Heather Morris

Heather Elizabeth Morris[1] is an American actress, dancer, and singer. She played the role of Brittany S. Pierce in the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee.

For the actress who portrayed Heather Mason in Silent Hill 3, see Heather Mason § Design and portrayal.

Heather Morris
Morris in 2010
Born
Heather Elizabeth Morris

Thousand Oaks, California, U.S
Occupations
  • Actress
  • dancer
  • singer
Years active2006–present
Spouse
Taylor Hubbell
​
(m. 2015)​
Children2

Early life

Morris was born in Thousand Oaks, California,[1] and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona.[2] She began dancing in early childhood.[3] Morris competed at a young age in a variety of styles including jazz, tap, and contemporary. Her father died of cancer when she was 14 years old.[4][5][6] After graduating from Desert Mountain High School, where she was homecoming queen,[7] Morris spent a year at Arizona State University before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a dance career.[3]

Career

Morris' first significant appearance was in 2006 on So You Think You Can Dance Season 2 where she made it through "Vegas Week" without being cut, but failed to make the final 20 by a vote of 3 to 2.[8]

Not discouraged, Morris actively pursued a career in dancing. Her big break came in 2007 via Beyoncé. Morris was one of Beyoncé's backup dancers on The Beyoncé Experience world tour and,[9] 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,[10] Saturday Night Live,[11] The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Today,[11] and MTV's Total Request Live finale. She also danced backup for Beyoncé and Tina Turner at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008.[12][13] 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, and the movie Bedtime Stories; eventually, Morris landed a role as Brittany on Glee.[14]

In December 2010, Morris was named the Celebrity Style Ambassador for FLIRT! Cosmetics, an Estee Lauder cosmetics line.[15] 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 her close friend 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, she stated that she had her breast implants removed. "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!"[16] 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.[17]

Glee

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.[11] Initially a background character who hardly ever spoke, the role grew as writers discovered Morris had a gift for delivering one-liners.[18] Jarrett Wieselman of the New York Post opined that Morris had "emerged as one of the funniest second bananas on TV right now"[19] and a LA Times writer mentioned having a "comedy crush on Morris, who plays the galactically dim Glee Club cheerleader Brittany".[20]

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".[21] 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."[21]

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.[22] 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. The arc and Rivera's and Morris' performances were met with critical acclaim. As on Glee, Morris was best friends in real life with co-star Rivera, until Rivera's death in 2020.[23]

Morris (right) and Naya Rivera at the 2011 PaleyFest event

In Season 3, her and Rivera's characters continue with the lesbian storyline. Morris had a large role in the episode "Prom-asaurus". During the season finale, she reveals that she has an 0.0 GPA and that she will not be graduating.

During the 2011 Glee Tour, Morris 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 the comedy website Funny or Die, "Nuthin' But A Glee Thang" a parody of "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg. Co-written with actresses Ashley Lendzion and Riki Lindhome, the video features appearances from Modern Family's Sofia Vergara and Morris' Glee castmates Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Harry Shum Jr., and Naya Rivera.[24]

On June 28, 2013, it was reported that Morris would not be returning as a regular on Glee's fifth season.[25] 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 five episodes in the show's sixth and final season, including the series finale.

Dancing with the Stars, The Masked Dancer

On March 1, 2017, Morris was revealed as one of the contestants who would compete on season 24 of Dancing with the Stars, causing massive criticism, with many citing her professional dancing experience as an unfair advantage.[26][27] The producers defended their decision to cast Morris by saying that she does not have ballroom or partnering experience.[28] She was paired with professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy,[29] though she danced with troupe member Alan Bersten starting on the second until the fifth week of the competition due to Maks suffering a calf muscle injury.[30] Maks reunited with her to dance in the sixth week of the competition on April 24, 2017, but they were eliminated despite receiving the first perfect score of the season and topping the results board, causing fans to boo loudly.[31][32]

On October 22, 2022, Morris was revealed to be the winner of the second season of The Masked Dancer. She participated in the show under the character of "Scissors".[33]

Personal life

Morris is married to Taylor Hubbell, whom she began dating when he was a college baseball player.[34] They attended the same high school in Arizona,[35] but did not know each other there.[36] They began dating after Morris moved to Los Angeles and Hubbell contacted her on Myspace.[37] 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."[34] After graduating from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, Hubbell began living with Morris in Los Angeles in early 2012.[38] Morris gave birth to their first child, a son,[39] on September 28, 2013, and he was named after Taylor Hubbell's older cousin.[35] On August 28, 2014, it was announced that she and Hubbell were engaged,[40] and they married on May 16, 2015.[41] In August 2015, she announced via social media that they were expecting their second child.[42] In an interview with E! News, she revealed that the second child would be a boy.[43] She gave birth to their second son on February 11, 2016.[44]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Beyoncé Experience Live Dancer Concert film

