Heather Morris

Heather Morris

Morris on April 25, 2011
Born Heather Elizabeth Morris
February 1, 1987
Thousand Oaks, California, U.S.
Residence Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Dancer, actress, singer, model
Years active 2006–present
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Partner(s) Taylor Hubbell
(2008–present; engaged)
Children 1

Heather Elizabeth Morris (born February 1, 1987) is an American actress, dancer, singer and model, known for her role as the cheerleader Brittany S. Pierce in the musical comedy series Glee.

Early life

Morris was born in Thousand Oaks, California,[1] and was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. She began dancing when she was 9.[2] Morris competed at a young age in a variety of styles including jazz, tap, and contemporary. Morris's father died of cancer when she was 14 years old. "It's something that is hard for me, because I'm sad about it, but I don't dwell on it," she said during an interview workshop with students in December 2009. "I know he's in a better place, instead of suffering."[3][4][5] After graduating from Desert Mountain High School, Morris decided to enroll in a local university but realized she was in the wrong place and moved to Los Angeles instead at age 19.[6]

Career

Morris' first significant appearance was in 2006 on So You Think You Can Dance Season 2 where she made the "green mile" or "Vegas Week" but failed to make the final 20 by a vote of 3-2.[7]

Not discouraged, Morris actively pursued a career in dancing and was trained in jazz dance. Her big break came in 2007 via Beyoncé. Morris was one of Beyoncé's backup dancers on The Beyoncé Experience world tour and,[8] following that, worked again with Beyoncé on a mini "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" promotional tour that included 2008 performances on the American Music Awards,[9] Saturday Night Live,[10] The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Today,[10] and MTV's Total Request Live finale. She also danced backup for Beyoncé and Tina Turner at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008.[11][12] She later appeared in a small role in the movie Fired Up, where she met choreographer Zach Woodlee. Following that film, Woodlee brought Morris in to dance on other shows he was choreographing, including episodes of Eli Stone and Swingtown, the movie Bedtime Stories, and eventually Glee.[13]

In December 2010, Morris was named the Celebrity Style Ambassador for FLIRT! Cosmetics, an Estee Lauder cosmetics line.[14] In 2010, Morris made the Maxim Hot 100 list, coming in at number 85. On the AfterEllen hot 100 list, she was ranked #2 behind Naya Rivera.

In 2011, Morris starred in a back-to-school commercial for Staples Canada that featured her dancing. In the October 2011 issue of Fitness magazine, Heather Morris stated that she has had her breast implants removed. She was quoted saying "Implants were something I thought I wanted when I was younger, and now I don't. It was hard being active with them, because my chest was always sore. It hurt a lot, and I didn't like always being in pain, so they had to go!"[15] Her breast implant surgery was done sometime between her time on So You Think You Can Dance at age 18 and age 21 when she was a backup dancer for Beyoncé.[16]

Glee

Morris at the San Diego Comic-Con International, July 2010

Morris was taking acting classes and actively pursuing an acting career when she was asked by Woodlee to teach the choreography for Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" dance to the Glee actors. At the same time, the show was looking for a third cheerleader, and Morris ended up landing the role of Brittany.[10] Initially a background character who hardly ever spoke, the role grew as writers discovered Morris had a gift for delivering one-liners.[17] Jarrett Wieselman of the New York Post opined that Morris has "emerged as one of the funniest second bananas on TV right now"[18] and the LA Times wrote of having a "comedy crush on Morris, who plays the galactically dim Glee Club cheerleader Brittany".[19]

When a promotional clip for the episode "Sectionals" indicated that Brittany Pierce and Santana Lopez had slept together, Dorothy Snarker, writing for lesbian entertainment website After Ellen, praised the pairing, referring to them by the portmanteau "Brittana".[20] Snarker called the two her "new favorite Glee pairing", commenting that: "While Heather Morris (Brittany) and Naya Rivera (Santana) have had minimal screen time, they've made it count. Heather in particular has brought the laughs as the Cheerio least likely to get a Mensa invitation. Never mind Finn and Rachel — I'm on Team Brittana now."[20]

Morris' role became more prominent during the final nine episodes of season one and, due to the overwhelmingly positive response to her character, was promoted to official series regular status during season two.[21] She was at the center of the second episode, "Britney/Brittany", (a tribute to Britney Spears) where she made her singing debut covering Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U" solo and dueting with Naya Rivera on "Me Against the Music". She later got many other singing and dancing solos. The second half of season two saw Morris' character engage in a lesbian storyline with Rivera's character. Both the arc along with Rivera's and Morris' performances were met with critical acclaim. As on Glee, Morris is best friends in real life with co-star Rivera.[22]

In Season 3, she and Rivera's character continue with the lesbian storyline, and others. For example, she had a large role in the episode "Prom-asaurus". During the season finale, she reveals that she had an 0.0 GPA and that she would not be graduating.

