Demi Lovato has praised Naya Rivera for her “groundbreaking” impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
The singer posted a touching tribute to the Glee actress, after she was found dead on Monday – five days after she went missing on Lake Piru in California.
Demi previously guest starred as the girlfriend of Naya’s character Santana Lopez, and appeared in four episodes of Glee between 2013-2014.
Posting photos of her and Naya on Instagram, Demi wrote: “RIP Naya Rivera. I’ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee.”
“The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted queer girls (like me at the time) and open queer girls, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world,” she continued.
“My heart goes out to your loved ones at this time.”
The news comes after Demi asked fans to “pray” for Naya to be found “safe and sound”, after she went missing last Wednesday.
The actress was declared missing after her four-year-old son Josey was found alone on a rented pontoon boat in the middle of the lake.
Officials believe Naya and Josey were swimming in the lake when they got caught in a current.
During a press conference on Monday, the authorities said they believe Naya mustered up enough energy to get her son back on the boat, but sadly she couldn’t save herself.
Not long before Naya’s body was found on Monday morning, a host of her Glee co-stars had gathered at the lake to pray for her.
In a poignant image shared on social media, the stars joined members of Naya’s family as they held hands at the edge of the lake.
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