Members of the Glee cast were photographed holding hands on the shore of Lake Piru in California, the same day that the Ventura County Sheriffs confirmed Naya Rivera’s death.
Josey
Rivera’s body was discovered five days after she disappeared on Lake Piru, where her son, Josey, was found July 8 alone on a boat the two had rented, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday that the body found was Rivera’s.
7 Year Anniversary of Corey Monteith
Her body was found on the seven-year anniversary of the death of Glee star Cory Monteith, who died July 13, 2013 from a toxic mix of alcohol and heroin.
Took to Social Media
Many of her Glee castmates took to social media after Rivera’s body was found to send their condolences to her family.
Lea Michele posted photos of Rivera and Monteith to her Instagram story.
Lea Michele’s ig story about Naya & Cory ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dcVdH2S3uC
— Naya Rivera Team ミ☆ (@NayaRivera_Team) July 13, 2020
Sue Sylvester
Jane Lynch, who played Coach Sue Sylvester on Glee, took to Twitter to write, “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
Kevin McHale
Kevin McHale, who played Artie Abrams, wrote, “My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world with you.”
McHale continued, “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.”
My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world without you. pic.twitter.com/qX9t1Uhx01
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) July 14, 2020
For having such tiny body, Naya had such a gigantic presence, a void that will now be felt by all of us – those of us who knew her personally and the millions of you who loved her through your TVs. I love you, Bee.
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) July 14, 2020
Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer, who played Kurt Hummel on the series, posted a tribute to Instagram.
“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,” Colfer wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmPW-Oje1q/
Darren Criss
Darren Criss, who played Blaine Anderson, posted a Twitter thread about Rivera.
“She was bold. She was outrageous. She was a LOT of fun,” he began. “Naya made me laughed 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 humour never ceased to bring a smile to my face.”
He continued: “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.”
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.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
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.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
I was constantly moved by the degree to which she took care of her family, and how she looked out for her friends. She showed up for me on numerous occasions where she didn’t have to, and I was always so grateful for her friendship then, as I certainly am now.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
And even as I sit here, struggling to comprehend, gutted beyond description- the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face. That was Naya’s gift.
And it's a gift that will never go away.Rest in peace you wild, hilarious, beautiful angel.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
Criss said that he was “constantly moved by the degree to which she took care of her family, and how she looked out for her friends.”
“And even as I sit here, struggling to comprehend, gutted beyond description — the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face. That was Naya’s gift. And it’s a gift that will never go away. Rest in peace you wild, hilarious, beautiful angel,” Criss concluded.
Lauren Potter
Lauren Potter, who played Becky Jackson, wrote, “Cheerios Forever.”
Cheerios Forever pic.twitter.com/eQoogTJmIv
— Lauren Potter (@TheLaurenPotter) July 14, 2020
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato, who played Rivera’s girlfriend on Glee, wrote, “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
— Team Demi (@ddlovato) July 14, 2020
Jenna Ushkowitz
Jenna Ushkowitz, who played Tina Cohen-Chang, wrote, “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.”
Becca
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.”
She continued, “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 said that Rivera 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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