The late Glee star’s mother, Yolanda Previtire, and sister Nickayla reflected on their life and legacy in an emotional interview with ABC News’ Juju Chang and Good Morning America.
“Sometimes we are afraid that the grief is so great that we are afraid for ourselves, because that is difficult. There are no words to describe what we are going through, ”Yolanda expressed her sadness. « All we know is that we have each other. »
July 8th marks the one-year anniversary of the death of the Glee actress at the age of 33. Naya went missing after a boat trip with her then four-year-old son Josey on Lake Piru, California. Her body was recovered five days later. Naya’s death was counted as accidental drowning. She was buried on July 24.
Yolanda recalled the last conversation she had with Naya and said they had a video call the morning she was missing.
“I missed two of her FaceTime calls and called her back. And we had a nice chat. The sun kissed her face and she was just beautiful. She was wearing a beautiful white swimsuit and she was beaming. ”Yolanda said, adding that she took screenshots of Josey fishing from the boat during the call. The photos would later help the search teams find their daughter.
« Thank goodness I took the pictures because they could look at the topography of the land to pinpoint where they were, » she said, noting also that she told Naya, « the water is getting choppy » and calling her when they got it off the boat.
When two detectives showed up at Yolanda’s house to tell her they found Josey alone on the boat and that Naya was missing, she said, “It was almost like a force. I don’t know what it was, but I was literally just pushed backwards. «
» I just ran backwards, if you can imagine, just screaming and ended up in the bathroom. I slammed the door, I lay open the ground and had to collect myself, « she recalls.
The family began to go into therapy to help with the tragic death, with Nickayla expressing how the family dealt with the trauma.
« To take that one day at a time and live it to the fullest, love each other to the fullest and have no regrets, » said Nickayla. « Because I know if we could go back we’d hug a little tighter. »
Yolanda also said she feels the « energy of her late daughter who keeps telling me, ‘Mom, be happy. Don’t cry. I’m fine. Get Josey. Have fun.’ And I have a feeling it’s coming from her. «
Meanwhile, Josey is being looked after by Nickayla and the five-year-old’s father, Ryan Dorsey. The family couldn’t help but be amazed at how much the little boy looked like his late mother.
« [He’s] such an open-minded boy, » said Nickayla, adding that « he doesn’t take anything from anyone – and… » Naya either. And the biggest thing is that he loves to entertain. He loves to sing with all his heart. «
As for Naya’s incredible legacy, she was best known for her queer Latinx character Santana Lopez on Glee.
« It was really great to hear the personal stories, » said Nickayla of her sister’s monumental role. “My sister, although acting, touched people’s real lives and helped them become what they really are, and was not ashamed of doing so. It was just amazing that she had that influence. «
Yolanda added that she hopes Naya’s legacy will teach people to love and care.
“I want my daughter Naya’s legacy to be one that teaches people to love and care. If something is wrong, try to fix it or speak up, ”she said. “And just to live life. God gave you a life. You are your own person. Love who you are, because you won’t get any other life. « Meanwhile, Naya’s younger brother Mychal, who was not present at the interview, said in a statement to GMA: » A year without you, a year closer if we see you again. Your endless energy lives on. Rest so gracious, Naya. «
Last month, ET sat down with Naya’s father, George, to discuss how becoming a mother changed his daughter.
» He really became all for her, « he said. » She really focused on him and he grew up when she became a mother, she really leaned into it, really leaned into it, and the word I want to use is maturity. She became very mature as a person and really receptive to the feelings of others. «
» I saw maturity in her after having a baby, before and after, a huge difference, « he added. See more in the video below.
Naya Rivera’s father on her last show of strength as a mother
Remembering Naya Rivera’s greatest ET moments a year after her death
Go behind the scenes of Naya Rivera’s final role as Catwoman
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