Lea while recalling her behaviour in an interview.

“I just did not want to hear Lea Michele’s name in this interview. At all! I think she is a despicable, horrible human being. I think she has lost touch with reality.” Ramsay said. By the looks of it, Michele has had her share of feuds for the year. The actress is now moving forward to focus on her family.