During the 2011 Glee Tour, Heather performed Britney Spears' song "I'm a Slave 4 U". She also had a dance spotlight with castmate Harry Shum Jr. during Naya Rivera's performance of "Valerie," and was one of the dancers in the Single Ladies and Safety Dance numbers.

Morris co-wrote and appeared in a January 2011 video for Funny or Die, "Nuthin' But A Glee Thang," a take-off of the Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg collaboration "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang". Co-written with actresses Ashley Lendzion and Riki Lindhome, the video features appearances from Modern Family's Sofia Vergara and Morris's Glee castmates Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Harry Shum, Jr., and Naya Rivera.[23]

On June 28, 2013, it was reported that Morris would not be returning as regular on Glee‍‍ '​‍s fifth season.[24] However, Morris reprised her role for the show's hundredth episode and the final episode of the show's fifth season. Morris also appeared in 5 episodes in the show's sixth and final season, including the final episode.

Personal life

Morris is in a relationship with Taylor Hubbell, starting when he was a college baseball player.[25] They attended the same high school in Arizona,[26] but did not know each other there.[27] They began dating after Morris moved to Los Angeles and Hubbell contacted her on Myspace.[28] In a 2011 interview with Fitness, Morris said of Hubbell, "I want to marry him so bad. That's what I really care about. I want to marry Taylor and have kids with him. I love acting, but if it affects my relationship, then I won't continue doing it."[25] After graduating from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, Hubbell began living with Morris in Los Angeles in early 2012.[29] Morris gave birth to their first child, son Elijah, on September 28, 2013.[26] On August 28, 2014, it was announced that she and Hubbell were engaged.[30]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Beyoncé Experience Dancer DVD: The Beyoncé Experience Live
2008 Bedtime Stories Dancer Uncredited
2009 Fired Up! Fiona
2011 A Sense of Humor Laura Short film
The Elevator Girl Short film; also writer, director and producer
Andy Made a Friend Kate Short film
Post Lily
Glee: The 3D Concert Movie Brittany Pierce Concert movie
2012 Courage to Create Bella Short film
Ice Age: Continental Drift Katie Voice
2013 Spring Breakers Bess
2015 Horrible Parents Meg Short film; completed
Most Likely To Die Gaby Post-production
2016 FolkHero & FunnyGuy Nicole Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Saturday Night Live Beyonce's Dancer Episode: Paul Rudd/Beyoncé
Swingtown Elizabeth Uncredited, episode: "Get Down Tonight"
Eli Stone Lizzie/Dancer Uncredited, episodes: "The Path" and "The Humanitarian"
2009–2015 Glee Brittany Pierce Recurring role (Seasons 1, 5–6)
Main role (Seasons 2–4)
2010 How I Met Your Mother Beth/Suit Dancer Uncredited, episode: "Girls Versus Suits"
2012 Punk'd Herself Guest host
2015 Romantically Speaking Ariel Cookson TV movie; completed

Music videos

Year Artist Song
2008 An-Ya "Nightlife"[31]
The White Tie Affair "Allow Me To Introduce Myself... Mr. Right/Candle (Sick and Tired)"[32]
Hit the Lights "Drop the Girl"[33]
2011 Leo Moctezuma "2 Da Left"[34]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Glee Won
TV Land Awards Future Classics (with: Glee Cast) Won
Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Group (with: Glee Cast) Nominated
Lesbian/Bi People's Choice Awards Favorite Music Duo or Group (with: Glee Cast) Nominated
Gay People's Choice Awards Favorite Music Duo or Group (with: Glee Cast) Won
2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Grammy Awards Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media Nominated
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals "Don't Stop Believin' (Regionals Version)" Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Group (with: Glee Cast) Glee Nominated
2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Grammy Awards Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (with: Glee Cast) Nominated
2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Scene Stealer Female Nominated

