Lea Michele Lands Harper’s Bazaar Cover

'Glee' star Lea Michele is the fashion forward cover girl for the September issue of Harper's Bazaar and the 25-year-old looks ravishing in a white frock that boasts a gold chain down the back as she peers over her shoulder, flashing a sweetly shy smile without even showing her teeth.

It's going to be a busy year for Michele, as she literally graduates from the FOX series, since her character Rachel Berry is in her final year of school and has to move on in some capacity, per co-creator Ryan Murphy's wishes. Despite the fact that her role will somehow change after this season, Michele plans to strike while the iron is hot and is wasting no time lamenting the fact that she has to endure a change on 'Glee' to fall in line with her character. She's got other things on her mind.

"People have to tell me to slow down," Michele said, clearly operating off a boundless reserve of energy. "I plan on playing every role on Broadway. I want to do Evita. I want to do 'Sweeney Todd' with ['Glee' costar] Chris Colfer. We want to do 'Wicked.' I’ll be Elphaba and he wants to play ‘Guy-linda.’ I want to do movies, make music. 'Glee' is only the beginning."

Michele's ascent in Hollywood happened by accident ... Literally. She actually nabbed the role on 'Glee' despite having been involved in a car accident on her way to the audition! She recalls, "I was literally pulling glass out of my hair in the bathroom before I went in."

She also spoke about her sometime 'Glee' co-star, Gwyneth Paltrow, calling herself "obsessed" with the Oscar winner. "I love talking with Gwyneth. She just gives good advice. She said, 'Don't ever read anything about you,'" Michele revealed.

Despite enjoying a role on TV's hottest and most beloved show, Michele, a vegetarian who says that she can "out-eat" anyone but remains thin due to her crazy shooting schedule, says she has a "small life" and that she spends time with her castmates as often as possible because "I just want to be around them all day." That certainly makes for a good work situation!

Michele's Harper's Bazaar spread is certainly grown up, as the actress models expensive couture by Gucci and Valentino, to name a few. We love that she is shot against floral backgrounds, lacing the shots with a lush, natural feel. We're also digging how she wears beautiful, floor-sweeping gowns and shorter-length dresses. Modeling elegant attire suits Michele well.

Watch Lea Michele at the 2010 Tony Awards