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Watch the 'Glee' Cast Reunite to Pay Tribute to Naya Rivera (Video)

The cast of Glee reunited to pay tribute to late co-star Naya Rivera and you can watch the video right here!

16 members of the cast gathered on Zoom to talk about their favorite memories of Naya on the 10-year anniversary of her character Santana Lopez coming out as a lesbian on network TV. The reunion was part of the 2021 GLAAD Media Awards, which aired on Thursday (April 8).

Demi Lovato, who played Santana’s girlfriend Dani on Glee, opened the tribute. She said, “I will always cherish the chance I got to play Naya‘s girlfriend, Dani, on Glee. The character Naya played, Santana Lopez, was groundbreaking for closeted queer girls, like I was at the time. Her ambition and accomplishments inspired Latina women all over the world.”

The cast members who then participated in the reunion included Jacob Artist, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Jessalyn Gilsig, Dot-Marie Jones, Vanessa Lengies, Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Matthew Morrison, Alex Newell, Lauren Potter, Amber Riley, Harry Shum Jr., Becca Tobin, and Jenna Ushkowitz. Notably absent were Lea Michele and Dianna Agron.

Glee cast reunites to pay tribute to Naya Rivera

The reunion ended with Jessalyn reading a note written by Naya‘s mom.

Click inside to watch the video and to read the note… More Here! »

'Glee' Cast to Reunite to Honor Naya Rivera - See Who's Participating & Who Won't Be There

A Glee reunion is happening! Some of the cast members will participate in the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 8 as a tribute to the late Naya Rivera and her character Santana Lopez.

Those participating include Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Harry Shum Jr., Jenna Ushkowitz, Vanessa Lengies, Jacob Artist, Alex Newell, and Becca Tobin.

Lea Michele‘s name was not included in the Deadline press release, so it is assumed that she will not be participating. Ahead of Naya‘s tragic death, many stars spoke out about Lea‘s behavior on set. Lea is also a new mother.

Dianna Agron‘s name was also not included.

Naya tragically passed away at the age of 33 in a drowning accident in July of 2020.

The 2021 GLAAD Media Awards will be hosted by Niecy Nash. You’ll be able to stream the reunion on YouTube on April 8 at 8pm ET.

Jenna Ushkowitz Photo Gallery

Naya Rivera's 'Glee' Co-Stars Launch Fundraiser For Her Favorite Charity

Naya Rivera is being remembered by her Glee cast in a very special way this holiday season.

Heather Morris, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale and many more from the Glee cast have teamed up for the SNIXXMASs Charity Drive, which will benefit one of Naya‘s favorite charities, Alexandria House, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles that provides safe housing for women and children.

“If you were lucky enough to know Naya, you know she threw some epic parties,” the GoFundMe page reads about the fundraiser. “The best of them all was her annual Christmas party, which she dubbed Snixxmas. Snixxmas was like Naya herself… sparkling, fabulous and one hell of a good time! But it wasn’t only glitz, glamour and gay apparel. Every holiday season, Naya found ways to give back.”

It continues, “Recently, Naya began working with a local non-profit in Los Angeles called Alexandria House. She not only raised and contributed funds for them, but also volunteered her time and effort to the organization.”

Heather also added another note on her own Instagram page, writing that Naya “always inspired me because she never let a holiday season go by without giving back to those in need. We’re keeping Naya’s spirit alive this holiday season by raising funds for one of her favorite organizations, Alexandria House. Please, give what you can and help spread Snixxmas cheer.”

Naya sadly passed away earlier this year after accidentally drowning in Lake Piru in California during a weekend trip with her only son, Josey Dorsey.

Her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, just recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Get all the details here…

Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz Is Engaged To Boyfriend David Stanley!

Jenna Ushkowitz is engaged to longtime boyfriend David Stanley!

The former Glee actress revealed the happy news to her fans on Instagram and showed off her glitzy engagement ring.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Jenna Ushkowitz

“Yes, a million times, yes ✨,” she captioned the pic, where she and David are smiling big, alongside their French bulldog.

Jenna received a lot of congratulatory messages, including some from Ally Maki, Dianne Doan, Emmy Kinney, Kathryn Gallagher and many more.

The happy news for Jenna comes just after she mourned the tragic passing of her Glee co-star Naya Rivera.