Discography

Further information: Glee discography

References

  1. ↑ Heather Elizabeth Morris, Born 02/01/1987 in California | CaliforniaBirthIndex.org Archived November 13, 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ "Star from Hit TV Show Visits Good Morning WNY". WKBW. December 31, 2009. Archived from the original on December 11, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  3. ↑ livestarringyou (December 8, 2010). "Heather Morris on playing un-glee-ful moments". YouTube. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Stars Stand Up: Teen Choice Awards". YouTube. August 11, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.americancheerleader.com/celebs-who-cheered/ Archived May 26, 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Erin Balse and Suzanne Gardner. "Don't Stop Believin': The Unofficial Guide to Glee." ECW Press. 2010
  7. ↑ "So You Think You Can Dance 2, June 8: Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas". Reality News Online. September 6, 2006. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2010. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  8. ↑ "Glee : La vie des acteurs avant la série" (in French). News de stars. May 30, 2011. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Beyonce "Single Ladies" American Music Awards". Youtube.com. January 10, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Young Entertainers Get a Taste of Hollywood". My Buffalo. December 31, 2009. Archived from the original on December 11, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Beyonce - Tina Turner - Introduction Performance (Grammy 2008)". Dailymotion.com. August 31, 2011. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Tina Turner & Beyonce - Proud Mary (Grammy 2008)". Dailymotion.com. March 22, 2008. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  13. ↑ Archived October 26, 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ "'Glee's' Heather Morris will FLIRT! with cosmetics line". Blog.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Oops! Heather Morris Suffers an Emmy Nip Slip - Glee". Wetpaint.com. September 19, 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  16. ↑ Brooks, Hanna. "Heather Morris: My Breast Implants "Had To Go"". Blisstree. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  17. ↑ "TV: Heather Morris has become a reliable comic voice on 'Glee'". ScrippsNews. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  18. ↑ Wieselman, Jarrett (November 19, 2009). "'Glee's' secret weapon". New York Post. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Underrated / Overrated". The Los Angeles Times. April 25, 2010.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Snarker, Dorothy (December 7, 2009). ""Glee" spoils us with an unexpected coupling". After Ellen. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2009.
  21. ↑ Hibberd, James (April 27, 2010). "'Glee' exclusive: Brittany and Santana poised for major promotions | Inside TV | EW.com". Ausiellofiles.ew.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Glee's Summer Fun". OK! US edition (Northern & Shell North America). July 19, 2010. pp. 50–51. issue #29.
  23. ↑ "Nuthin' But A Glee Thang with Heather Morris, Matthew Morrison & Sofia Vergara from Heather Morris, Sofia Vergara, Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Naya Rivera, Harry Shum Jr, Riki Lindhome, Ashley Lendzion, David Bernad, Isaac Hagy, BoTown Sound, Shauna O'Toole, Funny Or Die, Keith Schofield, Brian Mulchy, and Christin Trogan". Funnyordie.com. March 22, 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  24. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (June 28, 2013). "UPDATED Glee Exclusive: 4 Original Cast Members are Returning as Series Regulars for Season 5; Plus — Who's Getting Promoted?". TV Line. Mail.com Media. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Adams Martinez, Patty (October 1, 2011). "All the Right Moves: How Glee's Heather Morris Stays Fit". Fitness. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Takeda, Allison (September 28, 2013). "Heather Morris Gives Birth to Baby Boy Elijah". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Up Close and Personal With Heather Morris!". Seventeen. November 6, 2011. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2013. My boyfriend and I knew of each other in high school, but we didn’t know each other. He was a year younger than I was, so after I moved, he messaged me on MySpace, asking ‘When you come back, do you want to hang out?’ and I was like, 'You’re so cute, I’d love to!’
  28. ↑ Adams Martinez, Patty (October 1, 2011). "All the Right Moves: How Glee's Heather Morris Stays Fit". Interview. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Heather Morris Is Pregnant: Glee Actress Expecting First Child". Us Weekly. April 3, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Heather Morris is engaged to Taylor Hubbell". Celebrity-Gossip.net. August 28, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  31. ↑ "An-Ya "Nightlife"". YouTube. April 23, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  32. ↑ "Allow Me To Introduce Myself...Mr. Right/Candle (Sick And Tired)". YouTube. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  33. ↑ Hit the Lights "Drop the Girl"
  34. ↑ "2 Da Left - Heather Morris Cameo For Leo Moctezuma". YouTube. August 11, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heather Morris.