Naya Rivera Dead at 33: Actress' 'Glee' Co-Stars and Friends Pay Tribute
Naya Rivera's loved ones are paying tribute to the late actress and sending their condolences after her tragic death.
Rivera was pronounced dead on Monday, as her body was discovered following a five-day search. She was reported missing last Wednesday after she took a boat ride with her 4-year-old son, Josey, in Lake Piru in the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County, California. The Sheriff's Department told NBCLA that Rivera and her son rented a boat at around 1 p.m. but approximately three hours later, another boater discovered Josey in the boat by himself. TMZ reported that Josey told authorities that his mother went into the water for a swim, but never returned to the boat.
Rivera, who played Santana Lopez on Glee, was just 33 years old. Both her famous friends and fans are speaking out about the tragedy, including her Glee co-stars.
Chris Colfer, who portrayed Kurt Hummel on Glee, 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," he concluded.
A post shared by Chris Colfer (@chriscolfer) on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:33pm PDT
"Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were," Jane Lynch, who played Sue Sylvester on Glee, tweeted. "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
"My heart is broken," Alex Newell, who played Unique Adams, wrote. "I truly had soo much fun filming this little segment... we both clearly didn’t wanna be there but made the most of it! Naya was truly a star.. one day as I was coming out of hair and make up I saw her sitting at base camp and she said “Alex... when you go on tour can you please say ‘everybody say heeeyy Ms. Newell’’ just for me!” I said absolutely we laughed and had a short little convo about life and music.. I’ll cherish that moment for ever!! I watched her preform with such power, brilliance, and honesty.. While being a light as a person! The love she had for her family and friends was always clear! She will truly be missed! Josey you are loved by all the people who love your mother! My thoughts and prayers are with her family! Rest Sweet Angel."
A post shared by Alex Newell (@thealexnewell) on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:21pm PDT
Kristin Chenoweth, who was April Rhodes on Glee, shared a photo of Naya and her son, writing, "Thank you for what you gave the world. I love you."
Thank you for what you gave the world. I love you. pic.twitter.com/CFNmwgtSva
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) July 13, 2020
Becca Tobin, who played Kitty Wilde, wrote, "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
Kevin McHale shared an emotional tribute, alongside a photo of himself and Rivera smiling and standing side by side. "My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world without you," McHale wrote. "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," McHale's tribute continued, in part. "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."
A post shared by Kevin McHale (@kevinmchale) on Jul 13, 2020 at 4:52pm PDT
McHale also tweeted that he felt Monteith had a part in finding Rivera. "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," the 32-year-old actor, who played Artie Abrams on Glee, wrote. "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."
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
While Lea Michele, who played Rachel Berry on the Fox series, did not post a message about Rivera, she did share a never-before-seen photo of her Glee co-star on her Instagram Story.
As for Dianna Agron, who portrayed Quinn Fabray on Glee, she shared a photo of her and Rivera on Instagram, writing in part, "I cannot make sense of this tremendous loss. I will hold onto her and these memories for the rest of time, alongside our Glee family. Please hold space for her, her family, her beautiful boy. In absolute, loving memory."
A post shared by Dianna Agron (@diannaagron) on Jul 14, 2020 at 9:14am PDT
Amber Riley, who was Mercedes Jones on the Fox series, posted a video of Rivera and her son singing. "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," she captioned the video.
