Craving exclusive Glee content?

Well you’re in luck! Fox just revealed their new Mobile Messaging Club that sends exclusive media to their members via text messages. The weekly text messages will include content such as set lists and “[videos with] FOX talent and producers, exclusive photos, promos and other fun behind-the-scenes scoop on your favorite FOX series, starting today with GLEE.”

All you have to do is text GLEE to 94444 to start receiving messages.

Skeptical? Have no fear! I tested it for everyone and here’s exactly what happened. I sent a text to 94444 and within seconds, I got a reply from “GLEE” with a link in the message. I clicked the link on my smartphone, and low and behold a welcome video from Chris Colfer was ready for playback. Pretty cool!

Non-smartphone users can still sign up, but they will have to manually type the links on their computers to see the promos. Your standard messaging and data rates may apply. Unfortunately for international fans, this mobile club is only available for US Gleeks.

Source: FOX Announces Fan Mobile Message Program!

Kevin McHale, also known as Glee‘s Artie Abrams, has answered your questions in his exclusive Q&A with GleeFan.com! He talks about what it was like filming Glee in NYC, his traveling experiences, if a solo album is in his future, and the most amusing thing he’s found while trolling the Tumblrverse. Enjoy!
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Q: “What was your favorite part of shooting in NYC?” – Ellen H. (18, New York)
A: Seeing so many of the fans come to out to watch us. It was really insane and I didn’t expect it at all. Our trailers were on the side of the street, so you can’t really block people off, so it was intense to walk out of your door and have tons of people right there!

Q: “How did you feel about coming to Melbourne in July this year?” – Natasha S. (18, Melbourne, Australia)
A: I absolutely love Melbourne! It’s definitely one of my favorite cities I’ve ever been to. The food is amazing and (not to sound too superficial) but it has the most beautiful people, haha.

Q: “Would you ever consider doing a solo album sometime in the future?” – Fatima M. (16, Dubai)
A: I think if I had the right songs that I was really proud of and naturally felt like the right time, I don’t see why not. It’s all about the songs though. I want to do something I’m happy with, and I’m super critical so it’s a challenge.

Q: “What has been the best advice ever given to you?” – Kat V. (14, Manila, Philippines)
A: It’s not real advice as much as it is a saying from my sister, and I’m pretty sure she stole it from Oprah. “Luck is being prepared at the right moment,” which means always be prepared because you never know when that time will be!

Q: “Has there been a particular moment where the extent of Glee‘s fame has really ‘hit you’?” – Lauren B. (Sunshine Coast, Australia)
A: There are really 2 moments:
1) During the first tour at Radio City Music Hall and having so many people barricaded outside the stage door. It was definitely a Beatles moment.
2) My brother Timmy who was going to uni in England when the show started airing in the US and had been watching it online and had no idea that the show was as successful as it was. So, when I went over to London last summer for the first time, he was laughing at why Fox had given us security and vans to travel in. Granted, he’s 6’3″ and I’m not even 5’8″, so he felt odd that his little brother would need that, and so did I. As soon as we left the hotel for the first, time I started getting recognized and stopped and then more and more people came up and eventually camped outside the hotel. He was so freaked out because he had never seen it, and for me that was one of the coolest things, to be able to go to a place I had always dreamed of going, and to have people who know who I was AND to see my brother’s reaction was priceless.

Q: “Although your character is in a wheelchair, we know in real life are amazing dancer. Who is your dance inspiration and why?” – Missy S. (13, Las Vegas, Nevada)
A: MJ [Michael Jackson] is obvious, I know, but it’s so much more than just how great of a dancer he was. It was what he did to popular music and stage shows. He did things that no one had ever done on that scale, and was so dedicated. I remember years ago someone telling me how he would spend 8 hours in a dance working on a single spin. That’s perfection.

