Although Lea Michele may be channeling Britney Spears for an upcoming episode of 'Glee,' she says she's never felt pressure to look like the pop princess.
In a recent interview, the brunette beauty credits being raised by an Italian mom and Jewish dad with boosting her body confidence.
"I come from a big Italian family and the pressure is not really anything I've been raised to feel," Michele, 23, says, according to an Us Weekly report.
"I've always been proud of my body, my Jewish nose and all of that. Hollywood's Hollywood, but that's not going to change."
Still, the Broadway-trained star admits she was somewhat surprised to land a role on the hit Fox series. "I never really thought there would be a place on television for me," Michele, who plays spoiled diva Rachel Berry on 'Glee,' told the Daily News last year.
"I have a very specific look. I'm Jewish. I'm Italian."
Growing up, the Bronx-born actress noticed that there weren't many girls on TV who looked like her. But that didn't make Michele any less proud of her appearance -- instead, she drew inspiration from another New York native who started out on the stage and went on to become a movie and music superstar.
"I remember looking up to Barbara Streisand, and thinking, 'Finally, someone who has a Jewish nose, who didn't get a nose job,'" says Michele, who hopes that 'Glee' fans feel the same way whenever they see her on screen.
"If that is inspiring and can give young girls a sense of confidence, that's great."
Source: popeater
