Looking Back on the Life and Legacy of Naya Rivera
This past week the Hollywood, Glee, and LGBTQ+ communities lost a shining light, the talented and selfless Naya Rivera. Naya and her four year old son rented a pontoon boat on Lake Piru, which is just north of Los Angeles on Wednesday July 8th. When the boat wasn’t returned on time, staff went looking and discovered Naya’s four year old son, Josey, asleep onboard, but no sign of Naya. Josey told authorities that she had helped him into the boat and when he looked back she was sinking under the water. Everyone who knew Naya knows how much being a mom meant to her. In an interview with People in 2016 she said, “I hope to instill good morals and values in [Josey]," Rivera added. "I want to teach him to be confident but kind, strong but not proud, and to always be in love with life." Until the very end Naya gave her strength, courage and life for her son. On July 13th, almost a week after she went missing, Naya’s body was found at Lake Piru, the medical examiner determined her cause of death to be accidental drowning.
Rivera has had numerous roles but is probably best known for her role as Santana Lopez on Glee. Santana was a flashy, sassy and breathtaking cheerleader. On a much deeper level she was also a voice for queer and questioning women, especially women of color, as Santana discovered herself and her sexuality on the show. One of the most iconic Santana lines is, “I love girls, the way I am supposed to feel about boys.” Numerous Glee stars reunited and gathered together at Lake Piru, standing at the edge of the water holding hands, in remembrance of their friend and colleague. The cast has been through it’s fair share of tragedies and heartbreak throughout the years. The day Naya’s body was found marked the seventh year anniversary of Cory Monteith’s death, Cory played Finn on Glee. The creators of Glee, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan penned a heartfelt note of tribute to Naya. They wrote; “Naya always made sure that Santana's love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength and with pure intentions. Naya was always moved by the girls who reached out to her to tell her how much Santana and Brittany's love affected them. Naya's obligation to them — and to all of her fans — was obvious. She had the rare combination of humility and endless confidence in her talent." The three men will be creating a college fund for Naya’s son Josey.
Naya is loved, missed and remembered by her beloved son, numerous friends, family and coworkers. As well as many fans' lives she has touched both on and off screen. In her short thirty three years of life she used her talent for good and made a difference in so many people’s lives. Her love, light, grace, and talent will be missed by all. Be encouraged by these fitting words that Naya shared on twitter some time ago, “No matter the year, circumstance, or strife everyday you’re alive is a blessing, Make the most of today and every day you are given. Tomorrow is not promised.”
Report: Rebecca Vanderkooi
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.