Keke Palmer Debunks Viral Theory That Lea Michele Cannot Read

Did Keke Palmer just debunk the viral theory about Lea Michele’s literacy level?

“I know that she can read y’all,” Palmer, 31, said while appearing on the Tuesday, November 19, episode of “The Toast” podcast. “I ain’t never seen her reading but I know that she can read. She’s got to.”

Podcast host Claudia Oshry brought up the viral conspiracy during an interview with Palmer — who had never heard it before. (The “One More Thing” podcast hosts started the rumor in 2017.)

“Damn, that’s crazy why do people do this stuff,” Palmer said, noting that she couldn’t recall a time when Michele, 38, had read a book on the Scream Queens set.

“I mean don’t nobody see me reading a book on set,” Palmer added, laughing. “Y’all know that girl can read.”

Palmer continued, “Honestly, y’all if she can’t read, so what? S—, some people can’t read. [If] she can’t read, momma can’t read.”

The Master of Me author continued, saying that she’s “here for” those who “can’t read.”

Palmer and Michele worked together on the two-season series Scream Queens, playing Zayday Williams and Hester Ulrich, respectively.

While this is the first time that Palmer has been asked publicly about Michele’s ability — or, ahem, inability — to read, it’s hardly the only time she’s spoken publicly about the Glee alum.

In November 2021, Palmer appeared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen when she was asked about her relationship with Michele and Ariana Grande after Scream Queens ended.

“I love Lea, where Lea at?” Palmer said. “I haven’t talked to her in a minute now you brought it up, I’m like man where is Lea.”

Michele herself has also addressed the conspiracy about her being unable to read. She called the rumors “sad” during a September 2022 interview with The New York Times.

“I went to Glee every single day; I knew my lines every single day. And then there’s a rumor online that I can’t read or write?” she said. “I think often if I were a man, a lot of this wouldn’t be the case.”

That same month, Michele was quick to poke fun at the rumors after joining TikTok.

@leamichele

lol 😉🤪😌

♬ –

“Calling Jonathan to read me the comments on my first TikTok,” she captioned a video, referring to longtime friend Jonathan Groff.

In fact, Groff also debunked the illiteracy conspiracy (try to say that five times fast) earlier this year.

“I have seen her read,” Groff said on the “Tactful Pettiness” podcast last month. “Oh, my god. LOL. Wait, do you really think she can’t read? How does that even get started? … She did not come in off book.”