The forged of Glee reunited just about to pay tribute to the late Naya Rivera 9 months after her death.
The GLAAD Media Awards section, which aired on Thursday, April 8, celebrated the 10th anniversary of Rivera’s Glee character, Santana Lopez, popping out and “the character’s influence on LGBTQ teenagers and Latinx LGBTQ illustration on tv.” Demi Lovato, who performed Santana’s girlfriend throughout season 5 of the Fox sequence, offered the award.
A number of members of the forged — together with Heather Morris, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Matthew Morrison, Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Jane Lynch, Harry Shum Jr., Becca Tobin, Jacob Artist, Alex Newell and Vanessa Lengies — gathered for the event. Nonetheless, among the present’s stars, akin to Lea Michele, Dianna Agron and Chord Overstreet, didn’t take part within the occasion.
“What’s up social gathering individuals?” Morrison, 42, who performed Will Schuester, stated because the forged reunited by way of Zoom. Lynch, 60, kicked issues off by telling a narrative about how moved she was by Rivera’s onscreen performances, saying she got here to life when the digicam turned on.
“I keep in mind when Naya grew to become a daily forged member, she was a dancer. And I at all times thought she was cute, and she or he was a fantastic dancer,” the actress, who performed Cheerios coach Sue Sylvester, recalled. “After which Ryan [Murphy] stared giving her strains and I used to be like, ‘Wow, this woman is de facto one thing.’”
Morrison famous that Rivera was much more inspiring offscreen as a mom to her son, Josey.
“Naya and I had been good associates on the present, however I feel we grew to become a lot better associates once we each had kids and to see her put all that vitality into her son was simply an unimaginable sight to see and one thing I’ll at all times keep in mind,” he stated.
Ushkowitz added: “Her greatest function was her being a mother. That was probably the most fulfilling to see her try this.”
Rivera died in July 2020 after she went lacking whereas out on a ship along with her son, Josey, now 5. Her physique was recovered after a five-day search. A few of her Glee castmates were at the scene on the time.
Morris, Riley and extra honored Rivera in January on what would have been her 34th birthday. “I can’t write a sappy monologue as a result of it’s simply too exhausting,” the Spring Breakers actress, 34, famous on the time. “However I really like you and I can’t describe how a lot I miss you.”
Riley, for her half, gushed: “There hasn’t been a day the place you don’t cross my thoughts, and if you do, I take a second of silence to recollect all the attractive moments we received to spend collectively.”
The forged organized a fundraiser to profit Rivera’s favourite charity in December 2020. The GoFundMe marketing campaign raised cash for Alexandria Home, a nonprofit in L.A. that gives protected housing for ladies and youngsters.
“This yr I misplaced one in all my dearest associates, Naya,” Morris wrote by way of Instagram on the time. “She at all times impressed me as a result of she by no means let a vacation season go by with out giving again to these in want. We’re preserving Nayas spirit alive this vacation season by elevating funds for one in all her favourite organizations, Alexandria Home. Please, give what you’ll be able to and assist unfold Snixxmas cheer.”
Morrison opened up in December 2020 about losing Rivera after the deaths of costars Cory Monteith and Mark Salling.
“It was a very difficult yr to lose yet one more member of our forged, however we’ve simply bonded collectively a lot by this expertise,” the What to Anticipate When You’re Anticipating actor, 42, instructed Leisure Tonight.
Monteith died in July 2013 from an overdose on the age of 31. Salling died by suicide in January 2018 on the age of 35.
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