Naya Rivera
Naya Rivera
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Naya Marie Rivera was born on January 29, 1987, in Valencia, California. She is often referred to as Naya Rivera by fans and the media.
Birth and Death Dates
January 29, 1987 – July 8, 2020 (aged 33)
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Actress, Singer, Dancer
Early Life and Background
Naya Rivera grew up in a creative household with her parents, Yolanda Previtire, a former model, and Angelo Pellegrini, an Italian-American actor. Her older brother, Michael Kaleb White, is also involved in the entertainment industry as a production assistant. Naya's early life was marked by a strong passion for performing arts, which she expressed through singing, acting, and dancing.
Major Accomplishments
Naya Rivera began her career as a child actress, landing roles on popular TV shows such as The Royal Family (1991) and Smart Guy (1997). Her breakthrough role came in 2003 when she was cast as Caitlin Sanchez's replacement as Ana Garcia on the Nickelodeon series Gigantic. However, her most notable role to date is undoubtedly as Santana Lopez on the hit TV show Glee, where she played a main character from 2009 to 2015.
In addition to her acting career, Naya was also a talented singer and dancer. She released an album titled Beautiful Thing in 2008, which featured her single "Mine" that same year.
Notable Works or Actions
During her time on Glee, Naya's character Santana Lopez became a fan favorite due to her sassy attitude and coming-out storyline. Her performance earned her numerous award nominations and wins, including an Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2011).
Some of her other notable works include:
The TV show Devious Maids (2013-2016), where she played Zoila Chandler
The Lifetime movie Stephanie Daley (2006)
* The Broadway musical Chicago, for which she received a Tony Award nomination in 2010
Impact and Legacy
Naya Rivera's impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable. Her portrayal of Santana Lopez helped pave the way for more LGBTQ+ representation on television, breaking down barriers and pushing boundaries for future generations.
Her commitment to using her platform for social justice and self-empowerment has inspired countless young people around the world. Off-screen, Naya was an advocate for mental health awareness, body positivity, and women's rights.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Naya Rivera's quotes are often cited due to their wit, candor, and insight into her experiences as a woman of color in Hollywood. Her legacy extends beyond the entertainment industry, serving as a beacon for those seeking self-expression, acceptance, and equality.
Quotes by Naya Rivera
I’d fallen back on my looks over and over because I didn’t think I had anything else to offer, but now I was starting to see that I was actually smart. Getting a graded paper on which the professor wrote “well written!” felt a million times better than getting a 25 percent tip because some d-bag got to ogle my butt when I dropped off his burger.
If I had a dollar for everytime my mother told me god had a plan I’d probably buy a new prada bag.
Mark and I went on to date for three years. During that time, we were either very much on or very much off, but he was my first real boyfriend.
I don’t trust people who claim to like everyone, because, really, how is that possible? If that is true, then you must not have any standards. If you care about your life, then there are going to be certain people you don’t want in it.
Honestly, I never thought I’d actually be playing a teen lesbian. I didn’t think it was going to go this far. But I’m glad that it did, because there have been a lot of fans who have expressed that they’ve been going through similar situations in their lives.
I watch Pretty Little Liars with my best friend Telly. We go to each other’s houses when it airs and we watch it.
It’s kind of cool – and it makes me feel like a badass. I get more girls than my boyfriend. They always tweet me about my booty.
Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well.
Music is one of my greatest loves. I don’t think I would be able to live without music in my life.