Following the devastating news on Monday (July 13) that Naya Rivera has been declared dead, a number of her Glee co-stars have taken to social media to remember her vibrant, quick-witted presence.
Darren Criss, who played the charming Warbler Blaine Anderson, shared a string of thoughts in honor of his late co-star.
“She was bold. She was outrageous. She was a LOT of fun,” he tweeted. “Naya made me laugh like no one else on that set. I always said it while we were working together and I’ve maintained it ever since. Her playful, wicked sense of humor never ceased to bring a smile to my face.”
“She played by her own rules and was in a class of her own,” he continued. “She had a brashness about her that I couldn’t help but be enchanted by. I also always loved her voice, and savored every chance I got to hear her sing. I think she had more talent than we would have ever been able to see.”
“And even as I sit here, struggling to comprehend, gutted beyond description- the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face,” Criss concluded. “That was Naya’s gift. And it’s a gift that will never go away. Rest in peace you wild, hilarious, beautiful angel.”
Rivera was deemed dead days after the actress went missing while boating in Lake Piru, California, with her 4-year-old son, Josey. The sheriff’s tweeted earlier in the day that a body had been found. At a press conference, authorities said they were confident the body was Rivera’s and noted they did not suspect foul play nor suicide.
See Criss’ full string of tweets below.
She played by her own rules and was in a class of her own. She had a brashness about her that I couldn’t help but be enchanted by. I also always loved her voice, and savored every chance I got to hear her sing. I think she had more talent than we would have ever been able to see.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
I was constantly moved by the degree to which she took care of her family, and how she looked out for her friends. She showed up for me on numerous occasions where she didn’t have to, and I was always so grateful for her friendship then, as I certainly am now.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
And even as I sit here, struggling to comprehend, gutted beyond description- the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face. That was Naya’s gift.
And it’s a gift that will never go away.Rest in peace you wild, hilarious, beautiful angel.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
