July 15, 2020
'Glee' Creators Launch College Fund for Naya Rivera's Son, Pay Tribute to Late Actor
Kevin Schattenkirk READ TIME: 3 MIN.
The creators of "Glee" – Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuck and Ian Brennan – released a statement on Tuesday honoring the memory of series star Naya Rivera, who disappeared while boating with her 4-year old son, Josey, on Lake Piru in Ventura County, CA. Her body was recovered after a five-day search, an autopsy indicating accidental drowning as the cause.
The "Glee" creators' also announces the creation of a college fund for the late actor's son who, according to Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub, Rivera was able to save before disappearing in the water. The statement from Murphy, Falchuck and Brennan:
"We are heartbroken over the loss of our friend Naya Rivera... Naya wasn't a series regular when we cast her on 'Glee.' She didn't have more than a few lines in the pilot. But it didn't take more than an episode or two for us to realize that we had lucked into finding one of the most talented, special stars we would ever have the pleasure of working with. Naya could act, she could dance and she could sing (could she ever sing!). She could nail a joke as well as she could crush you with an emotional scene. She could move between being scary tough and deeply vulnerable with ease. She was a joy to write for, a joy to direct and a joy to be around.
Naya is responsible for numerous iconic 'Glee' musical performances – The Adele Mash-Up, 'Valerie,' 'Songbird,' but her greatest 'Glee' legacy is probably the humor and humanity that she brought to Santana's relationship with her best friend and eventual girlfriend/wife Brittany (played by Heather Morris). It was one of the first times an openly lesbian, high school relationship was seen on network television and Naya understood what 'Brittana' meant to the many young women who were seeing themselves represented on television for the first time. Naya always made sure that Santana's love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength, and with pure intentions. Naya was always moved by the girls who reached out to her to tell her how much Santana and Brittany's love affected them. Naya's obligation to them – and to all of her fans was obvious. She had the rare combination of humility and endless confidence in her talent.... a real pro... always on time, always knew her lines (which wasn't easy considering the giant mouthfuls of dialogue we often gave her), always kept everyone laughing on the set. She was warm and caring and fiercely protective of the rest of the cast.
She was tough and demanding. She was fun. She was kind. She was generous... There were ups and downs during the wonderful and stressful years we spent making 'Glee.' We disagreed, we fought, we made up, then we fought some more, and then we made up again. The kinds of things that happen in a family. Naya was more than just an actor on our show – she was our friend.
Our hearts go out to her family, especially her mom, Yolanda, who was big part of the 'Glee' family and her son, Josey. The three of us are currently in the process of creating a college fund for the beautiful son Naya loved most of all."
On "Glee," Rivera played Santana Lopez, a popular high school cheerleader who eventually came out, entered into a relationship with her best friend Brittany Pierce (played by Heather Morris) – "Britanna," as they came to be known; and, in season five, with co-worker Dani, played by guest star Demi Lovato.
Fellow "Glee" castmates Darren Criss, Kevin McHale, and Jane Lynch, congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, comedian Kathy Griffin, and celebrities such as Lovato, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Viola Davis, and Kristin Chenoweth, among many others, have paid tribute to Rivera, remembering the impact of her work and honoring her life.
Kevin Schattenkirk is an ethnomusicologist and pop music aficionado.
