On Thursday, August 27, 2020, Amber Riley (under her stage name, Riley) will perform Jimmy Kimmel Live. She sang in honor of her former Glee co-star, Naya Rivera, who died in July. Here’s a look at her friendship and what Riley dedicated to her late boyfriend.
Amber Riley and Naya Rivera starred in ‘Glee’
Riley and Rivera were two of the original stars of Glee. See portraits of Mercedes Jones and Santana Lopez respectively. Both remained in some capacities throughout the series throughout the entire six-season run, each described in almost every episode of the 121 that make up the show’s six-season run.
After the series came to an end, Riley competed Dance with the stars, won Season 17. In the years that followed, she continued to perform, appearing in live TV productions of The Wiz en The little Mermaid. Rivera, meanwhile, wrote a tell-all book, Sorry not sorry. She also starred in the drama series Step up.
They remained friends after the series ended
Riley and Rivera were friends on screen and off. Although their careers did not cross paths again, they remained in touch thereafter Glee ended in 2013, often interacting on social media. That when Rivera went missing in July 2020, Riley was among those who kept fans informed about the search.
“Show some respect,” Riley wrote Twitter. “All of our energy goes into helping Naya find and pray for her safe return and for her family. No one owes anyone online a performance of grief. This is very real and devastating. Focus on Naya and her family. Not us. We do not act now. ”
Riley paid a meaningful tribute to Rivera
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After a few days, Rivera’s body was found. Riley then shared photos and videos on social media. She followed this up with a long Instagram tribute and slideshow. “Miss your girl and I love you,” she wrote. “I’m so crazy the world will never see how high you would have been.”
“There was never competition, like shadow, like intimidation with us,” Riley continued. “Just pure worship and mutual respect.” She added, “I cried until my tear ducts dried up, now is the time to celebrate the fact that we humans only encountered an earth angel walking through life.”
Riley’s performance
For on Jimmy Kimmel Live broadcast, Riley announced her upcoming tribute. Colleague Glee cast members like Chord Overstreet (Sam Evans) and Kevin McHale (Artie Abrams) reached out on social media to tell them they would be watching, like many fans.
Riley performed an original song in her touching tribute to the show, after she was introduced by guest host Lil Rey Howery. While she was singing, photos of Rivera through her entire life appeared on a screen behind her. “I’m getting any kind of pain,” Riley sang and ended her performance by looking back at her recently deceased friend.
