Three years after the tragic passing of the beloved Naya Rivera, her former Glee co-stars have come together to pay tribute to her enduring legacy with a special holiday song. The heartfelt tune, titled “Prayer for the Broken,” was recorded by the talented actress before her untimely death at the age of 33 in 2020 due to a drowning accident. Completed with the background vocals of her former co-stars, the proceeds from the song will be donated to one of Rivera’s favorite charities.
In a recent Instagram post shared on Kevin McHale’s account, who portrayed Artie on the hit Fox series, a group of former Glee stars, including Amber Riley, Heather Morris, and Ashley Fink, express their excitement for the song’s release.
The song’s release coincides with “Snixxmas,” an annual fundraiser held in Rivera’s honor. Over the past three years, the fundraiser has raised over $250,000 for Alexandria House, an organization in Los Angeles that provides safe housing for women and children experiencing homelessness and trauma.
“SNIXXMAS IS HERE & with a true Snixxmas miracle – an unreleased Naya Rivera song, ‘Prayer For The Broken (with Friends from Glee),'” McHale wrote on Instagram. He encouraged fans to stream the song and donate to the cause. “This year, let’s celebrate the gifts Naya gave to us, her talent and her heart. This song has meant so much to me over the years and now I hope it will for all of you.”
According to the fundraiser website, the previously unreleased song was first recorded by Rivera in 2012. It was completed with the blessings of the song’s original writers, Lindy Robbins and Isaac Hasson, as well as Naya’s mother, Yolanda Previtire.
“We hope that ‘Prayer For The Broken’ brings you the same comfort it has brought us over the years — a poignant reminder of Naya’s otherworldly talent and a heartfelt gift, allowing us to hear her once more through this inspiring message,” the fundraising page reads.
Since Rivera’s passing, her former co-stars have consistently honored her memory. This past summer, Heather Morris celebrated one of Rivera’s famous Glee moments during the SAG-AFTRA strike. The close friends frequently pay tribute to Rivera, with Morris referring to the actress as “her angel” on the second anniversary of her death in a heartfelt Instagram post.
Several other members of the Glee cast and crew have also been known to celebrate Rivera’s memory. Just days after the first anniversary of her death in 2021, a group of cast and crew gathered together to honor her. Heather Morris, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, and several show writers participated in a group photo posted on Chord Overstreet’s Instagram.
Tragically, Rivera’s death in 2020 was the result of an accidental drowning while boating with her son at Lake Piru in Southern California. In the aftermath of her passing, her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Ventura County, ultimately settling the case two years later.
