On July 8th, Naya Rivera died in a tragic drowning accident, and her former Glee co-stars have since been paying tribute to keep Naya’s memory alive. Yesterday, August 27th, Amber Riley, who goes by the stage name Riley, performed an emotional song for her late friend during the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Concert Series.
Riley was introduced during the Concert Series by Jimmy Kimmel Live! guest host Lil Rel Howery, who was also friends with Rivera. “We both lost a really amazing friend in a tragic accident,” Howery said, “and we both will miss her forever.”
Riley sang A Moment, the new track she wrote in memory of her favorite duet partner, as she called Rivera on Instagram shortly after her passing.
“I love you. I miss you. I don’t have words right now, just lots of feelings,” Riley wrote in her July 14th post. “Rest In Peace Angel, and know that your family will never have to worry about anything.” Riley and Rivera performed many songs together during their time on Glee as Mercedes and Santana, respectively.
You can watch Riley’s tribute to her late friend on YouTube, below:
When rewatching her own tribute to Rivera, Riley tweeted that she couldn’t get through it without breaking down. “I didn’t make it 15 seconds before I was a puddle,” she wrote on August 28th. “I love you Naya.”
Friend and former Glee costar Kevin McHale also shared Riley’s touching tribute on Twitter. “A Moment for our girl,” he tweeted. “Thank you @MsAmberPRiley. We love and you and miss you every moment, Naya.”
Riley’s self-titled EP is dropping October 2nd, and until then we’ll be replaying and crying along to “A Moment.”