Supporting role

2008 Bedtime Stories Dancer supporting role
2009 Fired Up! Fiona supporting role
2011 A Sense of Humor Laura Short film

Lead role

2011 The Elevator Girl Short film; also writer, director and producer
2011 Andy Made a Friend Kate Short film lead role
2011 Post Lily
2011 Glee: The 3D Concert Movie Brittany S. Pierce Concert film

main role

2012 Courage to Create Bella Short film

Main role

2012 Ice Age: Continental Drift Katie Voice role
2013 Spring Breakers Bess Supporting role
2015 Horrible Parents Meg Short film

Lead role

2015 Most Likely to Die Gaby (Gabriella) Lead role
2016 Folk Hero & Funny Guy Nicole Main role
2016 The Cleansing Hour Heather Short film
2018 All Styles Elizabeth
2019 Dance with a Demon Mother Short film
2019 Santa Fake Emily
2022 Moon Manor Karen
2023 Cora Bora
TBA Back to 1 Lucy Moreau Post-production

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Saturday Night Live Beyonce's Dancer Episode: "Paul Rudd/Beyoncé"
2008 Swingtown Disco Dancer Uncredited, episode: "Get Down Tonight"
2008 Eli Stone Dancer Uncredited, 2 episodes
2009-15 Glee Brittany Pierce Main role (seasons 2-4); Recurring role (seasons 1, 5-6); 92 episodes
2010 How I Met Your Mother Suit Dancer Uncredited, episode: "Girls Versus Suits"
2012 Punk'd Herself Guest host
2015 Romantically Speaking Ariel Cookson Television film
2015 Whose Line Is It Anyway? Herself Episode: "Heather Morris"
2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! Eliza Hansenback Episode: "Weird Al Yankovic Wears A Different Hawaiian Shirt"
2016 Go-Go Boy Interrupted Katie 3 episodes
2016 LA LA Living Lizbet Main role
2017 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant on season 24
2017 GLOW Member of aerobics class Uncredited; episode: Pilot[45]
2017 Psycho Wedding Crasher Jenna Kravitz TV movie lead role
2017 Mondays Kia Episode: "That Time When I Got Life Coached"
2018 I.R.L. Lizbet Main role
2018 The Troupe Kennedy Dawson Main role
2018 Raven's Home Lady Cameo, episode "Raven's Home: Remix"
2018 Pretty Little Stalker Kelsey TV movie lead role
2022 Fatal Fandom Addison Bright Television film
2022 The Masked Dancer Scissors Winner

Music videos
Year Artist Song
2008 An-Ya "Nightlife"[46]
The White Tie Affair "Candle (Sick and Tired)"[47]
Hit the Lights "Drop the Girl"[48]
2011 Leo Moctezuma "2 Da Left"[49]
2021 Whitney Houston and Clean Bandit "How Will I Know"

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 Morris Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015.
  2. Ciletti, Nick (April 3, 2017). "Valley native Heather Morris continues to impress on Dancing With the Stars". Phoenix, Arizona: KNXV-TV. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2020. ...Scottsdale native Heather Morris...
  3. "The Road to 'Glee'". Dance Spirit. Macfadden Communications Group. June 1, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2020. Choreographer Brian Friedman remembers when Heather came to his school, The Dance Source, at the age of 7. ... 'I put her with the 9 to 11 year olds and she danced circles around every one of them.'
  4. livestarringyou (December 8, 2010). "Heather Morris on playing un-glee-ful moments". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
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  26. Bradley, Laura. "Why Let a Professional Dancer Compete on Dancing with the Stars?". HWD. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  27. Gallagher, Caitlin. "Videos Of Heather Morris Dancing With Beyonce Prove That She Could Win 'Dancing With The Stars'". Bustle. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  28. "'Dancing With the Stars' Producers Defend Heather Morris Casting, Reveal Dream Contestants". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  29. "'Dancing With the Stars' 2017: Season 24 celebrity cast and partners revealed on 'GMA'". ABC News. March 1, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
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  32. Yahr, Emily (December 3, 2021). "Heather Morris was voted off 'Dancing With the Stars,' but did she really belong on the show?". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  33. "The Masked Dancer winner is revealed". October 23, 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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  35. 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.
  36. "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!'
  37. 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.
  38. "Heather Morris Is Pregnant: Glee Actress Expecting First Child". Us Weekly. April 3, 2013. Archived from the original on May 27, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  39. "Taylor Hubbell on Twitter". Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  40. "Heather Morris is engaged to Taylor Hubbell". Celebrity-Gossip.net. August 28, 2014. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  41. Kimble, Lindsay (May 17, 2015). "Heather Morris' Wedding to Taylor Hubbell Turns into a Massive Glee Reunion". People. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  42. Rayne, Naja (August 20, 2015). "Heather Morris Expecting Second Child". People. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  43. Kimble, Lindsay (November 7, 2015). "It'll Be Another Boy for Glee's Heather Morris". People. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  44. "Heather Morris Welcomes Baby Boy No. 2". E! Online. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  45. "Here's Where to Find All of the L.A. Locations You Saw in GLOW - Los Angeles Magazine". Los Angeles Magazine. June 26, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
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  48. Hit the Lights "Drop the Girl" Archived September 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  49. "2 Da Left - Heather Morris Cameo For Leo Moctezuma". YouTube. August 11, 2011. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
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