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Yes, a million times, yes ✨

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Jenna Ushkowitz Remembers Naya Rivera After Her Death: 'I Miss You Already'

Jenna Ushkowitz is paying tribute to her friend and former co-star Naya Rivera, after her body was found following a five day search in Lake Piru in California.

The 34-year-old actress took to Instagram to express her sorrows.

“There are no words and yet so many things I want to say, I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to articulate exactly what I feel but… Naya, you were a ⚡️ force and everyone who got to be around you knew it and felt the light and joy you exuded when you walked into a room,” Jenna started. “You shined on stage and screen and radiated with love behind closed doors.”

She adds, “I was lucky enough to share so many laughs, martinis and secrets with you. I can not believe I took for granted that you’d always be here.”

“Our friendship went in waves as life happens and we grow, so I will not look back and regret but know I love you and promise to help the legacy of your talent, humor, light and loyalty live on,” Jenna continued. “You are so loved. You deserved the world and we will make sure Josey and your family feel that everyday. I miss you already.”

Many other Glee stars have spoken out about Naya‘s death, and even her Step Up: High Water cast as well.

Watch Naya and Jenna reminisce about the time they met Beyonce together below:

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Naya Rivera's Friends & Family Gather at Lake Piru in Heartbreaking Image

ABC7 Eyewitness News caught a heartbreaking moment featuring Naya Rivera‘s family and friends on site at Lake Piru in California just before it was announced that a body was found during the search for the missing Glee star.

It appeared as if Naya‘s loved ones gathered and stood hand-in-hand together, looking out on the large body of water where search and rescue divers are looking for the Glee star. She went missing on Wednesday (July 8) in the lake after going boating with her four-year-old son Josey. Josey told authorities that his mom never came back to the boat after swimming.

Fans think they identified Glee co-stars Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, and Jenna Ushkowitz as part of the group that were there to support during the search.

No further updates have been given by authorities and we are awaiting a press conference shortly. Naya‘s Glee co-stars have also been posting messages about her today after news that a body was found.

Our thoughts are with all of Naya Rivera‘s loved ones.

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Lea Michele & 'Glee' Stars Reminisce About Getting In Trouble While Filming the Pilot Episode

Lea Michele is the guest on her Glee co-stars Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz‘s podcast Showmance: Glee Recap Edition and they opened up about filming the pilot episode!

The three actors revealed that the young cast of the show once got in big trouble with series creator Ryan Murphy while filming the “Don’t Stop Believin’” scene. After the New Directions members finished their number, they had to perform it again while the camera was on Matthew Morrison to catch his reactions.

“We were futzing around so badly that when it was Matt Morrison‘s coverage to watch us and cry,” Jenna started to say before Lea chimed in and said, “That is the best story of the whole pilot.”

“We were dancing and we’re eye-line so the camera was not on us and he’s like dance for Matt so he can see you guys dance and we were like humping each other and all of a sudden, the voice of God, Ryan Murphy, comes in and he’s like, ‘Stop f–king around!’” Jenna said.

“He didn’t scream,” Lea said. “This is what happened. We worked so hard to learn ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ so finally we shot it, we did our coverage… And then we filmed it and our coverage was done and we were like, literally, ‘We Are the Champions’ started to play. So then they turn the camera around on Matt and we just think, ‘Now we can totally f–k around.’ And as Matt‘s watching us, we were legit humping each other and Ryan comes over and says in that deep voice, ‘Matthew Morrison has to produce tears right now. You have to do the number exactly how you did it.’”

“And I didn’t even think. Oh, of course, we should do our f–king jobs,” Lea added. Kevin chimed in and said, “I was so scared. I was like, ‘we’re all getting fired. I’m getting fired.’”

Lea said, “I do remember at first, I was like, this isn’t a big deal, and as we were doing the number, I was like, ‘Oh f–k. That was not good.’”

“It was a stern voice,” Lea said about how Ryan reacted. Kevin said, “And we shut up. We didn’t speak to each other. We just did it.”

“In my mind I was like, I just want to keep humping each other,” Lea jokingly added.

You can listen to the full podcast now!

READ MORE: Lea Michele Reveals This ‘Glee’ Scene with Cory Monteith Makes Her Emotional Now