Co-stars are mourning the lost of Glee star Naya Rivera whose body was found Monday (July 13) after going missing in California’s Lake Piru last Wednesday. The actress’ four year old son Josey Dorsey was discovered alone on a boat that evening. The Ventura county Sheriff’s office conducted a search and rescue every day utilizing boats, helicopters, sonar and more.
Chillingly, Naya’s body was found on the 7th anniversary of the death of her fellow Glee star, Cory Monteith, who died from a drug overdose in a Vancouver Canada hotel room. She’s the third Glee star to pass away under tragic circumstances. Mark Salling, whom Naya dated for awhile committed suicide in 2018.
Tributes from Naya’s fellow castmates have come pouring in.
Chris Colfer wrote: “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.”
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American Idol alum Adam Lambert did a short guest starring turn in season 5 as glam rocker Elliot “Starchild” Gilbert. He shared the stage with Naya (Santana Lopez) to sing Madonna’s “Into the Groove.”
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Darren Criss wrote: “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.? She played by her own rules and was in a class of her own. She had a brashness about her that I couldn’t help but be enchanted by. I also always loved her voice, and savored every chance I got to hear her sing. I think she had more talent than we would have ever been able to see.?
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Jane Lynch writes: “Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.”
Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) July 13, 2020
Mike O’Malley: “Naya Rivera was hilarious. She lit up the set. She was the definition of cool.”
Naya Rivera was hilarious. She lit up the set. She was the definition of cool. pic.twitter.com/lDZAbtt6P9
— Mike O'Malley (@TheMikeOMalley) July 14, 2020
Jenna Ushkowitz: “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.”
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Kevin McHale: Kevin is convinced Corey helped find Naya on the anniversary of his death.
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
Kevin wrote a long heartfelt tribute: My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world without you. 7 years ago today, she and I were together in London when we found out about Cory. We were so far away, but I was so thankful that we had each other. A week ago today we were talking about running away to Hawaii. This doesn’t make sense. And I know it probably never will. She was so independent and strong and the idea of her not being here is something I cannot comprehend. She was the single most quick-witted person I’ve ever met, with a steel-trap memory that could recall the most forgettable conversations from a decade ago verbatim. The amount of times she would memorize all of those crazy monologues on Glee the morning of and would never ever mess up during the scene… I mean, she was clearly more talented than the rest of us. She was the most talented person I’ve ever known. There is nothing she couldn’t do and I’m furious we won’t get to see more…
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Demi Lovato: She played Naya’s (Santana Lopez) love interest Dani for a few episodes. She writes: “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 (at the time) queer girls like me, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world.”
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 (at the time) queer girls like me, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world. pic.twitter.com/oCML03M9Kw
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) July 14, 2020
Alex Newell writes: “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!
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
Becca Tobin: “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.”
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Lea Michele: She deleted her Twitter account over the weekend, presumably due to bullying from fans. It was well known that Lea and Naya were not friends, especially after cast members stepped out to say Lea bullied them on set. Regardless, Lea quietly posted a trio of photos on her Instagram stories without comment, including a photo of Cory Monteith, whom she dated at the time of his death, Naya, and the cast on the beach.
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