Jenna Ushkowitz on: Artina, Asian Fusion, and Season 2 spoilers
Love is always in the air on "Glee" and last week it got the best of Tina as an adorable rendition of "My Funny Valentine" took quite an uncomfortable turn when her feelings for Mike resulted in a mid-performance tsunami of tears.
Although they are New Directions' most stable duo, it hasn't been all sunshine and roses for Tina and Mike as they've fought about his overbearing mother, her potentially recurring feelings for Artie and females on the football field. The culmination of these conflicts might even be a break-up according to actress Jenna Ushkowitz, who admits to being rather surprised they've stayed together this long.
In addition to placing her bets on Mike & Tina's future, Jenna reveals what life is like for New Directions without Kurt, what life is like for the actors without Chris Colfer and what lies in store for everyone at Regionals.
PopWrap: Tina had a pretty intense emotional breakdown in last week's Valentine's Day episode -- is she ok?
Jenna Ushkowitz: [laughs] You know, it’s funny ... I was trying to figure out why she would just burst out into tears like that but Tina's an emotional teenager. It showed a different side of her. It was kind of sad yet sweet and also pretty funny. It was a hard scene to perform though.
PW: Because you had to find the line between actual emotion and comedy all while singing?
Jenna: Live! I performed that song live and had to make it as organic as possible. I just let the comedy flow since the scene itself is rather funny. It was totally one of those let it go, let it flow moments.
PW: Tina & Mike have had an interesting season -- what do you make of their relationship?
Jenna: At first I thought it would be a fleeting thing and there would be more with Artie, but it’s a really sweet couple. They’re really into each other - like an old married couple, bickering about his mother [laughs]. But I really like them together. They just work for some reason. And Harry [Shum Jr.] is so amazing - we have a lot in common so they can make them the comedy couple.
PW: So do you think the Artie/Brittany/Tina/Mike love quadrangle is over?
Jenna: Oh no, I definitely don’t. I don’t think any couple on our show will ever really be together for very long. I’m actually kind of shocked Artie & Brittany and Mike & Tina have stayed together this long. But I don’t think it’s going to stay that way. I think Tina and Artie are headed for a big blow-up - their relationship is kind of unresolved, so I have a feeling that’ll definitely come back around.
PW: Tonight's episode is called "Comeback," which a lot of people have been calling the Justin Bieber episode.
Jenna: It's not. A lot of people were up in arms about us doing a full Bieber episode, but this is nothing like that. When you see it, you’ll understand - there’s a lot about him, but it’s not centered around his music. We only do two [of his] songs.
PW: What can you tell us about the episode then?
Jenna: Everyone is trying to make a comeback of some sort, they’re trying to revive themselves and Sue's attempt is by joining glee club. It’s fun because I do a number with Jane [Lynch], she’s amazing.
PW: And then next week you tackle Ke$ha with the ladies.
Jenna: Oh yea, we all are. In “Comeback” the boys are trying to come back in their relationships and then the next week, the girls all kind of get in trouble.
PW: That episode is called "Blame it on the Alcohol" -- do you all actually get drunk?
Jenna: Um … maybe [laughs].
PW: On that tip, Kurt memorably got wasted in season one -- what's it been like with Kurt in The Warblers and therefore Chris Colfer not on set with you guys?
Jenna: We miss him - a lot. It’s hard. He’s one of us there’s a totally different vibe on set. We all hang out outside of work and I’m so happy because The Warblers is a great storyline, but we want him back. [laughs] We tell Ryan Murphy all the time.
PW: He's gotta return eventually, right?
Jenna: Eventually he’ll have to come back - he has to. I can’t imagine him being in The Warblers forever - that would be devastating.
PW: At least you'll all be reunited on the tour, right?
Jenna: Yes, I’m so excited to get Chris. We also get Darren [Criss], Chord [Overstreet] and I'm sure we'll have some Warblers songs in there too. It’ll be a totally new show. I hope I can sing “Dog Days” - that’s so much fun to perform.
PW: New Directions will be facing off with The Warblers again with Regionals coming up -- think you guys can triumph this time?
Jenna: It could go either way. But the only way we could go is up after losing last year. We’ve come together as a team and been through so many hardships. I think the audience would like to see us succeed in some way. We’ll see - I’m very, very interested to see what happens, but I hope we win!
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