Naya Rivera: Glee Costars Pay Tribute to Her After Confirmation of Her Death
On July 13 officials in California confirmed Naya Rivera’s death, detailing what they believe to be a boating accident gone tragically wrong. It was news many feared after the former Glee star went missing on July 8 and her son was found asleep in a pontoon boat she rented at California’s Lake Piru. Police say there’s no evidence of foul play or suicide, and a sheriff said it appeared Rivera had “mustered enough energy to get her son back on the boat” but sadly not herself.
A number of Rivera’s Glee costars gathered at Lake Piru and held hands in a touching tribute to their friend. “This photo of the cast of #Glee gathering together at Lake Piru today where #NayaRivera’s body was found is incredibly powerful—especially when you consider today is the 7-year anniversary of Cory Monteith’s death. I’m a mess,” journalist Dave Quinn tweeted with an image of the cast shown on the local news.
Many of Rivera’s costars also shared tributes to their friend, some remarking on the anniversary of Cory Monteith’s death from a drug overdose. “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,” Kevin McHale, who played Artie Abrams, tweeted.
Amber Riley, Glee’s Mercedes Jones, shared a sweet video of Rivera and her son singing together. “My favorite duet partner. I love you. I miss you,” she wrote. “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.”
“Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family,” Jane Lynch tweeted, while Lea Michele shared black-and-white images of both Monteith and Rivera on her Instagram Stories.
“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?” Chris Colfer, who starred as Kurt on Glee, posted on Instagram. “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.”
“She was bold. She was outrageous. She was a LOT of fun,” Darren Criss shared about his friend.
“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.”
Harry Shum Jr., a.k.a Mike, wrote this letter to Rivera:
Cory Monteith’s mother, Ann McGregor, shared a tribute to Naya through the official “Cory's Law” Instagram page, per Us Weekly.
It’s clear she will be missed tremendously. Rest in peace, Naya.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