Click here to read the rest of the Q&A…

Ashley Fink, also known as New Directions addition Lauren Zizes, has answered your questions in this exclusive GleeFan.com Q&A! She talks about her inspirations, how she got to be on Glee, her favorite music, and her advice for girls who are struggling with their self-esteem. Enjoy!
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Q: “I was wondering who are your inspirations? What made you want to become an actor?” – Erika (24, Los Angeles, CA)
A: I have so many inspirations! A huge escape from the angst of youth, for me, was television. I’ve always admired funny women… Roseanne, Kathy Griffin, Amy Sedaris, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders… I’ve consistently been inspired by the power of comedy! Seth Green, John Candy, Bill Murray, any and all of the cast of Friends. Also any movie Tim Burton, Stanley Kubrick or Christopher Guest ever made has inspired me.
I believe I knew I wanted to be an actor when I was 3 years old. I hung sheets up, pretended they were stage curtains, laced up my tap shoes and put on endless shows for my poor parents… I was no fool however, I charged them admission.

Q: “If you had to choose to be any Disney character, who would you be?” – Eleanor O. (19, Melbourne, Australia)
A: Mrs. Potts because I’d love to sing, “Beauty and the Beast.” Also I love me some Angela Lansbury… and Colfer could be my Chip! Or I’d be Mufasa… because… duh… He’s Mufasa.

Q: “Lady Gaga and Ke$ha are hanging from a cliff and you can only save one. Who do you save?” – Rachel S. (19, Philadelphia, PA)
A: Ha! I’d save Gaga because I wouldn’t want her fashions to get disheveled… And I’m assuming the amount of glitter Ke$ha has on will break the impact of her fall.

Q: “What was the audition process for Glee like for you?” – Dani H. (24)
A: Crazy! Robert Ulrich who cast Glee is just a doll. I was very lucky in the fact that he kept bringing me in the office to read for different characters on the show, and I remember the day I read for Lauren. It was a Saturday (which is unusual but they needed to cast the roll asap), I was running late because there was mad traffic… I hadn’t had my daily coffee… Made it there just in time and I went in that room and just… I don’t know how to describe it… Sometimes things just click.

Q: “How did you react when you found out you were going to have a song to yourself?” – Jamilia S-W. (18, Atlanta, GA)
A: I think with a squeal followed by a jump kick… Yeah… there was definitely a high kick in there somewhere. I was thrilled! Mr. Ryan Murphy (who I’m obsessed with) told me before I actually read it in the script. And, “I Know What Boys Like” is such a fun 80’s anthem. Totally a Zizes jam.

Q: “If you can pick any song for Lauren to sing to Puck, what would you choose?” – Nicole B.
A: Haha… Any song?! The world is my oyster in this scenario! I may have to pick a few! Okay–
“Head Over Feet” (the acoustic version) by Alanis Morissette
“The Only One” by Melissa Etheridge
“One and Only” by Adele
and last but not least, I’d love to duet “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard with the Puckerman. That would be boss!

Q: “If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 people would you want to be stuck with?” – Kimberly S. (13, Ottawa, Canada)
A: Colfer because god knows I can’t live without my boo, my mom because she has the power to make any terrible situation not seem so bad, and the Genie from Aladdin because he could provide things like food, water and cable TV.

Q: “Do you consider yourself a nerd? And, if so, what sorts of nerdy things do you love?” – Alison T. (21, Albuquerque, NM)
A: Ha! If the cats not out of the bag already I’ll confirm it, I. Am. A. Nerd. I eat, sleep and breath anything Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars or mustaches. I am looking at my shelf of action figures as I type… We have all of the Ninja Turtles in front of their New York postcard backdrop, some Smurfs, Jack Skellington, Seth Green (yes, he has an action figure from Austin Powers, check it out), the Wicked Witch of the West, some Fraggles that I got in a happy meal. Also you should know I bring a zombie finger puppet named, “Harold” everywhere. He even came to the Golden Globes.

Q: “What do you sing in the shower?” – Maddy H. (14, Sydney, NSW, Australia)
A: Oh man… “I Would Do Anything For Love” by Meatloaf, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler, “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astly, anything from the Wicked or Rent catalogue… This list goes on and on, just ask my neighbors.

