Naya Rivera Dies at 33: Celebrities React

Credit: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Naya Rivera Dies at 33: Celebrities React

Heartbreaking news. Celebrities took to social media following the news that Glee alum Naya Rivera died. The actress, 33, was reported missing on Wednesday, July 8, when her 4-year-old son, Josey, was found alone on a boat in Lake Piru. Her body was recovered on Monday, July 13. “It is believed that Naya and her son were swimming in the lake near the boat and as they were getting back into the boat, her son made it into the boat and Naya went underwater and did not resurface,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department told Us at the time. Josey was wearing a life vest when he was found, and there was a second life vest found on board the boat for an adult. [jwplayer 9PTqjwLZ] “The best thing that we can say that contributes to a lot of the drownings is when people go swimming and they are not wearing their life vests. And they jumped off the boat,” Robert Inglis of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team told Us. “It doesn't take much to get exhausted if you're not in shape.” Rivera shared her son with her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, who had been on-site at the lake as well, assisting with the search. The day before she was reported missing, Rivera shared a sweet photo of her and Josey via Twitter. "Just the two of us,” she captioned the still on July 7. Another one of her recent tweets went viral following her disappearance. “No matter the year, circumstance, or strifes [every day] you’re alive is a blessing,” the Step Up: High Water actress wrote on July 2. “Make the most of today and every day you are given. Tomorrow is not promised.” Many celebs began speaking out following the disappearance, with former costar Heather Morris even volunteering to help. “My name is Heather Morris, I’m Nayas close friend and co-worker, and I’m trying to conduct an on-foot search and rescue mission along with a small group of friends at Lake Piru,” the dancer, 33, tweeted on Saturday, July 12. “I understand your team is doing EVERYTHING in their power, but we are feeling helpless, powerless and want to help in any way. I have left a message with the Department of Rescue and Air today, and I will call again tomorrow. Thank you.” Scroll through the gallery below for reactions from celebrities following her death. [podcast_block]

Credit: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Naya Rivera Dies at 33: Celebrities React

Heartbreaking news. Celebrities took to social media following the news that Glee alum Naya Rivera died. The actress, 33, was reported missing on Wednesday, July 8, when her 4-year-old son, Josey, was found alone on a boat in Lake Piru. Her body was recovered on Monday, July 13. “It is believed that Naya and her son were swimming in the lake near the boat and as they were getting back into the boat, her son made it into the boat and Naya went underwater and did not resurface,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department told Us at the time. Josey was wearing a life vest when he was found, and there was a second life vest found on board the boat for an adult. [jwplayer 9PTqjwLZ] “The best thing that we can say that contributes to a lot of the drownings is when people go swimming and they are not wearing their life vests. And they jumped off the boat,” Robert Inglis of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team told Us. “It doesn't take much to get exhausted if you're not in shape.” Rivera shared her son with her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, who had been on-site at the lake as well, assisting with the search. The day before she was reported missing, Rivera shared a sweet photo of her and Josey via Twitter. "Just the two of us,” she captioned the still on July 7. Another one of her recent tweets went viral following her disappearance. “No matter the year, circumstance, or strifes [every day] you’re alive is a blessing,” the Step Up: High Water actress wrote on July 2. “Make the most of today and every day you are given. Tomorrow is not promised.” Many celebs began speaking out following the disappearance, with former costar Heather Morris even volunteering to help. “My name is Heather Morris, I’m Nayas close friend and co-worker, and I’m trying to conduct an on-foot search and rescue mission along with a small group of friends at Lake Piru,” the dancer, 33, tweeted on Saturday, July 12. “I understand your team is doing EVERYTHING in their power, but we are feeling helpless, powerless and want to help in any way. I have left a message with the Department of Rescue and Air today, and I will call again tomorrow. Thank you.” Scroll through the gallery below for reactions from celebrities following her death. [podcast_block]

Credit: Courtesy of Naya Rivera/Instagram

Tia Mowry

"I think about Naya every single day. Every single day. Naya was a beautiful, beautiful spirit," Mowry told Entertainment Tonight in August 2020, reflecting on the late star. "What I loved about her is she always had this calm demeanor and she was so funny, and she had the most beautiful smile." 

The former Real cohost recalled having “wonderful, great memories of family” with the actress, who she met through her brother, Tahj Mowry. “She would always be at the house, with my family, whether that’s making guacamole, whether that’s coming over for holiday gatherings," the Sister, Sister alum said. "I also remember her going out with me, [my sister] Tamera [Mowry], Cory [Hardict], my husband now — we were just dating then — and just having just a really, really great time. [She]was always so dependable, and just a loving, funny, wonderful, giving, always giving, spirit."

Credit: Shutterstock

Big Sean

"Rest In Peace Naya, God Bless your Soul! Thank you for blessing us all with your talent and presence. you are a hero!" the "Bounce Back" rapper wrote. "Not just because of how you saved your son, also because of the barriers you knocked down for so many people to make them feel confident in themselves and to stand tall and be proud when they couldn’t achieve that on their own. I appreciate and cherish everything that ever happened between us for making me wiser and a better person. I’m still grieving and in shock, I can’t believe this is real. I’m praying for you and your family and I know your watching over them and protecting them. Rest In Peace Naya 💙🙏🏾."

