Watch: Lea Michele’s teary tribute to Cory Monteith

Actress Lea Michele accepting the best Comedy award for 'Glee' during the Teen Choice Awards 2013 in Universal City, Calif., August 11, 2013 (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Actress Lea Michele accepting the best Comedy award for ‘Glee’ during the Teen Choice Awards 2013 in Universal City, Calif., August 11, 2013 (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Lea Michele took the stage at Sunday night’s Teen Choice Awards in her first televised appearance since boyfriend Cory Monteith’s death in July. The Jewish “Glee” actress used her time up there to dedicate her Choice TV Actress – Comedy award to Monteith.

“I want to dedicate this award to Cory,” she said, choked up. “He was very special to me, and also to the world, and we were very lucky to witness his incredible talent, his handsome smile, and his beautiful, beautiful heart. So whether you knew him personally or just as Finn Hudson, Cory reached out and he became a part of all of our hearts — and that’s where he’ll stay forever, so thank you guys so much.”

Here, her complete and very moving speech.

Jana Banin is the blogger for 6 Degrees No Bacon.