Glee's Darren Criss Mourns the Loss of Naya Rivera with Touching Words

Darren Criss is speaking out with a tribute for Naya Rivera after her shocking death.

The 33-year-old Glee actress, who won the hearts of fans with her work as Santana Lopez, was declared dead on Monday (July 13) after her body was discovered in California’s Lake Piru.

Darren opened up about Naya‘s immense talent, how she always made him laugh, and the way she took care of the ones she loved.

“She was bold. She was outrageous. She was a LOT of fun. Naya made me laugh like no one else on that set. I always said it while we were working together and I’ve maintained it ever since. Her playful, wicked sense of humor never ceased to bring a smile to my face,” Darren began in a thread on Twitter.

He continued, “She played by her own rules and was in a class of her own. She had a brashness about her that I couldn’t help but be enchanted by. I also always loved her voice, and savored every chance I got to hear her sing. I think she had more talent than we would have ever been able to see.”

“I was constantly moved by the degree to which she took care of her family, and how she looked out for her friends. She showed up for me on numerous occasions where she didn’t have to, and I was always so grateful for her friendship then, as I certainly am now,” Darren said.

“And even as I sit here, struggling to comprehend, gutted beyond description- the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face. That was Naya’s gift.
And it’s a gift that will never go away,” he concluded. “Rest in peace you wild, hilarious, beautiful angel.”

In his tribute to Naya, Glee‘s Kevin McHale talked about the plans that the two of them made just last week.