News | Entertainment
7 Jul 2025 13:08
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    The 'Glee' cast paid tribute to the late Naya Rivera during a special segment at the 2021 GLAAD Media Awards

    Demi Lovato began by hailing Naya's character, Santana Lopez, for being "ground-breaking for closeted queer girls", like herself back then


    The 28-year-old star played Naya's on-screen girlfriend, Dani, briefly on the show.

    She began: "I don't have to tell you that this year was a tough, tough year.

    "A particular moment of heartbreak stands out for me: losing my friend Naya Rivera. I will always cherish the chance I got to play Naya's girlfriend Dani on 'Glee'.

    "The character Naya played, Santana Lopez, was ground-breaking for closeted queer girls, like I was at the time, and her ambition and accomplishments inspire Latina women all over the world.

    "That's the power of a show like 'Glee'. And LGBTQ youth, you have power, too."

    The 'Sorry Not Sorry' singer then called on the LGBTQ community to use their "power" to achieve even more when it comes to equality in the next decade.

    She said: "Let's use our power to move the Equality Act forward. It's been 10 years since Santana Lopez came out; look at what LGBTQ teens have done in a decade. Imagine what they can do in the next one."

    Cast members including Jane Lynch, Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Jenna Ushkowitz and Matthew Morrison also appeared via Zoom to share their memories of Naya - who passed away in 2020 at the age of 33 after she was involved in an accidental drowning in a lake in Ventura County, California.

    Jane, who played cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on the hit FOX musical series, recalled being blow away by Naya's acting for the first time.

    She shared: "I remember when Naya became a regular cast member.

    "She was a dancer, and I always thought she was cute and she was a great dancer. And then Ryan [Murphy, the creator of 'Glee'] started giving her lines, and I was like, 'Wow. This girl is really something.'"

    The segment wrapped with the cast sharing a message from Naya's mother, Yolanda Previtire, in which she shared how important it was for her daughter to speak up for those who were silenced.

    Her note read: "Her desire was always to be an advocate for those who did not have a voice.

    "I don't believe she realised how important she was to this world. I am grateful that my eldest daughter helped to change the landscape of how we view and see each other."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     07 Jul: Michael Madsen has died
     07 Jul: Yungblud says pansexual is "the label that allows me to be who I am"
     07 Jul: Amal Clooney has praised her husband George Clooney for being "so supportive"
     07 Jul: Allison Williams was "devastated" after one of her Girls storylines got scrapped
     07 Jul: Ariana Madix is constantly seeking "inspo" for her Love Island USA looks
     07 Jul: Jessica Simpson has treated fans to a rare insight into her "heart of gold" son Ace's life as she marked his 12th birthday
     07 Jul: Keanu Reeves is thrilled to be fronting another Formula 1 docuseries - after he bagged an Emmy for a recent show on the motor racing event
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A fuel saving two-stop gamble has paid off for Scott Dixon More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Nicola Willis is encouraging Kiwis to join the FamilyBoost scheme - with changes from this month to capture people who've been missing out More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    Nicola Willis is encouraging Kiwis to join the FamilyBoost scheme - with changes from this month to capture people who've been missing out 12:37

    Entertainment:
    Michael Madsen has died 12:36

    Golf:
    Golfer Daniel Hillier will feature at The Open Championship major next week at the Royal Portrush course in Northern Ireland, courtesy of his European Tour ranking 12:27

    Motoring:
    Shane van Gisbergen's secured another victory at a disrupted Nascar street race in Chicago, matching his feat on debut in 2023 12:07

    Entertainment:
    Yungblud says pansexual is "the label that allows me to be who I am" 12:06

    Politics:
    The Police Commissioner says urgent action must be taken to prevent staff accessing inappropriate or harmful content 11:57

    Entertainment:
    Amal Clooney has praised her husband George Clooney for being "so supportive" 11:36

    Entertainment:
    Allison Williams was "devastated" after one of her Girls storylines got scrapped 11:06

    Entertainment:
    Ariana Madix is constantly seeking "inspo" for her Love Island USA looks 10:36

    Business:
    The Government's expanding the its FamilyBoost scheme, with changes taking effect retrospectively from the start of this month 10:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd