Lea Michele dedicates Teen Choice award to Cory Monteith

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- "Glee" star Lea Michele dedicated her Teen Choice award to her co-star and real-life boyfriend Cory Monteith.

Michele on Sunday won Choice TV Actress in a comedy for her role on "Glee" and tearfully addressed the audience.

"I just wanted to be here today to personally thank all of you and tell everyone out there how much all of your love and support has meant to me over these very difficult past few weeks," she said.

She dedicated the award to Monteith saying, "For all of you out there who loved and admired Cory as much as I did, I promise that with your love we're gonna get through this together. He was very special to me and also to the world."

She went on to say that "We were very lucky to witness his incredible talent, his handsome smile and his beautiful, beautiful heart so whether you know him personally or just as (his 'Glee' character) Finn Hudson, Cory reached out and he became a part of all of our hearts."

It was Michele's first public appearance following Monteith's death. He was found dead July 13 in Vancouver, British Columbia. She also wore a necklace that said "Cory."

Monteith and Michele played on-again, off-again couple Rachel Berry and Finn Hudson in the show and dated off-screen for about a year.

Monteith co-hosted the Teen Choice Awards in 2010. An autopsy revealed the 31-year-old actor died of an overdose of heroin and alcohol.

"Glee" also won Choice TV Comedy and cast member Amber Reilly said, "Although we lost someone that we really love and that you guys love too we are very fortunate to come back to a show where we feel the love of family and Cory was like a brother to us."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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