Credit: Courtesy of Kendra Oyesanya/Instagram

Kendra Oyesanya

"The news of Naya's passing hit us all pretty hard," the Oklahoma native, who worked with Rivera on Step Up: High Water, told Us exclusively on July 17. "Our characters (Collette and Poppy) had a big sister, little sister relationship that transferred over into our real lives. We just clicked and she was my girl! Naya was very talented, witty, REAL, and fun to be around. She was a strong woman who was never afraid to speak her mind." Oyesanya and Rivera would get together for "dinner dates" to eat, drink and talk about "men and life" through the years. "She loved our cast and was really excited to start season 3 on our new network (Starz)," Oyesanya added. "She was an amazing mother who loved her son, Josey, with all her heart. The last time we spoke was around a week before she went missing … She told me she missed me. I couldn't wait to catch her up on everything with me and hear what's been up with her during quarantine life. I'm definitely going to miss her presence and working with her."

Credit: RINGO CHIU/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Lili Reinhart

"It feels strange to cry and mourn the loss of someone you never knew," the Riverdale star tweeted. "But I grew up watching Glee- and Naya Rivera was such a beautiful talent. My heart breaks for her son. Hold on tight to your people right now, if you’re lucky enough to be near them."

Credit: Courtesy of Rachel Zegler/Instagram

Rachel Zegler

"Naya. Fly high," the singer, who stars as Maria in the remake of West Side Story, tweeted.

Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock

Skai Jackson

"Rip Naya.. sleep peacefully in heaven," the former Disney Channel star tweeted.

Credit: Alba Vigaray/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

"I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Naya Rivera," the congresswoman tweeted. "The talent and depth Naya brought to her characters inspired millions. As a Latina, it's rare to have rich, complex characters reflect us in media. Naya worked hard to give that gift to so many. Que descanse en paz. [Rest in peace.]"

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Ne-Yo

“Goodbye mama, we’ll miss you,” Rivera’s Step Up: High Water costar wrote via his Instagram Stories. “And we’ll never forget you.”

Credit: ABC/Jessica Brooks

Viola Davis

“Prayers for Naya Rivera's family. Man … can we have a ‘Do Over’ of 2020,” the actress tweeted with two broken heart emojis. “The loss is too much.”

Credit: Matt Licari/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Rose McGowan

“My heart goes out to Naya Rivera’s son, family & friends,” McGowan tweeted. “Such a talented performer. Fly free, beautiful one. I’m so sorry you didn’t get to live. #NayaRivera.”

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Dwyane Wade

“Rest in Heaven🙏🏾,” the basketball player tweeted.

Credit: Rex

Holly Robinson Peete

“Rest In Heaven, Naya Rivera,” Peete wrote alongside a photo of Rivera with son Josey. “Sending so much prayer, love and courage to her family. 🙏🏽”

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Becky G

“Beautiful Naya Rivera, Rest In Peace,” the “Shower” songstress tweeted. “My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones. You will be missed & never forgotten. ❤️”

Credit: Shutterstock

Mario Cantone

“Heartbroken today,” the actor wrote alongside a photo with Rivera. “My friend Naya was found.I waited to say anything b/c you always have hope.She was stunning inside and out and THE most talented one on GLEE.We had good times on THE VIEW & some great NY nights.I will miss her terribly! My ❤️ to Josey.”

Credit: Media Punch/INSTARimages.com

Tia Mowry

Tia shared a throwback photo of Rivera with her brother Tahj Mowry, who recently revealed he dated the Glee star in the past. “My Naya. I became apart of your world through my brother @tahj_mowry,” Tia wrote. “You guys used to hit the pavement auditioning together and booking jobs together. I’ve known your beautiful spirit since the age of 6. You quickly became family. Just some of my favorite memories- you helping my sister and myself look for a place to live when my parents kicked Tamera and I out of the house at 25. Us hitting L.A. night life together with @tahj_mowry and going to [parties]introducing me to the most wild drink I’ve ever had and you laughing at me because I couldn’t handle it. I will never forget asking you to shoot an episode of my cooking show Tia Mowry at Home and you saying yes without hesitation. Or us waking together to our cars on the paramount lot after a long hard day of work. We were both so stoked that we had television shows on the same lot.”

She concluded: “I love you. Your smile will always be the most beautiful smile. Rest my love. You are now a beautiful angel. 🙏🏽”

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Josh Gad

“Sick to my stomach. RIP #nayarivera,” the actor replied to a photo of the Glee cast hand in hand with Rivera’s family at Lake Piru on Monday.

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Paula Abdul

“I didn’t know Naya personally, but I admired her as an artist,” Abdul tweeted. “I’m so devastated by the news - a true talent lost far too soon. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to her family. 💞 XoP #RipNayaRivera.”

Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Shutterstock

Aly and AJ

“Praying for Naya Rivera, Kelly Preston & Benjamin Keough’s families right now. 💔 ,” the sisters tweeted. “Please take a moment to think of them today.”

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Mandy Moore

“This is absolutely heartbreaking,” the actress penned. “Sending love and holding space for her son and loved ones.”

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Ashley Benson

“RIP sweet naya,” the Pretty Little Liars star tweeted on Monday.

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Kehlani

“The reason songbird by fleetwood mac is one of my favorite songs ever is because of the glee soundtrack version. she transformed it. 🙏🏼 Rest Easy Naya Rivera,” the singer wrote. “God cover and hold her loved ones!”

Credit: Shutterstock

Bebe Rexha

“This is an absolute nightmare. I had the pleasure of having dinner with her once after a recording session we did together and she was an absolute sweetheart,” Rexha tweeted. “My heart goes out to her family and friends. I hope I’m lucky enough to meet you up in heaven. Rest In Peace Naya Rivera.”