TV STAR

Who was Naya Rivera and who did she play in Glee?

NAYA Rivera was an actress who shot to stardom after she appeared on Glee from 2010-2015.

In July 2020, the 33-year-old was tragically found dead after a search mission was launched to find her body in a California lake.

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Naya Rivera played Santana in GleeCredit: Getty - Contributor

Who was Naya Rivera?

Originally a child star, the 33-year-old actress got her first big break in the US sit-com, The Royal Family.

Naya Rivera landed the role of Hilary Winston in the show at the age of four, starring opposite legendary actor and comic, Redd Foxx.

Her next big break didn't come until 2010 when she landed the role of the ice queen cheerleader, Santana Lopez, in Glee.

The Fox musical comedy and drama was an instant hit and shot the cast to worldwide fame.

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Who did Naya Rivera play in Glee?

Naya portrayed cheerleader Santana Lopez in Glee.

Santana was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan.

She was introduced alongside Quinn and Brittany as one of the three most popular cheerleaders at the William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio.

She joins the school's glee club, and soon is spying on it for Sue Sylvester, coach of the cheerleading team, the Cheerios.

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As the season continues, she becomes more sympathetic to other glee club members.

She has a number of romantic relationships, dating Puck, taking Finn Hudson's virginity, and carrying on a friends-with-benefits relationship with Brittany.

Santana's role flourished during the show's first season.

In the second season, Naya became a series regular, and Santana was given more high-profile storylines.

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One big line was the development of her romantic feelings for her best friend Brittany Pierce and the realization she is a lesbian.

Naya received widespread praise for her portrayal of Santana.

Naya Rivera shared a son with her ex-husband, Ryan DorseyCredit: Getty

How did Naya Rivera pass away?

On July 8, 2020, Naya Rivera was found dead five days after she went missing underwater during a lake trip with her son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, whom she shared with ex-husband Ryan Dorsey.

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The actress' body was discovered floating near the surface of California’s Lake Piru, which officials believe may have been tangled in plants and was therefore concealed from divers searching for her.

Rivera's little boy Josey told police his mum "boosted him onto the deck of their rental boat from behind" before he "saw her disappear under the surface of the water" after they went swimming.

Police say in her final moments, the Glee star acted desperately and "mustered enough energy to get her son back on the boat, but not enough to save herself."

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On September 29, 2020, it was reported that Naya's sister, Nickayla Rivera, had "moved in" with Ryan and Josey to help look after the child.

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The Ray Donovan star and Naya divorced in 2018 after she cited “irreconcilable differences” according to .

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