Kevin McHale slams ‘Glee curse’ claims after fans compare cast deaths

Kevin McHale has strongly criticised online comments that describe the deaths of former Glee cast members as part of a so-called “curse” or “sacrifice,” calling such claims insensitive and detached from reality.

The actor, who portrayed Artie Abrams in the hit musical series, shared a blunt message on X on July 29 without mentioning Glee or any of his late co-stars by name.

However, the post appeared to address the long-running online narrative surrounding the deaths of Cory Monteith, Naya Rivera and Mark Salling.

“Let me log off today because the way too many of you talk about real people who have passed as a ‘sacrifice’ or a ‘curse’ in regards to a TV show is f---ing diabolical and untethered from any sort of humanity or reality,” McHale wrote. “Get f---ed.”

His remarks quickly drew support from fans, with many agreeing that reducing real-life tragedies to conspiracy theories ignores the human loss experienced by the actors’ families, friends and colleagues.

Others questioned why the “curse” narrative continues to circulate years after the show's conclusion.

The cast has endured multiple heartbreaking losses over the years. Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died from a heroin overdose in July 2013 at age 31.

Salling, who portrayed Noah “Puck” Puckerman, died by suicide in January 2018 at age 35, weeks before he was due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography.

Rivera, beloved for her role as Santana Lopez, accidentally drowned in July 2020 during a boating trip with her son at California’s Lake Piru. She was 33.

McHale has previously spoken about how the cast has processed its grief.

During a 2023 episode of the And That’s What You Really Missed podcast, which he co-hosts with fellow Glee alum Jenna Ushkowitz, he said the cast often relies on dark humour to cope with their shared trauma.

“We make a lot of dark jokes about it because if you don’t, you’re just gonna cry,” McHale said at the time, adding that such humour is only understood by those who lived through the experience.

Ushkowitz also noted that the cast has worked through much of its grief in therapy.

Glee premiered on Fox in 2009 and ran for six seasons before ending in 2015, becoming one of television's most influential musical dramas.