New Directions

Shelby Corcoran
General Information
Gender:	Female
Age:	Unknown
Hair Color:	Brown
Eye Color:	Hazel
Occupations:	Teacher, Vocal Adrenaline Director
Aliases:	Miss Corcoran
Family & Friends
Family:	Rachel Berry (daughter), Beth Corcoran (adopted daughter)
Other Information
Interests:	Glee Club, singing, dancing, acting
Talent:	Performing Arts
Series Information
First episode:	Hell-O
Last episode:	Journey (in Season 1)
Portrayer:	Idina Menzel

Shelby Corcoran is the former coach of Vocal Adrenaline. She is Rachel's biological mother and the adoptive mother of Quinn and Puck's daughter Beth. She is portrayed by Idina Menzel.

Biography

Season One

Shelby Corcoran is the coach of Vocal Adrenaline. In the fourteenth episode Hell-O, she is introduced watching Vocal Adrenaline perform Highway to Hell.

Will and Shelby making out.

When it's discovered that Shelby's leading performer Jesse St. James is taking a romantic interest in Rachel Berry, Will and the rest of the New Directions group become concerned. Believing that perhaps Jesse is acting in a spy capacity, Will confronts Shelby, who states that to untrue and that at times "the heart wants what the heart wants." This statement acts as a leading to Shelby and Will making out on Will's couch. However, Will stops her and says he can't, partially because of his new relationship with Emma Pillsbury and also partly because of his not-yet divorce from Terri. Surprised that he's not even divorced yet from his wife, and already starting a relationship with another woman, Shelby offers up some very thoughtful advice to Will about figuring himself out first before persuing another romance. Feeling he's not quite ready for even casual sex and make-out sessions, she leaves, but not before saying she knew who he was before they met and that he had a "cute dimple chin."

Shelby performing "Funny Girl".

When Rachel herself confronts Jesse about whether or not he's using her and to see if he truly loved her, he assures her that his feelings for her are genuine and proceeds to kiss her. As he does so however, Jesse looks up, to see Shelby standing behind Rachel, watching and gives him a little nod, implying that Shelby really is using Jesse to spy on Will and New Directions.

In Dream On, Rachel confides in Jesse of her lifelong dream to discover the identity of her biological mother. While they are searching through boxes of records from her basement, Jesse takes a tape from his jacket and pretends that it came from the box. The tape is labeled "From mother to daughter". Rachel refuses to listen to the tape, stating that she is not ready. Jesse later meets with Shelby in her car, where she reveals that she is Rachel's mother, but a contractual agreement prevents her from meeting with Rachel. She implores Jesse to convince Rachel to listen to the tape, stating that not being able to meet Rachel is her one regret. Shelby sings "I Dreamed a Dream" on the tape, leading to a duet with Rachel singing in a fantasy sequence.

Shelby holding Beth as she confirms her adoption papers.

In Theatricality, Rachel finds out Shelby is her mother when she recognizes her voice while Shelby is singing "Funny Girl". She fixes Rachel's terrible Lady Gaga outfit, when Rachel stops by and asks for help. She later admits to Will that she isn't ready for a teenage daughter, who encourages her to part ways with Rachel. She meets with Rachel and says they should "be grateful for one another from afar". Rachel asks Shelby to sing with her, and they sing "Poker Face" together, accompanied by Brad on the piano.

In Funk, Shelby is upset that Puck and Finn slashed the tires of Vocal Adrenaline's Range Rovers, but she decides not to press charges, and she persuades Figgins not to expel Puck and Finn. Instead, she insists that Puck and Finn pay for the damages. She recommends taking it out of the New Directions budget, but Will tells her that the club will go bankrupt. Finn then tells Shelby that he and Puck will get jobs and he promises Shelby that they will pay her within a month. Shelby is fine with that. Afterwards, Figgins tries to fall for Shelby by telling her that she is wise, magnanimous, and beautiful. Shelby then leaves Figgins' office because she was uncomfortable with what Figgins just said to her.

In Journey, Shelby decides to adopt Puck and Quinn's daughter, Beth, as Rachel doesn't need her as a mother anymore. She also retires from show choir after Vocal Adrenaline wins at Regionals.

Quotes

“	I want you to look so talented, it's hurting you, I want a look so optimistic it could cure cancer.	”
—Shelby Corcoran, Hell-O

“	Are you gay? Because most of the show choir directors I make out with are gay.	”
—Shelby Corcoran, Hell-O

“	I failed as an actress. My walls are lined with trophies instead of wedding pictures. But through all of that, I only have one regret. You get her to listen to that tape!	”
—Shelby Corcoran, Dream On

“	Hi baby. It's your mom. I think this pretty much says it all.	”
—Shelby Corcoran, Dream On

Hospital Employee: All the adoption papers seem to be in order, but theres no name on the birth certificate.

Shelby: It's Beth.

- Shelby in Journey