Rising Star: Heather Morris

“Glee’s” Rachel Berry might get the big show-stopping musical numbers and Sue Sylvester might unleash the best rants – but when it comes to stealing the show with a simple one-liner, AccessHollywood.com’s latest Rising Star, Heather Morris, is queen.

Lines like “Did you know that dolphins are just gay sharks?” and “I’m pretty sure my cat’s been reading my diary,” have elevated Heather’s role of Brittany from what could be just another background character into a breakout sensation.

With deadpan delivery and perfect timing, the words out of Heather’s mouth have become part of the public consciousness – well, at least for Gleeks!

“When I meet new people that’s the first thing they say to me now. They’ll be like, ‘Wait, I know I don’t really know you, but did you know that dolphins are just gay sharks?’ I’ll play along, like, ‘Oh, my God, are you serious? I’ve never heard that before.’” She recently told The Advocate, explaining that her dialogue has even ended up on clothes.

“They do have ‘I Bet the Duck’s in the Hat’ T-shirts — from the episode where Brittany thought a ballad was a male duck? My mom called me and was like, ‘I just bought some ‘I Bet the Duck’s in the Hat’ T-shirts and I’m wearing one right now!’ It was so cute.”

Though the show’s writers pen most of her great zingers, Heather has come up with some of them herself.

“In the Madonna episode, when Jesse St. James came to join our club, when I asked, ‘Mr. Schu, is that your son?’ I asked that in rehearsal as a joke, an improv moment, because they really look so much alike. [Show creator] Ryan [Murphy] started cracking up, and he was like, ‘That’s amazing. Keep that.’ So yeah, that was my idea,” she explained.

Although Brittany might not be making honor roll at McKinley High School, Heather recently told Access Hollywood that her character is not dumb – just a little nuts.

“As Ryan had mentioned before, ‘She literally goes insane,’” Heather told us last month at the “Glee” spring premiere soiree in LA. “Her lines get crazier and crazier. She’s not dumb… she’s just crazy!”

But before Heather was a Cheerio, the 23-year-old was Beyonce’s occasional right-hand lady, performing as her backup dancer on tour during the diva’s “Single Ladies” period – something that helped her get the “Glee” gig.

(See Heather & B in action at the 2009 American Music Awards, performing “Single Ladies,” HERE!)

Heather explained that a chance choreography session with series stars Chris Colfer and Jenna Ushkowitz, in which she taught them the “Single Ladies” dance — got her the role of Brittany.

“It was perfect timing,” she told Access of meeting Ryan Murphy. “I just finished dancing and I wanted to act.”

It appears that is exactly what Heather will be doing. According to Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello, Heather and Cheerio-in-crime, Naya Rivera – who plays BFF Santana – have been promoted to series regulars.

Heather also said she’s looking forward to “Glee’s” upcoming summer concert tour.

“I’ve toured before, but this time it was really cool to hear people scream for you instead of screaming for the artist,” she told the Advocate. “Not that I didn’t enjoy dancing for an artist, and I know people are screaming for other people on stage, but now people know my name and my character.”

As for Heather’s love life – the actress said she has more than a few men in her life – just not the type she hooks ups with.

“I don’t have time for a boyfriend. I wish. I’m sad and lonely,” she told the mag with a laugh. “That’s why I have gay friends to keep me company. Seriously, that’s where I get my love.”