Former Glee co-stars of Naya Rivera, who died recently after drowning in Lake Piru in California, shared tributes on social media, remembering their wonderful memories with the actress.
The show’s creators, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, released a statement saying they were heartbroken over the death of Rivera, who played Santana on the show, and recalled her immense talent on the show.
“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,” their statement said.
Dianna Agron, who played high school cheerleader Quinn Fabray on the show, said Rivera was her friend and ally.
“Naya and I fell into stride with such ease, she was my first friend and ally on our show. Our enthusiasm brimmed with all of the unknown,” she said in an Instagram post. “To work with her was a gift. I cannot make sense of this tremendous loss. I will hold onto her and these memories for the rest of time, alongside our Glee family. Please hold space for her, her family, her beautiful boy.”
Matthew Morrison, who played Will Schuester on Glee, recalled the positive influence of Rivera on the world, and how she was a “powerful force” both in her personal life and in her work.
“I’m confident that her positive influence will be continuously felt, and that her beautiful spirit will carry on in the lives of so many. I’m devastated by this immense loss. I find some solace in closure, but the pain I feel for her and her family cannot be measured,” he wrote in the caption.
Chris Colfer, who played Kurt Hummel, posted a photo of him and Naya on his Instagram, remembering their decade of friendship.
“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. Her brilliance and humor were unmatched. Her beauty and talent were otherworldly,” he wrote on the caption.
He added that Rivera spoke truth with fearlessness, and that she uplifted people without trying. “Being close to her was both a badge of honor and a suit of armor. Naya was truly one of a kind, and she always will be.”
Heather Morris, who played Santana’s best friend and love interest, said is “taking a moment to honor my grief.”
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Jane Lynch, meanwhile, tweeted “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
While she had a tumultous relationship with Rivera, Lea Michele also posted a tribute to her and Cory Monteith via her Instagram stories.
Reports also said that Murphy, Falchuk and Brennan are currently in the process of setting up a college fund for Rivera’s son.
SEE ALSO: Body of ‘Glee’ star Naya Rivera found, autopsy rules drowning as cause of death