Fleetwood Mac pay heartfelt tribute to Naya Rivera and her soul-stirring ‘Songbird’ Glee performance
Naya Rivera performing “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac on Glee (YouTube)
Fleetwood Mac have reflected on the powerful moment Naya Rivera performed “Songbird” on Glee following her tragic death earlier this month.
Rivera, who played Santana Lopez on the hit musical television series, died on July 8 in Lake Piru, Southern California, when she went swimming with her son. She was 33 years old.
Many have been reflecting on Rivera’s star-making six-season run on Glee, and legendary band Fleetwood Mac are the latest to weigh in on her incredible talent.
The band shared Rivera’s Glee performance of their hit “Songbird” on Facebook and delivered a heartfelt tribute to the actor.
Fleetwood Mac said they were ‘so saddened’ by Naya Rivera’s death.
“We were so saddened to hear about the death of Naya Rivera,” the band wrote.
“She was such a talent, and her character on Glee gave a voice to so many.”
She was such a talent, and her character on Glee gave a voice to so many.
Fleetwood Mac praised her performance of “Songbird” as “beautiful”.
“We’re sending love to her family and friends,” they added.
The song first appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album Rumours and was written by British singer Christine McVie.
It has become one of the band’s most-loved songs in the years since it was released, and was introduced to a legion of young fans when Rivera performed it on Glee.
In the emotive performance, Rivera’s character Santana sang the song to her on-screen love interest Brittany.
The Glee star died earlier this month following an accident in Lake Piru.
Naya Rivera’s body was recovered from Lake Piru after a days-long search on July 13, after she vanished while swimming with her son.
Officials believe the boat may have began to drift while Rivera and her four-year-old were in the water. It’s thought the actor used her final burst of energy to get him to safety but was unable to save herself.
As news of her death was confirmed, tributes flooded in from her former castmates on Twitter and Instagram.
Demi Lovato, who played Rivera’s fifth-season love interest Dani on Glee, wrote: “RIP Naya Rivera. I’ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee.
“The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted (at the time) queer girls like me, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world.”
Amber Riley wrote: “My favourite duet partner. I love you. I miss you. I don’t have words right now, just lots of feelings. Rest in peace angel, and know that your family will never have to worry about anything.”
