Naya Rivera

Naya Marie Rivera (January 12, 1987 – July 8, 2020) was an American actress, model and singer. She was known for her role as Santana Lopez on the Fox television series Glee (2009–15).

She died on July 8, 2020 at the age of 33 in Lake Piru in Fillmore, California. Her body was not found until July 13. Police said that she had probably drowned in the lake.

Career
As a baby, she appeared in Kmart commercials before she began acting.

Her career began with her debut role as Hillary Winston on the short-lived CBS sitcom The Royal Family at the age of 4 (1991–1992). She appeared in minor roles as a teenager in 2000s television programs. She later became well known for his role as Santana Lopez on the Fox television series Glee (2009–2015).

Rivera was signed to Columbia Records as a solo artist in 2011 and released a single in 2013, "Sorry", featuring rapper Big Sean.

Rivera made her feature movie debut as Vera in the horror movie At the Devil's Door (2014), and recurred as Blanca on the third season of the Lifetime television series Devious Maids in 2015.

In 2016, she published a memoir with TarcherPerigee, Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up.

In 2018, it was announced that she would be taking the role of school administrator Collette Jones in the YouTube Red series Step Up: High Water.

Personal life
Rivera was born in Santa Clarita, California. She was raised in Los Angeles.

From 2014 to 2018, she was married to Ryan Dorsey. The two divorced. She was also in a relationship with Big Sean from 2013 to 2014. They were briefly engaged.

Rivera dedicated her time to many charitable organizations including GLAAD, Stand Up to Cancer, The Trevor Project, The Elephant Project, and The Sunshine Foundation.

She was bisexual.

Legal troubles
In late November 2017, Rivera was arrested and charged in Kanawha County, West Virginia with domestic battery against her future ex-husband Dorsey after she allegedly hit him in the head and face. In January 2018, the domestic battery charge was dismissed at the request of Dorsey.

Filmography
+TelevisionYearTitleRoleNotes1991–1992The Royal FamilyHillary WilsonMain role; 15 episodes1992–1993Family MattersGwendolynRecurring role (season 4); 3 episodes1993The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirCindyEpisode: "Bundle of Joy" (Season 3, episode 16)1995Live ShotAnnEpisode: "Another Day, Another Story" (Season 1, episode 2)1996BaywatchWillaEpisode: "Scorcher" (Season 7, episode 5)1997–1999Smart GuyTanyaEpisodes: "Baby, It's You and You and You" (Season 1, episode 7); "Never Too Young" (Season 3, episode 22)2002Even StevensCharleneEpisode: "Short Story" (Season 3, episode 9)2002–2006The Bernie Mac ShowDonnaRecurring role; 11 episodes2003Soul FoodLaurynEpisodes: "Truth Consequences" (Season 4, episode 4); "Nobody's Child" (Season 4, episode 9)20048 Simple RulesNice girlEpisode: "Halloween" (Season 3, episode 6)2008GirlfriendsKarinEpisode: "Stand and Deliver" (Season 8, episode 13)CSI: MiamiRachel CalvadoEpisode: "Power Trip" (Season 7, episode 9)2009–2015GleeSantana LopezMain role (seasons 2–5); recurring role (seasons 1, 6); 99 episodes - also performer2015Devious MaidsBlanca AlvarezRecurring role (season 3); 5 episodes2016American Dad!Lolo Fuentes (voice)Episode: "The Unincludeds" (Season 11, episode 11)2018–2019Step Up: High WaterCollette JonesMain role (seasons 1–2); 20 episodes

+FilmsYearTitleRoleNotes2002The Master of DisguiseCaptain America KidCameo appearance2009FrankenhoodHottieCameo appearance2011Glee: The 3D Concert MovieSantana LopezConcert film2013The Naughty ListSparkle (voice)English dub2014At the Devil's DoorVeraFeature film debut2017Mad FamiliesFelipa Jonas

Disappearance and death
On July 8, 2020, Rivera became a missing person after her four-year-old son was found alone in Rivera's rented boat at Lake Piru in Fillmore, California. The following day, Ventura County sheriff's department said that Rivera most likely drowned and died.

On July 13, 2020, a body was found. The sheriff of Ventura County said in a press conference that the body found was most likely Rivera. Rivera was 33 years old.

References

Other websites



Category:1987 births
Category:Models from Los Angeles
Category:American movie actors
Category:American television actors
Category:American voice actors
Category:American child actors
Category:American pop singers
Category:American R&B singers
Category:Accidental deaths by drowning in the United States
Category:American autobiographers
Category:LGBT models
Category:LGBT actors
Category:LGBT singers
Category:American LGBT writers
Category:Bisexual people
Category:LGBT people from Los Angeles
Category:Writers from Los Angeles
Category:Actors from Los Angeles
Category:Singers from Los Angeles
Category:2020 deaths