Jonathan Groff Insists Lea Michele Would Win in a Physical Fight and Teases, 'She Hurts Me' (Exclusive)
Jonathan Groff Insists Lea Michele Would Win in a Physical Fight and Teases, 'She Hurts Me' (Exclusive)
Dave QuinnTue, March 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM UTC
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Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff guest star on Celebrity Substitute, coaching students in a talent competition at P.S. 57
In an exclusive clip shared with PEOPLE, the longtime friends reflect on their 20-year bond and playful rivalry, including their time on Glee
The episode premieres March 4 on YouTube, with Amazon supporting teachers by clearing classroom wish lists
Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff are stepping into a striking new role.
The Broadway stars and longtime friends are guesting on Celebrity Substitute, the hit digital series that sees some of the world’s most recognizable faces teach unsuspecting students.
PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the episode, which will find the stage and screen actors offering their expertise to students at P.S. 57 in Harlem, showing off their skills in what Michele calls "a fierce, fierce talent competition."
"Are you ready?" Michele, 39, challenges Groff as they sit down with host Julian Shapiro-Barnum (Recess Therapy) for a pre-show chat.
"I'm so ready," a confident Groff, 40, responds.
Jonathan Groff, Julian Shapiro-Barnum and Lea Michele on 'Celebrity Substitute'Credit: Danielle Perelman
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Of course, all is in good fun for the two pals, who have been friends for over 20 years since meeting during the development of their Tony Award-winning musical, Spring Awakening. Talking with Shapiro-Barnum, they admit they never felt in competition with one another — well, except for when they played rivals on Glee.
"We pretended to be competitive, which was probably the first time we were ever actually competitive," Groff says, Michele finishing his sentence. "I remember doing scenes where like, [Lea's] performing on stage and I'd be standing in the back [staring you down]. Or I'm performing on stage, and you're like, [frustrated]."
Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff on 'Celebrity Substitute'Credit: Danielle Perelman
That promoted Shapiro-Barnum's next question. "Who do you think would win in a physical fight?" the YouTube host, 27, asks.
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Without hesitation, Groff points to Michele, who takes the answer with pride. "100 percent," she says.
"She hurts me," Groff jokes, Michele adding a "yeah" before bursting out in laughter.
Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff (center) on 'Celebrity Substitute'Credit: Danielle Perelman
Fans will have to wait to see how Groff and Michele do as talent show coaches. The full episode drops on YouTube on Wednesday, March 4 at 10am ET.
Celebrity Substitute is executive produced by EGOT winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul via their Ampersand production banner, in collaboration with Amazon. As part of each episode, Amazon helps clear items from a lucky teacher’s Amazon Classroom List, a new tool specifically designed to streamline how teachers build and share resources for classrooms and students in their community.
Previous guest stars have included A$AP Rocky, Kehlani, Becky G, Cynthia Erivo, Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, Renee Rapp, Role Model, Rauw Alejandro, FKA Twigs and Billie Eilish, each bringing their own unique twist to the day’s lesson.
Meanwhile, Michele and Groff are both on Broadway right now — in two different shows.
She is currently leading the revival of Chess alongside Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher. The musical, with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and lyrics by Tim Rice, is likely to earn multiple nominations for the upcoming 2026 Tony Awards. Its limited run is currently scheduled to wrap on June 14.
Groff, on the other hand, will play his final performance as Bobby Darrin in Just in Time on March 29. The Tony-winner has been leading the production since it opened in April 2025 to great acclaim, and will be succeeded by Glee's Matthew Morriso (for three weeks beginning on April 1) and Jeremy Jordan (from April 21 on).
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
