Keke Palmer Sets the Record Straight on That Long-Standing Lea Michele Rumor

For years, a bizarre conspiracy theory has swirled online claiming that Glee alum Lea Michele, 38, is illiterate. And now, actress and all-around icon Keke Palmer, 31, has officially shut it down.

During a guest appearance on the November 19 episode of The Toast podcast, Palmer addressed the rumor for the first time—after host Claudia Oshry filled her in on the viral theory.

“I know that she can read, y’all,” Palmer assured listeners with a laugh. “I ain’t never seen her reading, but I know that she can read. She’s got to!”

Palmer, who worked with Michele on Scream Queens, was equal parts baffled and amused by the internet’s dedication to the theory. “Damn, that’s crazy. Why do people do this stuff?” she asked, before pointing out that just because someone doesn’t crack open a book on set doesn’t mean they can’t read.

“I mean, don’t nobody see me reading a book on set,” Palmer joked. “Y’all know that girl can read.” She even offered a hilariously laid-back perspective on the whole thing: “Honestly, y’all, if she can’t read, so what? Some people can’t read. [If] she can’t read, momma can’t read.”

For what it’s worth, Michele has had a sense of humor about the whole thing. Back in September 2022, she poked fun at the rumor with a cheeky TikTok. In the clip, she pretended to make a phone call, writing over the video: “Calling Jonathan to read me the comments on my first TikTok.” Her caption? A simple, “lol.” Iconic.