Q: “Do you have a favorite charitable organization or one you feel most passionate about?” – LaDonna M. (27, Tacoma, WA)
A: Yes! I love the folks over at the Trevor Project, they are just incredible and are truly changing lives. www.thetrevorproject.org
Also the Alzheimer’s Association is near and dear to my heart, one of my best friend’s father recently passed away and he was unfortunately afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Seeing someone go through that is life changing. www.alz.org
The NOH8 campaign is also great and the funds they raise go to promoting and raising awareness for Marriage Equality and anti-discrimination around the world! www.noh8campaign.com

Q: “What activities did you participate in while in high school, and what is the one activity that you didn’t participate in that you now wish you had?” – Carrie S. (31, Van Alstyne, TX)
A: High School activities… Does trash talking and going to the record store count? Hahah… No, in all seriousness I went to a performing arts school and it took up literally all of my life. Rehearsals on nights and weekends, then musical theatre camp in summer. There was not much I didn’t participate in… I was a little Rachel Berry in that regard.

Q: “If you could pick any song for Lauren Zizes to sing on the show, what would it be?” – Kelly
A: “I’m Every Woman” – Chaka Khan
“Out Tonight” – Rent
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper
Or an original song entitled, “Come Correct”–hahah, as in, “You best come correct.”

Q: “Where would you most like to travel?” – Jaime H. (26, Rochester, MN)
A: Anywhere and everywhere! I have never been to Europe, and I have always wanted to! Luckily I’m going to get to see some of Europe this summer on tour with Glee Live! Also I’d love to spend some time in Narnia or FernGully.

Q: “What is the song that you can’t help but dance/sing to when it comes on the radio or shuffle?” – Rose B. (19, Cottonwood, AZ)
Oh, wow… Too many to list! “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix A Lot for sure or… “You’ve got the Right Stuff” by New Kids on the Block. I HAVE to do the choreography every time I hear that song. No lie.

Q: “What advice do you have for girls who are struggling with their self esteem?” – Dani H. (24)
A: Hold your head up, and smile. Everyone has insecurities. Everyone! That girl you stared at all through high school because you wanted to be and look just like her? She had problems with self esteem too! The key is not to let self doubt and insecurities stop you from going after what you want, and being yourself. Stereotypes are silly and are not as prevalent as they appear to be. No one is perfect even though most people would like to be! So screw it! Just find the strength to be yourself and rock it.

Q: “Alright, super important question. Would you rather be a ninja, a pirate or a cowboy?” – Sophia P. (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
A: Ninja. Straight up.

Ashley Fink, who plays New Directions’ newest addition, Lauren Zizes, will be answering your questions!

You probably remember the Q&A we recently did with Chris Colfer, and Ashley has agreed to do one as well! Once all the questions are submitted, I’ll be sending her the best ones, so please have your questions in by 11:59pm EST on Friday, April 22nd.

You can submit your questions here as a comment below, email them to me directly at Rob@GleeFan.com with the subject “Ashley Fink Fan Question(s)”, or even Tweet them to me @GleekRob. Remember to include your first name and optionally your last initial, as well as where you are from. If you would like, you can also include your age. For example, if I were to ask a question, at the end I would say, “Rob B. (18, Richmond, VA).” Also, please use your real email address if you are leaving a comment, because I will be sending out a reminder email to the people whose questions were selected.

We’ll probably be picking around 15 questions, but feel free to submit as many as you’d like. (Note: If you’re submitting them by email, try to put all your questions in the same email if possible.) Your question can be serious or silly, just don’t waste your questions by asking for any juicy spoilers. ;)

Good luck, and I can’t wait to read through all your questions!

From the thousands of question submissions, here’s our exclusive Q&A with Chris Colfer where he answers your questions on Glee, his upcoming project Struck By Lightning, his high school days, favorite music, life after Glee, being a gay actor, and so much more. Enjoy!
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Q: “What’s the typical production schedule for a given day?” – Murray C.
A: It just depends on what we’re filming. We usually work in nursing shifts if we’re lucky, like 6-6 or 9-9. Sometimes it can get really hectic and we’ll have sixteen to nineteen hour days. They’re usually filled with filming, pre-recording, and dance rehearsal but never in the same order.

