News | Entertainment
11 Jul 2025 21:11
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

    Demi Lovato has paid a heartfelt tribute to Naya Rivera, praising her "ground-breaking" character on 'Glee'

    The singer-and-actress, who played Naya's character Santana Lopez's girlfriend Dani in the fifth season of the musical comedy-drama series, admitted she will "forever cherish" the opportunity to have portrayed her on-screen lover, after the actress died aged 33 this week


    Naya's body was found on Monday (13.07.20) following a six-day search operation after she went missing on Lake Piru, California, while out on a boat with her four-year-old son Josey.

    Demi wrote on Instagram: "RIP Naya Rivera. I'll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee."

    The 27-year-old star - who is bisexual - also admitted Naya's character Santana had a huge impact on "closeted queer girls" like her.

    She wrote: "The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted queer girls (like me at the time) and open queer girls, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world. My heart goes out to your loved ones at this time. (sic)"

    Demi was a recurring guest star in the fifth series of 'Glee', during which she played New York-based artist Dani who became friends with Santana - and embarked on a short romance with her - and she also befriended Lea Michele's character Rachel Berry.

    Police confirmed on Monday that Naya's body had been found in the lake, and an autopsy is to be held to determine the cause of her death.

    A tweet on the Ventura County Sheriff's official Twitter account read: "Sheriff Ayub has confirmed the body recovered at Lake Piru today was Naya Rivera.

    "Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans during this difficult time. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of her death."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     11 Jul: The Mavericks frontman Raul Malo fears he could be deported from the US despite being born in Florida
     11 Jul: Lena Dunham enjoyed a creative reawakening after moving to London
     11 Jul: Jesse Tyler Ferguson received criticism from the gay community for his role on Modern Family
     11 Jul: Kesha has cancelled a concert in Dallas, Texas after the state was devastated by flash floods
     11 Jul: Yungblud gifted a custom cross to Ozzy Osbourne before Black Sabbath's farewell concert
     11 Jul: Sigrid is trying to not take herself "too seriously"
     11 Jul: Jared Harris had his stomach pumped after accidentally drinking paraffin
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A simple game plan for the All Blacks in tomorrow's second test against France More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A limited number of New World club card accounts have been the target of a cyber attack More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Donald Trump says US will impose 35pc tariff on Canadian goods 21:07

    Entertainment:
    The Mavericks frontman Raul Malo fears he could be deported from the US despite being born in Florida 21:00

    Entertainment:
    Lena Dunham enjoyed a creative reawakening after moving to London 20:30

    Entertainment:
    Jesse Tyler Ferguson received criticism from the gay community for his role on Modern Family 20:00

    Entertainment:
    Kesha has cancelled a concert in Dallas, Texas after the state was devastated by flash floods 19:30

    Golf:
    Dame Lydia Ko is enjoying having some Kiwi company on the LPGA Tour 19:07

    Entertainment:
    Yungblud gifted a custom cross to Ozzy Osbourne before Black Sabbath's farewell concert 19:00

    Business:
    A limited number of New World club card accounts have been the target of a cyber attack 18:57

    Rugby:
    A simple game plan for the All Blacks in tomorrow's second test against France 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Sigrid is trying to not take herself "too seriously" 18:30


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd