<P> Shelby Corcoran is a recurring fictional character from the Fox musical comedy - drama series Glee . Portrayed by actress Idina Menzel , Shelby was introduced in the fourteenth episode of the show as the coach of Vocal Adrenaline , a rival show choir to New Directions , the show 's primary musical group . Fans had lobbied for Menzel to be cast as Rachel Berry 's ( Lea Michele ) biological mother , due to the strong physical resemblance between Menzel and Michele . After it is revealed that Shelby is , in fact , Rachel 's biological mother , Shelby discloses that she had signed a contract that stated that she could not seek out her daughter until she was eighteen . She tells Rachel that instead of trying to act like mother and daughter , they should just be grateful that they have met , and maintain their distance . </P>
<P> Shelby Corcoran is a recurring fictional character from the Fox musical comedy - drama series Glee . Portrayed by actress Idina Menzel , Shelby was introduced in the fourteenth episode of the show as the coach of Vocal Adrenaline , a rival show choir to New Directions , the show 's primary musical group . Fans had lobbied for Menzel to be cast as Rachel Berry 's ( Lea Michele ) biological mother , due to the strong physical resemblance between Menzel and Michele . After it is revealed that Shelby is , in fact , Rachel 's biological mother , Shelby discloses that she had signed a contract that stated that she could not seek out her daughter until she was eighteen . She tells Rachel that instead of trying to act like mother and daughter , they should just be grateful that they have met , and maintain their distance . </P>
who plays rachel 's birth mom on glee
who plays rachel 's birth mom on glee
Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel