The “Glee” Cast Teams Up to Release Previously Unheard Naya Rivera Single 'Prayer for the Broken' for Charity
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Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Ashley Fink and other members of the 'Glee' cast provided backing vocals on the track released on Friday
Members of the Glee cast have unwrapped a special holiday gift to fans of the late Naya Rivera.
On Friday, a previously unreleased single sung by the Glee star, “Prayer for the Broken,” was released posthumously after her former costars received permission to finish the track.
The song was released as a part of the singers/actors annual fundraiser known as Snixxmas. Organized every year since Rivera died at age 33 in July 2020, the event continues to pay tribute to her by honoring one of her favorite charities, Alexandria House. This year, all proceeds from the single will go to the organization, which supports women and children experiencing homelessness.
Related: Naya Rivera's 10 Best Glee Covers, from Amy Winehouse's 'Valerie' to Fleetwood Mac's 'Songbird'
According to Alexandria House, the cast of the Golden Globe-winning series received permission from Rivera’s mother, Yolanda Previtire, and the original songwriters, Isaac Hasson and Lindy Robbins, to release the track. Ashley Fink, Vanessa Lengies, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Amber Riley and Jenna Ushkowitz contributed to the project and ended up lending their backing vocals to the final version of the song.
McHale, 35, shared a thoughtful video on Instagram featuring the performers involved with the project. In the clip, the TV stars teased their annual charity drive and the song, and even revealed footage of their process in the studio.
In the caption, he added, “This year, let’s celebrate the gifts Naya gave to us, her talent and her heart. This song has meant to much to me over the years and now I hope it will for all of you.”
The song itself, first composed and recorded in 2012, is a compelling empowerment anthem. In her signature, soulful voice, the Santana Lopez actress sings of uplifting anyone who experiences loneliness or feels like an outcast.
“This is a prayer for the broken / For those who are afraid / This is a cry for this brave world / So beautiful and strange / It’s all so temporary, so temporary / But we are not alone / So hold me like you’ll never let me go,” she sings in the chorus.
PEOPLE spoke to Fink, 37, about the project ahead of its release at the opening night of Love Actually Live in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Related: 'Glee' Reunion! Heather Morris Honors Naya Rivera with a Sweet Tribute as Cast Comes Together
She explained that the idea for Snixxmas originally came from a party the late singer used to throw of the same name, as a nod to her nickname “Snixx.” Fink said, “After she passed, Kevin McHale and Jenna and her best friend, Telly, all decided to keep it going in her memory. Because she wasn't here, we all wanted to make sure every year we donated to [Alexandria House]. They got to buy an entire apartment complex for women in need, and it's so incredible.”
Of collaborating on “Prayer for the Broken,” Fink said, “When we all got together in the recording studio, all we talked about was Naya, our Snicks, and all these fun memories.”
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“The thing about Glee is — I know everyone says this — but it was such a family,” the actress continued. “So few people got to experience what we experienced together. It's something that bonds you forever, and we've gone through so much tragedy, unfortunately. The tragedy, the triumphs, and the love, there's so much love there between all of us. Any time we get together, we talk about Cory [Monteith], we talk about Naya.”
She added, “It's a wonderful way to honor her memory, and all get to share our favorite moments together every year.”
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