'Brightest star in my eyes': 'Glee' stars pour tributes for Naya Rivera's first death anniversary
One year after the untimely death of Naya Rivera, her family, friends, and costars are honoring the memory of the beloved actress.
Rivera died from an accidental drowning accident in July of 2020. According to accounts, she had managed to return her son, Josey, to their boat before disappearing into the water. Rivera was 33.
She famously portrayed cheerleader Santana Lopez in the FOX musical series Glee and published the autobiography Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up.
For her first death anniversary, Glee co-star Heather Morris shared that she had gotten a tattoo of one of Rivera's last social media posts before passing.
no matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you're alive is a blessing. make the most of today and every day you are given. tomorrow is not promised pic.twitter.com/O4t7wdqA4k
— Naya Rivera (@NayaRivera) July 2, 2020
"You are the brightest star in my eyes Naya Rivera. I’m so grateful GOD LAYED A HAND and brought us together as best friends, mom friends, scene partners, and everything in between," Morris shared, as her character Brittany was often the paramour opposite Rivera's Santana.
"Your legacy lives on in kindness and being “that sassy queen” in my eyes. I love you forever bebe girl."
Meanwhile, other co-stars have followed suit in commemorating Naya such as Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Jenna Uskowitz, Kevin McHale, Amber Riley, Matthew Morris, and Lea Michele.
The Glee stars and Naya's family formed a human chain near California's Lake Piru on the day that Rivera's body was recovered.
Remembering. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1tiemciktN
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) July 8, 2021
