Glee cast lead tributes to Naya Rivera following her death

14 July 2020, 11:31

Amber Riley shares heartbreaking video of Naya Rivera singing with son Josey

By Katie Louise Smith

Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Harry Shum Jr. and more have paid tribute to their friend and co-star Naya.

The Glee cast are sharing tributes to their former co-star Naya Rivera, after it was confirmed that she had died at the age of 33.

After days of searching, it was confirmed yesterday (July 13) that a body found in Lake Piru, where she went missing last week (July 8), was that of Naya. Naya was declared missing after her four-year-old son, Josey, was found alone and asleep on a boat. In a conference at Lake Piru yesterday (July 13), Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said that Naya’s son told investigators that his mother had helped him get into the boat after going swimming.

With the sad confirmation of her death, Naya’s co-stars, friends and fans are all sharing their condolences and memories of the talented star on social media.

Naya Rivera's Glee co-stars lead tributes following news of her death. Picture: David Livingston/Getty Images, @chriscolfer via Instagram

Naya's Glee cast mates including Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Harry Shum Jr., Darren Criss, Jane Lynch, Lauren Potter, Lea Michele, Melissa Benoist, Alex Newell, Kristin Chenoweth, Becca Tobin and many more have all shared tributes and condolences on social media.

In a tweet shared by the official Glee Twitter account, the show pays tribute to Naya in a statement made by FOX: "Naya was a fierce talent with so much more to do and this is such a terrible tragedy. We are forever grateful for the indelible contribution she made to GLEE, from the first episode to the last. Our hearts are broken and our thoughts go out to her family, friends and young son."

Naya was a fierce talent with so much more to do and this is such a terrible tragedy. We are forever grateful for the indelible contribution she made to GLEE, from the first episode to the last. Our hearts are broken and our thoughts go out to her family, friends and young son. pic.twitter.com/fV6BvQFZzJ
— GLEE (@OfficialGLEEtv) July 14, 2020

Read the cast's tributes to Naya below:

My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world without you. pic.twitter.com/qX9t1Uhx01
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) July 14, 2020

I'm not religious by any means, but you'd be hard-pressed to convince me that Cory didn't help find our girl today. These 2, in many ways, were the male and female versions of one another. So nice, cared deeply, were stupidly talented, the most fun, and really really good people. https://t.co/qsvThOJxL7
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) July 14, 2020

View this post on Instagram

How can you convey all your love and respect for someone in one post? How can you summarize a decade of friendship and laughter with words alone? If you were friends with Naya Rivera, you simply can’t. Her brilliance and humor were unmatched. Her beauty and talent were otherworldly. She spoke truth to power with poise and fearlessness. She could turn a bad day into a great day with a single remark. She inspired and uplifted people without even trying. Being close to her was both a badge of honor and a suit of armor. Naya was truly one of a kind, and she always will be. 💔 Sending all my love to her wonderful family and her beautiful son.

A post shared by Chris Colfer (@chriscolfer) on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:33pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

My favorite duet partner. I love you. I miss you. I don’t have words right now, just lots of feelings. Rest In Peace Angel, and know that your family will never have to worry about anything.

A post shared by Amber Riley (@msamberpriley) on Jul 13, 2020 at 9:02pm PDT

She was bold. She was outrageous. She was a LOT of fun.

Naya made me laugh like no one else on that set. I always said it while we were working together and I’ve maintained it ever since. Her playful, wicked sense of humor never ceased to bring a smile to my face.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020

View this post on Instagram

There are no words and yet so many things I want to say, I don't believe I'll ever be able to articulate exactly what I feel but... Naya, you were a ⚡️ force and everyone who got to be around you knew it and felt the light and joy you exuded when you walked into a room. You shined on stage and screen and radiated with love behind closed doors. I was lucky enough to share so many laughs, martinis and secrets with you. I can not believe I took for granted that you'd always be here. Our friendship went in waves as life happens and we grow, so I will not look back and regret but know I love you and promise to help the legacy of your talent, humor, light and loyalty live on. You are so loved. You deserved the world and we will make sure Josey and your family feel that everyday. I miss you already.

