Lea Michele Chokes Up, Dedicates Teen Choice Award to Cory Monteith

Actress praises fallen costar who "became a part of all of our hearts"

By Brett Malec Aug 12, 2013 2:12 AMTags
Lea MicheleKevin Winter/Getty Images

Lea Michele broke her silence about her late boyfriend Cory Monteith with a tearful and touching speech during tonight's Teen Choice Awards in L.A.

"I just wanted to be here today, to personally thank all of you and tell everyone out there how much all of your love and support has meant to me over these past very difficult few weeks," the Glee actress said while accepting her award for Choice TV Actress.

Michele continued as she began to weep, "I wanted to dedicate this award to Cory. For all of you out there who loved and admired Cory as much as I did, I promise that with your love, we're gonna 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 just as Finn Hudson, Cory reached out and he became a part of all of our hearts," she said, adding, "And that's where he'll stay forever."

Before Michele's emotional speech, the Glee cast took the stage to dedicate their show's award to Monteith, who passed away last month from a drug overdose.

Cory was like a brother to us," Amber Riley said. "He was always ready to sign an autograph or take a picture with a fan and he loved his gleeks."

Jenna Ushkowitz added, "So on behalf of our brother and our castmate, we know that Cory would have wanted to dedicate this award to you guys."

After the Glee cast's speech and Michele's tearful address, a photo of Monteith was shown on stage.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images