Watch 'Glee' Lea Michele's tribute to Cory Monteith at Teen Choice Awards 2013 (Video)

Aug 12, 2013 01:10 AM EDT

Glee star Lea Michele fights back the tears as she dedicates her Teen Choice Awards honor to late boyfriend and co-star Cory Monteith.

Michele made her first public appearance since the tragic death of Cory, she won Best Actress in a comedy for Glee and wore a necklace that said "Cory."


Lea Michele speaks on stage at the Teen Choice Awards at the Gibson Amphitheater on Sunday.

"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 past difficult few weeks,” an emotional Michele told the audience.

"I wanted to dedicate this award to Cory, 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. And we were very lucky to witness his incredible talent, handsome smile and his beautiful, beautiful heart.

“So whether you knew him personally or just as Finn Hudson, Cory reached out and became a part of all of our hearts - and that's where he'll stay forever." Michele said.

Moments before Michele took the stage, her “Glee” castmates accepted the Choice Comedy Show award.

"Although that we lost someone that we really love, and that all of you guys loved too,” co-star Amber Riley said, “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.”

Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson in the Fox hit "Glee," was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room on July 13, 2013. He was 31.

The Teen Choice Awards honor teen favorites in TV, music, film, sports, fashion, comedy and online. This year's winners were announced from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.