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Amber Riley To Perform Tribute To Late ‘Glee’ Costar Naya Rivera on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

It’s going to be an emotional night

A little over a month after the actress’ death, Amber Riley is getting ready to perform a tribute to former Glee star Naya Rivera on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Riley made the announcement on Instagram, posting a photo of herself with text that reads, “Catch Riley tribute performance to Naya Rivera on Jimmy Kimmel Live! August 27th.” In her caption, she also let fans know that a “special announcement will also be made on Kimmel! So stay tuned.”

Both stars acted alongside each other on Glee for six seasons, so it’s only right the actress pay tribute to her costar through music after working together for such a long time.

“Our queen is singing for our other queen,” another former Glee costar, Kevin McHale, tweeted on Wednesday to show support. “Thankful for @MsAmberPRiley always. She’s the strongest. Can’t wait to watch.”


This upcoming talk-show tribute is just the most recent way Riley is making sure her friend is remembered following the drowning accident that took her life in July.

“Miss you baby girl and I love you #NayaRivera,” Riley wrote on Instagram on July 23, two weeks after Rivera’s death. “I’m so mad the world will never see how high you could have soared. Her brain was brilliant. She was smart and as quick as a whip. Always had me in stitches, we would be in tears laughing so hard at one another.”

“There was never competition, or shade, or intimidation with us,” she continued. “Just pure adoration and mutual respect. You deserved better. You were so much more than just this show. Your talent outshined us all so many times!”

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Best duets on the show! PERIODT! Couldn’t tell us shxt 😂 Honorable mention, Troubletones, @heatherrelizabethh and @littlelengies 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 miss you baby girl and I love you #NayaRivera I’m so mad the world will never see how high you could have soared. Her brain was brilliant. She was smart and as quick as a whip. Always had me in stitches, we would be in tears laughing so hard at one another. - There was never competition, or shade, or intimidation with us. Just pure adoration and mutual respect. You deserved better. You were so much more than just this show. Your talent outshined us all so many times! - Favorite Naya Moment: tour bus to London, Naya greasing her scalp with Doo Gro oil, a plastic cap and a silk bonnet 😂 my sister said “oh Naya you blackity black black” we burst out into laughter! We needed it too because we just wanted to get home to our families. We were alike in that way. We love hard, and protect our own, and we don’t take no shit from anyone (Kevin is literally the byproduct of US 😂) We can either slice you with our words, or bring you comfort with that same breath. Dealer’s choice. I say your name everyday and hold you in my heart, just like I do Cory. - We are working as a cast and crew and a family to come together and show love, and it’s all because of you. Your presence brought so much excitement, so much passion, so much joy, and in your absence you’re STILL holding us accountable and getting us together. I’ve cried until my tear ducts have dried out, now it’s time to celebrate the fact that us mere humans got to experience walking through life with an earth angel. Rest well. I pray you found the peace we all are searching for. - Please keep Naya’s family in your prayers. Please be mindful of the things you say to them or messages you send. If it’s anything beyond condolences and words of encouragement, keep it to yourself. All they need is love and good energy and support right now. We clear? Cool. Thank you 🙏🏾

A post shared by Amber Riley (@msamberpriley) on


Naya Rivera was pronounced dead on July 13, five days after she went missing at Lake Piru in California, where she had rented a pontoon boat with her 4-year-old son, Josey.

The 33-year-old actress was first reported missing on July 8 when her son--who she shares with her ex-husband Ryan Dorsey--was found sleeping alone on the boat. There was an extra life vest found on board along with Rivera’s ID.

“We know from speaking with her son that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department told reporters last month. “It was during that time that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya who boosted him onto the deck from behind. He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water.”

You can catch Amber Riley’s tribute to Naya Rivera on Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight at 11:35 pm.

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