Q: “Tell us more about Struck By Lightning! IMDb has it listed as 2012, has production started? As both writer and star, are you excited to see it become reality?” – Caitlin R. (19, Richmond, Virginia)
A: It’s the most exciting and the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done. It’s very strange to be so active behind the camera (taking meetings, making calls, etc.). I held a meeting in my trailer once during the Rocky Horror episode, so I was in complete Riff-Raff make-up. I don’t think anyone took me seriously. We have an amazing team working on the movie. David Permut is producing (Youth in Revolt, Charlie Bartlett) and Brian Dannelly is directing (Saved!). We’re casting my character’s parents right now (which feels like reverse adoption) and we start filming the day after my last stop on the Glee 2011 tour. I wrote it for the kids in high school who are overachieving in their own right and underappreciated for it, just like I was.

Q: “If diet Coke stopped production, what would be your next go-to drink?” – Beatrice C. (15, Singapore)
A: Why would you even propose such a horrible thing? I suppose I’d have to try water.

Q: “Ryan Murphy has spoken about how the original cast will eventually be replaced, what was your reaction to that news? And have you thought about what you would like to possibly move into, like Broadway, television, movies or release an album?” – Tiarni C. (23, NSW, Australia)
A: I thought graduating characters off would add a very real element to the show. I don’t think I’ll be leaving anytime soon since I’m supposed to be the youngest in the club and I’m the youngest in real life, but you never know! Maybe Kurt will take an internship at a fashion institute or fall down an elevator shaft. Anything is possible… As for the future I’m kind of all over the place right now but mostly headed into a film direction. I’ll definitely do something on Broadway eventually, if people aren’t sick of me by then.

Q: “OK. So let’s talk musicals – Broadway, Off-Broadway, International, any kind from anywhere. In which would you, Chris, most like to perform, and in which do you think Kurt would most like to perform?” – David F. (32, Cape Town, South Africa)
A: I would love to do Next to Normal and I think Kurt would campaign for an all male cast of Wicked… which I’m pretty sure I’d consider doing too, not gonna lie.

Q: “What do you think you would be doing now if you weren’t on Glee?” – Cassie (13, Connecticut)
A: Probably fighting against the restraints of my straitjacket and bouncing off the padded walls of my cell. Other than that I honestly have no idea. I was in college when I was cast in Glee, so maybe I would have transferred to UCLA or CAL State Fullerton by now…or maybe I’d still be terrorizing Clovis, CA with my big ideas and high voice. It’s fun to think about.

Q: “Do you plan to study in college after Glee is over, or do you feel that being on Glee given you enough skills for your future acting career that you don’t need a degree?” – Anastasia N. (20, St. Petersburg, Russia)
A: I’ve decided if I go back to school it won’t be for acting, it’ll be to become a Disney Imagineer. I’ve never had an acting lesson but I’ve learned so much just by watching other actors. There are certain movies that I’ll go see just to watch certain people in them. That’s the best education you can get in my opinion.

Q: “What was your first big purchase after the success of Glee?” – Jessica R. (25, Canada)
A: A tax attorney.

Read the rest of the Q&A… >>

In addition to getting to attend Idina Menzel’s Blogger Tweetup, we also got the chance to talk to her over the phone as she was busy promoting her new concert tour! We have been huge fans of Idina Menzel since long before Glee was on the air, so it was an amazing opportunity getting to speak with the Broadway legend. You definitely know her as Shelby Corcoran, Rachel Berry’s mother on Glee, but you may also know her from the Original Broadway Casts of Rent and Wicked. We chatted with her about being on Glee, her upcoming concert tour, being a mother and much more! If you’re a fan of Idina’s, you can go to IdinaMenzel.com/tours to see when she’ll be in your area. Enjoy the interview!

We at GleeFan.com have a few questions for you and also some that we’ve collected from Glee fans through Twitter and the like. To start if off, can you tell us about your upcoming concert tour? You’re about to be in DC with the National Symphony Orchestra, so what is that like?

I actually was there this past summer with Marvin Hamlisch at the Wolf Trap, so we hit it off, Marvin and I. He’s going to be conducting, and we also performed together at the White House for the president the same weekend. All these dates are myself with a symphony orchestra and it’s different for me then when I got out and promote my album with this my 5 or 6 piece rock band and I’m really enjoying be up there in front of these thrilling musicians and hearing the music taken onto a whole other level.

We understand that you’ll be singing two songs that you sang on Glee. Are you excited for that?

