Telly 12th April 2021 by Adele Miner

WATCH: The Cast Of Glee Reunite For A Special Tribute To Naya Rivera

"Her ambition and accomplishments inspired Latina women all over the world."

The cast of Glee has reunited to honor the memory of Naya Rivera who tragically passed away last year.

It was a virtual reunion for the cast, as they came together during the GLAAD Media Awards, a show that Naya herself hosted on two occasions. The tribute was led by Demi Lovato who played Nayas’s on-screen girlfriend in the series Glee. Speaking about the tough year we have all endured, Demi said that for her, losing Naya is one particular heartbreak she won’t forget in 2020.

“I don’t have to tell you that this year was a tough, tough year,” Demi began.

“A particular moment of heartbreak stands out for me: losing my friend Naya Rivera. I will always cherish the chance I got to play Naya’s girlfriend, Dani, on ‘Glee.”

Demi was then joined virtually by many much-loved members of the Glee cast, with them all paying tribute to Naya and what her character Santana did for the LGBTQ+ community.

“The character Naya played, Santana Lopez, was ground-breaking for closeted queer girls — like I was at the time,” Demi added.

“And her ambition and accomplishments inspired Latina women all over the world.”

It’s been 10 years since Naya’s character Santana Lopez came out on the hugely popular show. Although Naya’s mother Yolanda couldn’t make the tribute in person the cast issued a statement on her behalf in which she shares how happy Naya was to play an LGBTQ+ character.

“When Naya was told that Santana would be a lesbian she called me to let me know and I asked her how did she feel about that and she said ‘I feel great about it”

“I am grateful that my eldest daughter helped to change the landscape of how we view and see each other.”

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