Naya Rivera finally answered questions regarding her future on Glee at last night’s 100th episode party in West Hollywood when TV Line caught up with her for an interview.
We reported sources who say Naya will not be returning to Glee’s 6th and final season come September. She stayed mum on that subject, but did reveal that she’ll be back on the Glee set Thursday to begin shooting 5×17 titled “Opening Night.” Naya was absent for the filming of the first three New York-centric episodes set to air after the 10oth episode two parter concludes next week.
While addressing the rumors, did the actress and singer throw some MAJOR SHADE at her co-star, Lea Michele, who plays Rachel Berry on the series?
Rivera couldn’t account for the swirling exit rumors, but suggested that they were born of a recent interview costar Lea Michele gave, previewing the show’s new focus for the balance of Season 5. (“It’s New York now,” Rachel’s portrayer told E! Online. “So it’s me and Chris [Colfer] and Darren [Criss] and Chord [Overstreet] and Kevin [McHale].”) “I guess Lea was doing interviews and had omitted me from the New York cast list, but I’m sure that was just a Freudian slip on her part, or maybe it wasn’t,” Rivera offered.
Maybe you had to be their to catch the context? Hm. For the record, the rumors about Naya’s exit began after a reporter from THR left Naya’s name off a list of actors who were reportedly set to return for the New York-centric episodes. Also, remarks that Naya HERSELF made in press interviews and on twitter–not wanting to discuss the future of her character, for instance–increased speculation. I put together a timeline of events as part of my original report HERE.
“People just take things, little things, and blow them up. But like I said, I’m reporting for duty Thursday at noon.” (As for anyone’s involvement in the Fox series’ sixth and final season, decisions on that are not expected until late June.)
Naya sounds THRILLED to be back on set, doesn’t she? Heh. I would imagine she’s contractually obligated to do a certain amount of episodes for the season, as she is a regular cast member. “Opening Night” sounds suspiciously like it will revolve around Rachel’s (Lea Michele) Broadway debut as the lead in Funny Girl. Also returning for 5×17, reportedly, are Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz, who is reportedly not returning next season either) and Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch). That could be just a partial list of guest stars, as details about “Opening Night” are just beginning to emerge.
Questions Naya has yet to address: Does her return to the Glee set “for duty” on Thursday, signal a return for the rest of the season? Will she be returning to the series as a season regular for season 6? And what the heck is up between her and Lea?
AND DID NAYA GET A BOOB JOB? Those girls are looking pretty bouncy lately. (Naya tweeted this photo yesterday. That’s her fiance, rapper, Big Sean, next to her. Boob job rumors are currently overtaking Naya-is-leaving-Glee rumors. Perhaps by design?