Yeah, I had a great time on Glee, and I just had a baby when I was filming those episodes and a couple months later, it was really fun for me to get back to work and be on such a groundbreaking hit show and to be singing and working with theater people. It was a really nice way of getting back into the swing of things after being pregnant and not doing much else professionally. So yeah, I’ve taken a couple of the songs and orchestrated them in this context, and they seem to go over really well and they sound beautiful.  I’m looking forward to doing it!

Could you tell us a little bit about how you got the role of Shelby Corcoran on Glee?

It was sort of a little bit of an enigma. My husband and I were huge fans and we’d Tivo it, so I told my manager that Id’ love to be on the show if it ever came up. My manager put it out there in the universe, and then I don’t know if it was the fans that made a connection between Lea and myself or Ryan Murphy, but it all worked out. That’s all I know.

Yeah, with the fans, we were all convinced that you would be the perfect person to bring on for the role of Rachel’s mom. There was a lot of early discussion just from the fans about how you should be on the show. Did you see any of this or think that it would actually happen?

I hate to sound like it wasn’t important to me, but ever since I’ve become a mother, things have changed. I’ve really been focused on diapers, late nights and my husband with the baby, and that’s kind of the beautiful thing about having children. It gives you a new perspective, and so I wasn’t hanging around waiting. It just came up and it was a terrific opportunity, and probably there are more wonderful things happening for me now since I had the baby because I’m not sitting around desperately waiting. I have a real purpose in my life, and that seems to open more doors. Does that make sense?

Yeah. One of the questions that we had was if being a mom had affected your career.

Well, I don’t know yet. I’ll have to look back in a couple of years to say. I know that it has affected me as a human being. I know that I feel more whole as a woman and what I can accomplish and who I am. I just feel like I have more purpose in this life than just being self-absorbed and worrying about the next audition or job. It just puts everything into perspective. Building a family with my husband and all that stuff has become really important, and what seems to be happening is that things are coming up when I’m not expecting them. The time in my life when I’d be so worried about what the next job was going to be or when the money would be coming in, those were the times when less opportunity came about. It’s the time when you’re most free and open that the best things seem to happen.

Do you think that being a mom in real life helped you play the character of Shelby or do you think that it made it harder for you since she had chosen to give up her kid?

That was a hard one for me to reconcile, Shelby’s actions, because for me, my daughter is my daughter. It doesn’t matter how old she is or what I’ve missed in her life. If you have the opportunity to reconcile with your daughter, I would do it. Whether or not I wanted a baby would have had nothing to do with it. It’s something that I as myself, Idina, never would have thought of doing, but as an actor you have to find a way of getting it to make sense to you, and hopefully we’ll find out more about that.

So do you think that you’ll be coming back later this season or possibly the next?

Yeah, I’m not sure. I hope so! We’ve talked about it, and we’ll see what happens, but I really hope so.

Other than Glee, do you have any upcoming projects? I understand that you’re working on another album…

I just started getting back in the studio because I’ve really been inspired by these concerts that I’ve been doing. I sort of revisiting some of the old standards and getting to arrange them with these symphonies, so I’m going to focus on that sound in the studio even with the more original material as well. I’m always developing something theatrically, which is very important to me – that I do something original, and those things take years to come to fruition, but they’re the most rewarding and they seem to work the best for me. I feel like I want to help nurture those composers and writers that are doing originals and be a part of that experience.

Now we have a few questions collected from the Glee fans, who are obviously your fans as well. One we got a few times was: what is your most memorable fan interaction – either touching or crazy.

Oh my gosh. I thought of touching first because just a couple weeks ago, I was in Cincinnati and I met a young girl after the show who was blind. She was with her grandfather and he said that when she was born, she had a tumor on her optic nerve. They didn’t give her much time to live, and here she is standing before my, 16 years old, inspired by the music. That was just too much for me to handle, just being in front of her, and we connected, so I’ve been in touch with her since. That was pretty powerful.

Wow, that’s amazing. Another question I got was if you’re going to have an international tour. Of course everyone’s asking, “Will you come to [whatever country they’re from]?”

Yeah, we’re waiting for some offers. We’re hoping to get to Europe and to Canada for sure. I’d love to go to Asia and I’ve noticed that there are a lot of people from Argentina and Brazil that want me to come. I’m not sure if that’s Wicked or what’s been down there that they know me from.

