They played love interests on Glee and were close friends in real life.
And on Wednesday, Heather Morris posted a long and touching tribute to Naya Rivera who was found drowned in Lake Piru, California, on Monday.
Morris posted photos of her two young sons Elijah and Owen playing with Rivera’s son Josey to Instagram and in the caption spoke about the ‘beautiful friendship built out of love and understanding’ that she shared with her late co-star.
They played love interests on Glee and were close friends in real life. And on Wednesday, Heather Morris posted a long and touching tribute to Naya Rivera (pictured in 2010)
‘The last I had the chance to see you in person, I had left oranges outside our home for you to take. I wanted to say hi through the window but my phone didn’t ring when you called… so instead you and Josey left two succulents on our doorstep as a thank you,’ Morris, 33, wrote.
‘I planted those succulents and I look at them everyday and think of you.’
She went on: ‘You are and always will be the strongest and most resilient human being I know, and I vowed to carry that with me as I continue to live my life.’
Morris, 33, accompanied her Instagram post with photos of her sons Elijah, six, and Owen, four, playing with Rivera’s son Josey, four
‘I have countless pictures of our babies playing, because we shared that kind of pride and joy,’ she wrote. ‘They remind me of you and I’
‘You are and always will be the strongest and most resilient human being I know, and I vowed to carry that with me as I continue to live my life,’ Morris pledged to her late friend
Morris described Rivera as ‘a consistent and loving friend’ and that she had ‘cherished’ that friendship and always will.
‘I have countless pictures of our babies playing, because we shared that kind of pride and joy. So I’m showing the world a photo of our little goof balls for you, because I know that meant more than anything and they remind me of you and I,’ she explained.
‘I speak to you everyday because I know you’re still with me,’ she added.
Morris shares her sons aged six and four with her husband Taylor Hubbell whom she married in 2015.
Rivera was divorced from her four-year-old son’s father Ryan Dorsey.
Morris and Rivera met on the set of Glee in 2009 (pictured with Dianna Agron, right). Morris starred as Brittany who openly celebrated her bisexuality while Rivera played Santana, a closeted lesbian
The two characters embarked on a romance in season 2 of the popular TV show and in the finale for the sixth and final season, Brittany and Santana tied the knot in a joint wedding with Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss)
On Glee, Morris starred as Brittany who openly celebrated her bisexuality while Rivera played Santana, a closeted lesbian.
The two characters embarked on a romance in season 2 of the popular TV show that ran from 2009 to 2015.
Morris left the series after season 4 although she continued to return as a guest in seasons 5 and 6.
In the finale for the sixth and final season, Brittany and Santana tied the knot in a joint wedding with Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss).
Rivera had gone missing on July 8 during a boating trip with Josey at Lake Piru, north of Los Angeles. The boy was found alone but safe aboard the boat with no sign of his mother
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office released CCTV footage showing Rivera and her son arriving at the dock on Lake Piru. Her body was recovered from the water on Monday after a five-day search and an autopsy confirmed she died in an accidental drowning
Morris used her social media platform to ask for prayers for Rivera’s safe return and even spoke about putting a team together to help the local authorities search and rescue efforts. She’s seen at the lake on Monday as she joined castmembers and family to mourn Rivera’s death
Rivera had gone missing on July 8 during a boating trip with Josey at Lake Piru, north of Los Angeles. The four-year-old was found alone on a pontoon boat about three hours after the actress had rented it out but there was no sign of the Glee star.
On hearing the news, Morris used her social media platform to ask for prayers for Rivera’s safe return and even spoke about putting a team together to help the local authorities search and rescue efforts.
‘I understand your team is doing EVERYTHING in their power, but we are feeling helpless, powerless and want to help in any way,’ she tweeted to the Ventura County Sheriff on July 11.
On Monday, Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub confirmed that a body had been recovered from the lake and a subsequent autopsy confirmed that it was Rivera and that she had died in an accidental drowning.
Morris joined other Glee castmembers and Rivera’s family at the lake to grieve her friend.
Morris’ tribute in full as posted to her Instagram