A post shared by Jenna Ushkowitz (@jennaushkowitz) on Jul 13, 2020 at 3:40pm PDT

pic.twitter.com/7Z0XdhHvzu
— Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) July 14, 2020

Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) July 13, 2020

View this post on Instagram

She has not left my mind this last week. It’s difficult to find words. There was an undeniable beauty that she radiated inside and out, and I consider myself incredibly lucky that I got to witness that up close even for the short period of time that I did. I was so intimidated by her, yet she had a way of disarming that just made you want to be around her, hear what she had to say (because it would undoubtedly be the sharpest and most real thing you would hear all day). She was kind and open to me when she didn’t have to be, when I was a naive, clueless and insecure newcomer. Bravely authentic, genuinely kind, incredibly talented and deeply loved by so many. Thinking of her family and loved ones. Rest In Peace, Naya.

A post shared by Melissa Benoist (@melissabenoist) on Jul 13, 2020 at 8:04pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Naya was insanely talented, breathtakingly gorgeous, and one of the wittiest people I’ve ever met, but the legacy she left behind for me is her kindness. I joined the cast of Glee in the third season and as the newcomer, I was intimidated and terrified. The cast was already such a tight-knit group who had been working incredibly hard together for over three years to make it a hit show and I never expected any of them to have time for me. To my surprise, Naya, one of the most beloved by the rest of the cast (and the entire world), showed me instant warmth and kindness. She invited me to parties and gatherings and was always there to give advice. She was a superstar who had nothing to gain from being kind to the new girl, but she was and that changed this new girl’s entire experience on that show. I will forever be grateful to that beautiful human. My heart goes out to her family and her sweet boy. ❤️

A post shared by Becca Tobin (@becca) on Jul 13, 2020 at 3:32pm PDT

Now more than ever we must lift her family and friends up especially Josey! My heart is sent to them... Josey you are truly loved by every single person who loves your mommy! I love you Naya!
— Alex Newell (@thealexnewell) July 13, 2020

Thank you for what you gave the world. I love you. pic.twitter.com/CFNmwgtSva
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) July 13, 2020

Cheerios Forever pic.twitter.com/eQoogTJmIv
— Lauren Potter (@TheLaurenPotter) July 14, 2020

Completely devastated 💔
Wishing I could find better words...
Sending love, light, and power to the family, friends, and fans of beautiful Naya. What a force. https://t.co/4kHJqxZuAL
— SAMEYAAAAAA (@Sammie_Ware) July 14, 2020

Just unbelievable. Grateful to have known you and worked with you and your talent. RIP Naya. ❤️
— Damian Mc Ginty (@damianmcginty) July 13, 2020

i was so intimided meeting naya for the first time. i was a fish out of water and her warmth was disarming. for all her gifts as a performer she was also gifted as a person and made anyone feel seen and included.

celebrating your mark on the world today🕊🤍 pic.twitter.com/h5lJ1pcCiW
— Jacob Artist (@jacobartist) July 14, 2020

Naya Rivera’s Glee co-star Vanessa Lengies pays tribute to her

Lea Michele also shared a photo of Naya on her Instagram stories, alongside a photo of Cory Monteith, who tragically passed away 7 years ago.

As well as the Glee cast, Naya's friends and former co-stars also shared their memories and condolences on social media.

Writing about her guest role on Glee as Santana Lopez's girlfriend, Demi Lovato thanked Naya for bringing a groundbreaking character like Santana to life on-screen: "I’ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee. The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted queer girls (like me at the time) and open queer girls, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world. My heart goes out to your loved ones at this time..."

Demi's sentiments were echoed by fans of the show on Twitter, who all thanked Naya for her portrayal.