Yeah, we had a lot of people asking questions from South America. I think I remember a couple of them were from Venezuela as well.

[Laughs] Ok!

So, thinking back to when you were younger, did you always know that you wanted to be a professional singer or on Broadway?

Yeah, I always wanted to be a singer. As long as I can remember, that’s what I’ve wanted and what I’ve loved. My aspirations changed colors a little bit here and there as I got older, as to whether it was Broadway or a songwriter and rock star, but I always wanted to perform.

Here’s a fun one: have you ever Googled yourself or looked yourself up on YouTube?

Yes, I have, but it’s usually not a very fun experience for me.

Uh-oh.

Yeah, because no matter how many wonderful things you do, there’s always someone there to put you in your place. So I try not to do that anymore.

Yeah, as soon as you offer people anonymity, the claws come out.

Exactly. It can be a very evil place, the internet…

Last fan question, if you could sing a duet with anyone in the world, who would it be and what song would you sing?

Oh no, this will take me a sec… It would be Bono and the song would be… Oh, I know, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

Well, thank you so much for talking to us!

Thank you! I really appreciate the support!

We can’t wait to hear more from you and hopefully see you on Glee again soon!

We cannot thank Idina enough for taking the time to talk to us, and we hope you enjoyed the interview! If you get the chance, see Idina Menzel Live! in concert at a city near you!

We recently got the chance to talk with Glee‘s Harry Shum Jr. while he was busy promoting his new movie. You probably know him as Mike Chang in New Directions, but he is also reprising his role, Cable from Step Up 2: The Streets, in the latest installment of the Step Up series, Step Up 3D. We chatted over the phone with him about everything from Step Up 3D to The LXD and even asked him about working with the new Glee cast additions, Chord Overstreet and Charice. We had a ton of fun with the interview and hope that you enjoy it. Make sure to check out Step Up 3D in theaters everywhere on August 6th.

Ok, first question. Step Up 3D is a dance film shot entirely in 3D, so how was filming a 3D movie different from filming a normal 2D film or TV show?

You know, it’s a lot different as far as how they film it. They have to use 2 lens special cameras and they try and not change our movements too much. They want us to be as organic as possible, but at certain moments, if you spin too fast, the camera might not read it in a sense of the 3D technology, but definitely pulling us in and out through depth and making the audience feel like they’re there. What’s cool is after you get done filming a dance sequence, you can go around to the monitors and put on some glasses, and they have this big HD monitor where you can see the playback in 3D, so that was the coolest part of it.

Any ‘let’s reach right into the camera’ moves?

No, they try to stay away from that. I mean, there is one or two of those, just for the fun of paying homage to the Captian EO’s of the Michael Jackson old 3D ride, you know, but most of the time it just throws you into the action and makes you feel like you’re there. Like, they have a camera shot where they’re panning behind a guy’s head and it looks like you’re one of the audience members trying to look past the guy and see the action happen. So it’s really cool. It’s like people dancing on your lap.

What was it like getting to film in New York City?

Oh, it was so cool. I mean, at that moment, I was filming Glee at the same time and I literally was just going from the set of Glee all the way jumping onto the set of Step Up 3D as well as working on LXD at the same time. It was definitely a heavy multitasking, but there’s something about the energy of New York that gives you this energy to want to dance, especially because it has so much history. That’s where hip hop originated from, so I love it there, man. You know, I think it was the right idea to bring Step Up 3D to New York.

Yeah, another question I had was what was is like having to balance working on LXD, Step Up, and Glee all at the same time?

I got confused a couple of moments. When we’d start doing certain rehearsals, and ‘uh, where am I at right now? Oh yeah, I’m at LXD’ — a little bit of scheduling and just having the love of being a part of these projects. You know I just feel so lucky and blessed to be part of all these projects and especially Glee for what it represents and Step Up 3D for being so innovative, and LXD just being able to be in all aspects of the creative process. It’s really been a dream to be a part of all these projects at the same time, so I think that’s what keeps me going and to be able to want to make all across the board, everything I do for all the projects, giving it my all. So that’s the passion that definitely keeps me going.

Click here to read the rest of the interview…