Remembering Naya Rivera

Music, Lifestyle & Food

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Today, I would like to commemorate the passing of the Glee star, Naya Rivera. She was an amazing actress/singer who played the role of an openly lesbian woman in Glee.

After 6 long dreadful days of searching, a body was found in Lake Piru. Sheriff Bill Ayub said that they’re confident the body discovered is Naya Rivera. Her body will be taken to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy and positive identification.

There’s nothing that indicates any foul play took place or that she died by suicide as some theories that were spinning on the media. This was simply a heartbreaking accidental drowning death.

Remembering Her Dedication To Help Others

Naya always tried to give back however she could. She dedicated some of her time to several charity organizations, like The Trevor Project, Stand Up to Cancer, The Sunshine Foundation, and GLAAD amongst others.

In 2011, she was named the newest celebrity spokesperson for Proactiv. On March 24, 2012, she co-hosted the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York with Glee co-star Cory Monteith. Along with John Stamos, both hosts auctioned off kisses to the crowd, raising $15,000. This tradition had started with Rivera when she hosted the 22nd Annual Media Awards in San Francisco.

Naya's Career

When she was only 4 years old, Naya landed the role of Hillary Winston in The Royal Family. She made a name for herself as a child actress and model, who appeared in various national TV commercials. For the next ten years, she had small roles on various television shows, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, and Baywatch.

In 2009, Naya had her big break after landing the rold of Santana Lopez on Glee, the FOX hit series. Apart from being an incredible actress, she was also a very talented singer. Naya got signed to Columbia Records in 2011, making her one of the first glee stars to land a Solo contract. That same year, she was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

In 2013, Naya released Sorry, a single featuring Big Sean, whom she was briefly engaged to in 2013, before ending the relationship later on in 2014. She later dated Josey’s father, actor Ryan Dorsey, marrying him in Cabo San Lucas in July 2014. They divorced in 2018 and had been sharing custody of Josey.

Naya was a force to be reckoned with. She was part of over 17 different TV series and 6 films, some of which include; Glee, Baywatch, At The Devil’s Door (a.k.a HOME), CSI: Miami, and Step Up: High Water.

Remembering Naya Rivera

Being completely honest, I am still shocked about this whole situation. Naya was a role-model for many people, especially for the young LGBT teens who grew up watching Glee.

Millions of people watched Glee for the drama, the cover versions, the comedy – and the positive representation of a relationship between two LGBT women. Naya played cheerleader Santana Lopez, who discovered she was a lesbian when she fell for her best friend, Brittany.

Above everything, she was of African-American, German, and Puerto Rican descent, as well as the mother of Josey Hollis Dorsey, the daughter of Yolanda, a former model, and George Rivera.

She was the oldest of three children: her younger brother is former NFL tight end Mychal Rivera, and her younger sister is runway model Nickayla Rivera.

We can only hope and pray that her soul, as well as her family, find comfort and peace. Her death was a truly heartbreaking and shocking accident, and with no doubt, her name will live on forever through her work and all the art that she has left behind.

I’m going to close this post by linking some of my favourite performances by the incredibly talented Naya Rivera. May she rest in peace.

Other articles about Naya Rivera:

NPR: Remembering Naya Rivera’s Legacy on LGBT+ People of Color

BBC: Glee Star Dies of Accidental Drowning

ARAB NEWS: ‘Glee’ Star Naya Rivera Saved Son Before Dying

HARPER’S BAZAAR: Glee Stars Honor Naya Rivera amid News of Her Death

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My name is Jas Rolyn, and I am a singer-songwriter from Malta.
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