Glee Cast Mourns Naya Rivera: 'Her Beauty And Talent Were Otherworldly'

Glee's Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer are among those mourning the death of their onetime co-star Naya Rivera, who died in a tragic drowning accident on July 8.

"Rest sweet, Naya," Lynch tweeted. "What a force you were. Love and peace to your family."

"Her brilliance and humor were unmatched," Colfer added on Instagram. "Her beauty and talent were otherworldly. She spoke truth to power with poise and fearlessness. She could turn a bad day into a great day with a single remark. She inspired and uplifted people without even trying. Being close to her was both a badge of honor and a suit of armor. Naya was truly one of a kind, and she always will be."

Rivera was first reported missing last Wednesday after renting a boat on California's Lake Piru to go swimming with her four-year-old son Josey. The boy was found alone in the boat, with no sign of Rivera, and a six-day search ensued. Her body was recovered on Monday.

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After Glee went off the air in 2015, Rivera played housemaid Blanca Alvarez on Lifetime's Devious Maids, along with a guest voice role on American Dad! and a guest judge appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race. She also recurred on the YouTube dance series Step Up: High Water and was set to star in the show's upcoming third season after it was revived by Starz.

Scroll down for additional tributes, which will be added as they come in...

She played by her own rules and was in a class of her own. She had a brashness about her that I couldn't help but be enchanted by. I also always loved her voice, and savored every chance I got to hear her sing. I think she had more talent than we would have ever been able to see.

— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020

And even as I sit here, struggling to comprehend, gutted beyond description- the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face. That was Naya's gift.
And it's a gift that will never go away.

Rest in peace you wild, hilarious, beautiful angel.

— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020

Naya Rivera was hilarious. She lit up the set. She was the definition of cool. pic.twitter.com/lDZAbtt6P9

— Mike O'Malley (@TheMikeOMalley) July 14, 2020

Thank you @druidDUDE for sharing this. Take a moment to celebrate this beautiful talent. @NayaRivera 💕 https://t.co/LRMH9ty4DL

— Jessalyn Gilsig (@JessalynGilsig) July 14, 2020

💔

— iqbal theba (@iqbaltheba) July 13, 2020

💔 Naya, you will be missed so much. 😞

— Josh Sussman (@JoshSussman) July 13, 2020

💔😭😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭

— Max Adler (@Mr_Max_Adler) July 13, 2020

So much grief today. Grateful for our love and connection. Holding everyone tight. Family for lifetimes.

— VANESSA LENGIES (@littlelengies) July 13, 2020