A post shared by Amber Riley (@msamberpriley) on Jul 13, 2020 at 9:02pm PDT
Read more reactions below:
A post shared by Matthew Morrison (@matthewmorrison) on Jul 14, 2020 at 10:44am PDT
A post shared by Gwyneth Paltrow (@gwynethpaltrow) on Jul 14, 2020 at 9:10am PDT
A post shared by Darren Criss (@darrencriss) on Jul 13, 2020 at 6:00pm PDT
A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Jul 13, 2020 at 5:29pm PDT
A post shared by Jenna Ushkowitz (@jennaushkowitz) on Jul 13, 2020 at 3:40pm PDT
I only got to meet #NayaRivera a few times, but each time she looked me right in the eye, was fully present and laughed whole-heartedly. I adored her. I’m heartbroken for her family. Let’s all send them love. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WHyson17el
— Ross Mathews (@helloross) 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. #RIPNayaRiverapic.twitter.com/UGq2rDwWay
— Steven Canals (@StevenCanals) 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
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
Rest In Peace and power, Naya. 😔💔
— Janel Parrish Long (@JanelParrish) July 13, 2020
Rip Naya.. sleep peacefully in heaven 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZLSitdkMtv
— Skai Jackson (@skaijackson) July 13, 2020
This is absolutely heartbreaking. Sending love and holding space for her son and loved ones. https://t.co/7RkKnj4xU7
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) July 13, 2020
This is an absolute nightmare. I had the pleasure of having dinner with her once after a recording session we did together and she was an absolute sweetheart. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I hope I’m lucky enough to meet you up in heaven. Rest In Peace Naya Rivera
— Bebe Rexha (@BebeRexha) July 13, 2020
A post shared by tameramowrytwo (@tameramowrytwo) on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:16pm PDT
Beautiful Naya Rivera, Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones. You will be missed & never forgotten. ❤️
— Becky G. (@iambeckyg) July 13, 2020
I didn’t know Naya personally, but I admired her as an artist. I’m so devastated by the news - a true talent lost far too soon. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to her family. 💞 XoP #RipNayaRivera
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) July 13, 2020
Sick to my stomach. RIP #nayariverahttps://t.co/OYwWQMgCoh
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 13, 2020
Absolutely devastating news about Naya Rivera. Beautiful inside and out. You will be missed greatly. RIP Naya. Thoughts with all her friends and family at this awful time.
— Max George (@MaxGeorge) July 13, 2020
What a horribly heavy day... rest peacefully Naya. My best wishes to her family and friends 💔
— Sarah Jeffery (@sarahjeffery) July 13, 2020
RIP sweet naya
— Ashley Benson (@AshBenzo) 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
2020 gets worse by the day. RIP Naya Rivera.
— Amber Davies (@Amber_Davies7) July 13, 2020
“Naya Rivera was a fierce talent with so much more to do 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." (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Enq77UmNly
— FOX (@FOXTV) July 13, 2020
In Loving Memory. pic.twitter.com/fOJ5PFjEZM
— STARZ (@STARZ) July 13, 2020
Our hearts go out to Naya Rivera’s family, especially her young child. She was a vibrant and luminous talent who will always remain a very special part of our ‘Step Up’ family. Her memory will be carried on through her lasting contributions to our industry. pic.twitter.com/Ypb2YXmNCP
— Lionsgate (@Lionsgate) July 13, 2020
Naya was an extremely talented performer that i got the pleasure of working with. The only thing that rivaled her acting abilities, was her incredible voice. I am extremely saddened to hear the news about someone who had such a positive impact on so many peoples lives. 😢
— dean geyer (@geyerdean) July 13, 2020
May the Holy Spirit bring peace to her family and friends during this extremely terrible time.
— dean geyer (@geyerdean) July 13, 2020
As a new parent, this hits me so fuc*ing hard. Naya. What a hero. https://t.co/BplipM7ZLt
— Max Adler (@Mr_Max_Adler) July 13, 2020
Beautiful memories boricua. RIP. pic.twitter.com/mhqUEJh8rq
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) July 14, 2020
RIP Naya. pic.twitter.com/RG0T4NQYO2
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) July 14, 2020
A post shared by Chord Overstreet (@chordoverstreet) on Jul 14, 2020 at 1:48pm PDT
Back in September 2016, Rivera sat down with ET to discuss her memoir -- Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up -- and candidly talked about a few of her deeply personal life experiences.
Watch the video below for more:
EXCLUSIVE: Naya Rivera Opens Up About Her Secret Abortion, And Telling Husband Ryan Years Later
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