Lea Michele covers the March issue of Prestige Hong Kong, with a glam photoshoot. I usually don’t really mind Lea that much because I’m not a “Glee” watcher, so she seems pretty inconsequential and much like the latest primetime television flavor of the month. However, this interview just reads like she’s bullsh*tting us. For one, Lea insists that she and the rest of the “Glee” cast are a big, happy family. I can sort of buy that she tolerates the rest of the cast and thinks that they tolerate her back, but I doubt they’re as tight as she claims. At the very least, Lea is disliked by the wardrobe, hair, and makeup departments of the show; yet she seems oblivious, which is probably a good thing.

Here’s another telling tidbit — Lea actually namedrops Gwyneth Paltrow here, which is strange because (as far as I know) the only other celebrity to namedrop Goop is one Courtney Love. Someone needs to tell Lea that Goop does the namedropping, not the other way around. It’s a law of the universe or something. Anyway, here are some Prestige excerpts:

The “Glee” cast is tight? “We have sort of bonded together in a way, like what we’ve been through no one else can really understand. We have this incredible connection as a cast. We’re sort of inseparable. If we didn’t get along the way we did, I think you’d be able to see it in these episodes. The fact that we are such a family, I think that transcends, and I do think that is one of the reasons why the show is as successful as it is. [P]eople can try to make up as much drama as they like, but the truth is that we really are the happiest family.”

On guest stars: “Everyone is so fantastic. We have such great people who come on. I mean, it’s like everyone that they pick is so fantastic. I had such a great time with Gwyneth [Paltrow], though. She’s such an awesome person. I can’t believe the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to work and sing with Gwyneth Paltrow. She is definitely up there as one of my favourites.”

On kissing Ashton in New Year’s Eve: “That was actually the first scene we did. It was day one of shooting. The first thing I did was that scene. We didn’t do it too many times. Garry Marshall is a very fast director, so maybe we just did it a handful of times. I come from Broadway [laughs]. I’ve done a lot of things. That’s child’s play compared to some of the stuff that I’ve done.”

On making Maxim’s “Hot 100” list: “Actually, I didn’t know that I was until you just told me. That’s awesome! That’s really cool. I’m a role model to a lot of young girls who watch Glee and it’s important for me to remember that in my daily life and in the roles that I choose right now. For things like that, I think that it’s an honour. I still sort of don’t see myself in that way. But why not? I think it’s really cool that people see me as being that kind of sexy person. I see it as just sort of a side of me.”

She not wild, just one of those homebodies: “Well, I do have 14 tattoos. But I also do come home every single night and watch reality TV with my cat. I’d say for the most part I’m a very outgoing person. I have a lot of energy. I love being around people. But I’m not wild in the sense of ‘going out’ wild. I’m much more homebody. I’m much more being in intimate places with people. I definitely say I am an outgoing person. I’m an energetic, spontaneous person. But the wild stuff…if it’s there, it’s private.”

She’s not dating anyone: “I was in a relationship for a very long time [with Theo Stockman] and I’m newly single now for the past couple of months and just enjoying taking care of myself and working right now at this point in my life.”

On her career goals: “Well, for the past five to 10 years I’ve had the opportunity to do a little bit of everything. I was on Broadway. I did an arena tour this summer. I did a movie. I did an animated movie. I’m on a television show. I’ve gotten to work for some of my favourite charities and do things that I feel like I’m making my mark in the world and for the planet. I have had a number-one song on the iTunes charts, sold thousands of records from the show. And my dream would be to continue to be able, as an actor, to do all those things.”

[From Prestige Hong Kong]

Do I actually believe that Lea wasn’t aware that she’d made the Maxim “100 List” (at #28, no less)? Not for a moment. Her denial of dating anyone is rather sketchy as well. This interview was conducted on Grammy’s eve, and Lea reportedly spent Valentine’s Day with Corey Monteith. Not that it really matters if she’s evading dating questions, but it is rather amusing that Lea is cutting down her kissing scene with Ashton Kutcher when her red carpet behavior made it seem like she really wanted a shot with Sir Douche. My guess is that he gave her the “just friends” speech, and her “child’s play” comment is a bit of retaliation, but I could be wrong.

As for this photoshoot, Lea looks good but in a very costumey way. It’s really hard for me to find her pretty when her attitude seems so rotten.

Photos courtesy of Prestige Hong Kong