Entertainment
Naya Rivera’s dad addresses speculation over daughter Nickayla’s relationship with Ryan Dorsey
Naya Rivera’s dad has spoken out over the speculation regarding daughter Nickayla’s bond with the Glee star’s ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey.
The actress, who played Santana Lopez in the musical drama, tragically died last year, after going missing on a boating trip with son Josey, in Lake Piru.
Shortly after her death, her sister moved in with her former partner, to help out with the youngster – and was later forced to defend the move.
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of her death, her dad, George Rivera has opened up about their loss, and addressed the rumours surrounding his family.
‘I’m used to paparazzi, not me myself, but I’m used to hearing about the paparazzi,’ he told Entertainment Tonight.
‘I’m used to hearing about people’s opinions and if you’re going to sit and let any people’s opinions guide any kind of decisions for you, I don’t know if you’ve got the inner strength to either be in the business or do something right, so that didn’t bother me at all because we knew we were doing the right thing, and that’s what we did.
‘You learn a lot about people and you learn a lot about relationships when you go through something like this and I couldn’t thank Ryan enough for the father he has become.
‘I have always had respect for Ryan. I have always thought that he was a stand-up guy and my opinion is … I’m just more proud of him now than I ever would have been through this period.’
George also heaped praise on Nickayla for her actions, describing her as an ‘amazing individual’.
‘Again, we talk about pride as a father, really, it’s not about modelling, it’s not about acting … it’s about what type of person you are,’ he added. ‘That’s what it shows me, what type of person she is – very strong and resilient, right, that’s what you have to be. You have to understand, we have to overcome some things, do the best you can with what you have.’
Rivera went missing on July 8 last year during a day out on Lake Piru with son Josey – who was later found alone on their boat.
The alarm was raised and police officials launched a huge search of the area, with her body found by authorities five days later.
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