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Original audition songs: Matthew Morrison sang and played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the ukulele. Lea Michele sang "On My Own" from "Les Miserables". Chris Colfer sang "Mr. Cellophane" from "Chicago". Jenna Ushkowitz sang "Waiting for Life" from "Once on this Island". Kevin McHale sang The Beatles. Amber Riley originally sang a pop song for her audition, but the producers asked her to sing "And I Am Telling You" from "Dreamgirls". Jayma Mays sang "Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". Although many people believe Cory Monteith sang "Can't Fight This Feeling" for his audition, but he really sang "Honesty" by Billy Joel, which he revealed on the Canadian radio show Q. By the end of the first season, Morrison, Michele, Colfer, and Riley had performed their songs on the show. Mays sang hers in the second season.
Darren Criss got the part of Blaine after a nationwide open audition, in which anyone could upload a video onto Glee's Myspace page singing one of two songs they allowed. He originally auditioned for the role of Finn.
On the day of her audition, Lea Michele was involved in a car accident right outside of the studio. She came into the audition pulling shards of glass from her hair.
Cory Monteith didn't sing in his first audition video. He instead produced a beat using makeshift drums. The producers liked his personality and originality so much they called his agent and requested he fly to Los Angeles for a live audition.
Matthew Morrison is less than four years older than Cory Monteith, Mark Salling, and Harry Shum, Jr., yet he plays their thirty-something teacher.
While filming scenes, Kevin McHale (Artie) had a habit of tapping his feet to the beat of the music. On several occasions, scenes had to be reshot because the tapping was audible.