Lea Michelle in a red backless gown
Lea Michelle in a red backless gown Reuters

"Glee" stars Lea Michele and Cory Monteith are no longer hiding their melodious romance. The adorable couple were all smiles and affection at Sunday evening's Do Something Awards in Santa Monica, Calif.

Michele, 25, who has been criticized by several media outlets for taking risqué fashion risks in the past, did not relent in her choices. She looked luminous in an ultra low-cut stone-colored dress with a plunging back and dangerously high middle slit - with several of her tattoos peeking through.

Monteith opted for a more casual route. The sweet-voiced crooner sported a pair of unassuming jeans, a button-down grey shirt, vest and dual-striped tie.

Michele, who took home the award for the TV Star: Female category at the event, thanked PETA's Michelle Cho and reminded the audience to boycott horse-drawn carriages in New York -- a cause she is quite passionate about.

"Horses in the carriage industry are deprived of everything that makes their lives worth living," Michele said in a PSA. "Don't get taken for a ride."

Michele takes her sartorial inspiration from her hometown, New York City. "I think growing up in New York, and seeing the effortless style and the street style has modeled my style," she told People magazine.

Although we've seen the starlet in the most cutting-edge styles on the red carpet, she admits to being quite frugal. "I'm not a big spender," she said."I still always look for the half-price sales."

Still, she does splurge every once in a while. "Every six months or so, I will do the one nice bag, or the one nice pair of shoes, or the one nice piece of jewelry."