Lea Michele Talks Barbra Streisand Love in PEOPLE

In this week's PEOPLE Magazine, February 7, 2011 issue, Lea Michele writes "Why I Love Barbra" and says that, "I grew up in this typical New Jersey town where everyone looked the same. If you didn't have a nose job, you were about to. Agents and casting directors told me to get one, but my mother said, ‘Barbra Streisand never did- and neither are you.'

When I met [GLEE creator] Ryan Murphy, he asked if I'd ever seen Funny Girl. I said no. When I did see it, I cried my eyes out. My life changed. Her character felt and looked so much like me! From then, I've been obsessed with Barbra. Her voice is perfect. She doesn't need any tricks. What makes her a rare talent is she can just stand there and sing.

On GLEE I've sung four of her songs. Every time I do ‘Funny Girl' I cry. Singing her music [at the MusiCares gala Feb. 11] isn't about getting to be in the same room as her or having her hear my voice. (Though I'm nervous-hopefully I won't vomit!) It's about me just saying thank you."

MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.

Barbra Streisand - actress/singer/director/writer/ composer/producer/designer/ author/activist and eight-time GRAMMY winner, GRAMMY Legend Award and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient - will be honored as the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year at its 21st annual benefit gala.

Proceeds from the dinner and concert honoring Streisand - to be held in Los Angeles during GRAMMY Week on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, two days prior to the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards - will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Artists scheduled to perform at the tribute include: Tony Bennett; singer/actress Kristin Chenoweth; members of the GRAMMY-nominated "Glee" cast Darren Criss, Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison; Herbie Hancock; Diana Krall; Barry Manilow; Donna Summer; Stevie Wonder; and artist Nikki Yanofsky. Streisand, a multi-GRAMMY-winning artist and current GRAMMY nominee, will close the evening with her own special performance. Additional performers will be announced soon.

For more information, visit online at www2.grammy.com/Musicares/