Read the tributes shared below by Naya's friends and peers:

View this post on Instagram

RIP Naya Rivera. I’ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee. The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted queer girls (like me at the time) and open queer girls, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world. My heart goes out to your loved ones at this time.. ❤️🕊

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Jul 13, 2020 at 5:29pm PDT

Can’t believe I’m writing this. My heart. So many emotions. So many memories. My mind did not want to accept this. My sweet Naya. I love you. Will always love you. I’ll never forget your sweet smile, your amazing… https://t.co/sun3WklPUp
— Tamera Mowry-Housley (@TameraMowryTwo) July 13, 2020

I'll never be able to articulate the importance of seeing Naya, a Black Puerto Rican, portraying a queer Afro-Latina on primetime TV. I'm heartbroken over all the stories that will remain untold. #RIPNayaRivera pic.twitter.com/UGq2rDwWay
— Steven Canals (@StevenCanals) July 13, 2020

the reason songbird by fleetwood mac is one of my favorite songs ever is because of the glee soundtrack version. she transformed it. 🙏🏼 Rest Easy Naya Rivera
God cover and hold her loved ones!
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) July 13, 2020

fuck man. rip naya rivera. thank you for helping me find myself and feel less alone when i was young. you will be missed.💔 i can’t believe this whole situation.
— MAGGIE LINDEMANN (@MaggieLindemann) July 13, 2020

Heartbreaking. Rest in love Naya Rivera. As a mother to a 3 year old boy, I felt your love through the pictures and videos you shared. A bond like no other. My sincere condolences to her entire family and her friends and especially that sweet little boy. #nayariviera
— 📎Lesley-Ann Brandt (@LesleyAnnBrandt) July 13, 2020

Naya was sweet, smart, funny and endlessly talented. This is just awful.
— Gabby Sidibe (@GabbySidibe) July 13, 2020

Rip Naya.. sleep peacefully in heaven 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZLSitdkMtv
— Skai Jackson (@skaijackson) July 13, 2020

Rest In Peace Naya. You are an icon to me. Your role as Santana played a special part in my life. Sending her family and friends good energy. 😔💜
— Madison Bailey (@madisonbailey) July 13, 2020

It feels strange to cry and mourn the loss of someone you never knew. But I grew up watching Glee- and Naya Rivera was such a beautiful talent. My heart breaks for her son.
Hold on tight to your people right now, if you’re lucky enough to be near them 💔
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) July 13, 2020

RIP sweet naya
— Ashley Benson (@AshBenzo) July 13, 2020

I am truly heartbroken to hear of the confirmed loss of this amazingly talented woman.

I have watched her shine since she was a little girl on #TheRoyalFamily. She deserved to have a long life full of every good thing. I’m gutted that that will never be.#RIPNayaRivera 💔 https://t.co/jgBma9JH3q
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) July 13, 2020

View this post on Instagram

This is heartbreaking 💔 Tell the people you love that you love them, Tell the people that hurt you that you forgive them, life is too short for all the hate, ego, stubbornness that stops of us from spending every second we can showering the world, our family and our friends with all the love we can offer while they’re still here. Naya you will be missed, ‘‘twas a gift to know you. Heaven has gained a gorgeous, hilarious, gifted angel who is also will forever be a shining star. RIP Naya.

A post shared by TODRICK (@todrick) on Jul 13, 2020 at 4:59pm PDT

Naya Rivera was truly a light and showed us all how to be unapologetically ourselves. We send our most heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and fans in this difficult time. Rest in peace, #NayaRivera pic.twitter.com/jmkJRFXMKs
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) July 13, 2020

Naya Rivera will be missed so much by so many. She was a friend of GLAAD and even hosted the GLAAD Media Awards twice. She was kind, gracious, and personally used her platforms and voice to tell LGBTQ youth that they are loved. Our hearts are with her loved ones.💔 pic.twitter.com/FBL2wy6PQm
— GLAAD (@glaad) July 13, 2020