Lea Michele became an instant star on the television show Glee, but the actress and singer says that while she appreciates her fans, being famous just doesn’t really appeal to her.

She recently talked about the down side of fame and said that it can be a bit overwhelming at times.

Michele grew up with a big Italian family and said that she still leans on her family during stressful times.

“A good dinner with my mom and dad and my big Italian family,” she said when asked how she copes with fame. “No matter what is going on in my life or in this business, that is my home and that is my heart.”

Love my new pic for @LOrealParisUSA Love that big smile! #ProudLorealGirl #BecauseYoureWorthIt pic.twitter.com/oCcYsX4cJd

— Lea Michele (@msleamichele) August 15, 2014

Michele grew up in New York but moved to Los Angeles to work on Glee. The young actress said that she worked hard to get where she is today, but is still shocked at how fast it all happened.

“I never thought I would be on such an amazing show and living in LA, so this has so far exceeded anything I could have dreamt of,” she said. “I think it teaches you not to set limits for yourself and to go 100 percent into whatever you believe in.”

Michelle said that she was inspired by Barbra Streisand when she was younger and that she hopes she can inspire others the way Streisand inspired her.

“I really love her. She’s always been a role model. She built her career by focusing on what makes her unique. It’s how she became so successful,” she said.

“I want to introduce that idea to this generation – that you take what makes you unique, what makes you you, and you will achieve all your dreams. It really is what has got me to where I am today.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons