Lea Michele’s tribute to Cory…

Coping with the death of a loved one is horrendous enough, but Lea Michele has also had to deal with the focus of the world’s media and fans since the death of her co-star and boyfriend, Cory Monteith, on July 7.Monteith, 31, died from a toxic mixture of heroin and alcohol in a Vancouver hotel room. His girlfriend had supported him through a stint in rehab earlier this year and has struggled to pick up the pieces after his death. Friends described a devastated girl lying low and dealing with the loss of a boyfriend who was still fighting his demons.

On Aug. 11 she must have called on some of her character Rachel Berry’s determination when she made her first public appearance at the Teen Choice awards.

Accepting an award for her performance on Glee, she managed to get through a tribute to her late boyfriend, her voice catching.  “I promise that with your love, we’re going to get through this together,” she said. “He was very special to me and also to the world, and we were very lucky to witness his incredible talent, his handsome smile and his beautiful, beautiful heart.”

“So whether you knew him personally or just as [his character] Finn Hudson, Cory reached out, and he became a part of all of our hearts and that’s where he’ll stay forever.”

You can watch her tribute here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoTzoUVUWdU