Influences
One of the most significant influential figures in Michele’s life is Barbra Streisand whom she cites as her “role model”. Her mother Edith would play her films when she was a child. Michele dedicated a chapter in her book Brunette Ambition to Streisand, noting that it is important for people to have someone to look up to. Michele wrote, “I really love her, she’s always been such a role model to me. She’s someone who has built her career on focusing on what makes her unique and what makes her special.” An actress who influenced Michele was Natalie Wood. Michele said that she would watch West Side Story as a child and want to play the role of Maria.
Actress and singer Audra McDonald has also been an influence on Michele. She told The Fresno Bee, “Audra is probably the best singer in the world – up there with Barbra. I don’t think she has any idea what an influence she had on me. I would say 80% of my singing knowledge came from Audra… How to warm up. How to breathe. How to take care of my voice. All of my beliefs are because Audra instilled them in me.” Recording artist Alanis Morissette has been an inspiration throughout Michele’s career. Morissette’s album Jagged Little Pill was the first album Michele purchased, and in a 2014 interview has said she still owns. She said, “I love Alanis Morissette… All of her songs are lyrically so beautiful and vocally she’s so strong.” Celine Dion has also influenced her as a singer. In addition, Michele has praised music artist Lorde, stating, “She writes all her own songs and they’re like poetry.” Of songwriter Sia Furler with whom she co-wrote a song on Louder, she said, “Sia is an incredible singer but also a fierce songwriter. Her songs are so powerful, raw, and truthful.“
Voice
Michele has the vocal range of a soprano. As of 2013, her voice reportedly spans 2.7 octaves and one semitone. She has been repeatedly praised for her vocal ability, however, she has been critiqued by Christopher Weingarten of Rolling Stone, who stated that Michele’s voice is “a little too perfect” for the pop charts. The Boston Globe stated that her voice is a “mighty soprano” and that Michele’s vocals are most comfortable when she “straddles the line between Katy Perry and Celine Dion.” The Daily Mail called her live vocals during a performance of “Cannonball” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon a “powerhouse performance”. Hahn Nguyen wrote of Michele’s voice on the Glee Live! In Concert! tour, “One can truly hear the quality of the live vocals, which in the case of Lea Michele is the real deal. She sounds even better than on the show… Her “Don’t Rain On My Parade” live is an amazing and thrilling treat.“
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