Amber Riley, best known for her role as Mercedes Jones on Glee, fondly reminisced about her time on the hit series during an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at the Billboard Women in Music Awards in Inglewood, California.
Riley, now 38, attributed her ability to function on limited sleep to her time on Glee, jokingly referring to it as “Glee sleep training.”
“The good ol’ Glee sleep training, you better know how to function on four hours,” she quipped, highlighting the demanding schedule of filming nearly 100 episodes over the show’s six seasons.
Describing her experience on Glee as “theater bootcamp,” Riley emphasized the rigorous training the cast underwent, which involved singing, dancing, and acting.
“It literally was like bootcamp. It was theater bootcamp — it was just on television,” Riley remarked.
Despite Glee being in the past, Riley revealed that she continues to apply the professionalism and focus she learned from the show to her current endeavors.
“You had to be professional, you had to be on time, you had to hit your mark, you had to know your lines,” she explained. “Everyone has to be a team player.”
While Glee may be a distant memory in her career, Riley expressed gratitude for the opportunity it provided, acknowledging its role in catapulting her career and introducing her talent to a wider audience.
“It was the thing that catapulted my career,” Riley acknowledged. “Nobody would know who Amber Riley was if it was not for Glee.”
Looking ahead, Riley is gearing up for her role as Julie in the Atlanta-based Preacher’s Wife musical, where she continues to showcase her incredible talent and dedication to her craft.
As she embarks on new projects, Riley remains thankful for her Glee experience, cherishing it as a fond memory that will always hold a special place in her heart.
