Glee stars Chris Colfer and Heather Morris pay touching tributes to ‘superhuman’ friend and ally Naya Rivera
Naya Rivera and Chris Colfer in Glee (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Naya Rivera has been remembered in a pair of touching tributes by Glee co-stars Chris Colfer and Heather Morris.
In a piece for Variety, Colfer — who played Kurt Hummel on Glee — reflected on Rivera’s work and life, two weeks after she died by drowning while swimming in a lake.
He wrote: “I’m not sure anyone on Earth could give Naya Rivera the tribute she deserves.
“In fact, the process of losing her has been such a nightmare, I find myself wondering if Naya was even real or if she was just a dream all along.
“How could a human being be that talented, that hilarious and that beautiful at once? How could one person be responsible for so much joy and be the subject of so many wonderful memories?
Naya Rivera and Chris Colfer on Glee. (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
“When Naya sang, you could feel her soul resonating through your own. Her voice would break your heart in one chorus, only to rebuild it in the next.
“Watching her perform was like watching magic unfold before your eyes. Naya didn’t just sing a song. She brought it to life. And with every note, she exposed the old sage living inside her young body.”
When Naya sang, you could feel her soul resonating through your own.
He added: “As an actress, Naya could tell a whole story with one expression. It didn’t matter how outrageous the plot was, she spoke with so much authenticity, she made you believe every word she said, and often, you’d forget she was acting at all.
“Her heroic and groundbreaking portrayal of Santana Lopez on Glee inspired millions of young people around the world, especially in the LGBTQIA community, and it will be treasured for generations to come.”
Heather Morris vows to ‘enjoy life’ in memory of Naya Rivera
Meanwhile, Heather Morris — who played Rivera’s on-screen love interest Brittany S Pierce — shared a message on Instagram alongside a haunting dance set to one of the late star’s songs.
She wrote: “I want to share something very personal with you all…
“Grieving looks very differently on everyone…but one things for certain: I’ve felt it’s hard to feel joy or keep busy when mourning without thinking that you’re not honouring that person or you’re forgetting about them.
She added that her husband had reminded her “that honouring someone can mean you’re enjoying your life FOR them”.
“I made it to 1 million followers in these last few weeks and at first I was resentful because I gained them from a tragedy, but after giving it a breath.. I realised you all have just surrounded me with love and support. That I just see you angels wrapping your wings around me,” she continued.
“So I’m celebrating 1 million today in a tribute to @nayarivera with her music and her voice that will forever be my favourite.”
Other co-stars have flocked to pay tribute to Rivera, who is the third member of the Glee cast to die young following the deaths of Corey Monteith in 2013 and Mark Salling in 2018.
