Naya Rivera received a moving tribute from her friend and former “Glee” co-star Heather Morris.
Rivera was pronounced dead at age 33 on July 13 after disappearing on July 8 during an afternoon at Lake Piru in California with her 4-year-old son Josey.
Forensic doctors confirmed that the cause of death was accidental drowning. Josey is “in good health,” authorities previously confirmed.
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Rivera and Morris starred opposite each other during the six seasons of “Glee” as Santana López and Brittany Pierce, respectively. The characters were best friends and love interests.
To pay tribute to her late friend, Morris, 33, she visited Instagram on Wednesday to share several photos of the young Josey playing with her own children Elijah, 6, and Owen, 4.
“We started out as the closest friends and then, like all new things, we went through a rocky phase,” Morris began in the long subtitle. However, we stayed side by side and created the most beautiful friendship built with love and understanding. “
Then the actress recounted the last time she “had a chance” to see Rivera in person: to leave oranges outside her home.
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“I wanted to greet you through the window, but my phone didn’t ring when you called … so you and Josey left two succulents at the door as thanks,” he recalled. “I planted those succulents and I look at them every day [sic.] and I think of you. “
Morris also said he still listens to Rivera’s unreleased music, noting that “he always wished the world knew more than [Rivera’s] voice.”
Heather Morris (left) and Naya Rivera in ‘Glee’.
(FOX)
“You sent me over 5 dozen SnapChat videos when you and Josey woke up in the morning and I realized I didn’t save one of them. You always shared recipes and I admired your love of food,” he continued. “We promised to spend all of Easter together, even though Covid stole this one from us. You are and always will be the strongest and most resilient human being I know, and I promised to carry that with me as I continue to live my life.” “
Morris recalled that Rivera taught her “lessons about pain, about beauty and balance, about being strong, resilient, and about not giving an f (but somehow respectful).”
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However, the actress said the most important lesson her late friend taught her “was to be a constant and loving friend.”
“You were the first to register, the first to ask questions, the first to listen,” Morris recalled. “You appreciated our friendship and I never took that for granted.”
Naya Rivera (left) and Heather Morris arrive at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 16, 2011 (Photo by Trae Patton / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
The two had a relationship that “meant more than a test,” Morris said, and between that and their shared disdain for taking photos, they have very few together.
“I have countless photos of our babies playing, because we share that kind of pride and joy,” he continued. “So I show the world a picture of our little balls [sic.] for you because I know that meant more than anything and they remind me of you and me. I talk to you every day [sic.] because I know that you are still with me and although I am greedy that we don’t spend more time together, I appreciate every moment we have and keep it close to my heart. “
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A handful of other former “Glee” stars showed love by leaving heart emojis in the comments. Jenna Ushkowitz, Jacob Artist, Becca Tobin and Dot-Marie Jones were among those who left a comment.
“Beautiful,” wrote Amber Riley, adding a purple heart emoji.
“I love you my friend!” Matthew Morrison said. “I hope you are doing well.”
