On July 8, 2020, TMZ reported the tragic news that Glee actress Naya Rivera has been declared
missing after a day of boating with her son. The outlet shared that her 4-year-old son
Josey Dorsey was found on a boat that she presumably rented on Lake Piru, which is located
in Southern California. Authorities searched for the Glee alum during the day of her disappearance,
but suspended the search overnight because it was too dark to make meaningful progress.
As of this video’s release, it's been reported that the search is now considered to be a
recovery mission, with Rivera presumed dead. Rivera shares custody of Josey with her ex-husband
Ryan Dorsey, whom she divorced in 2018.
Us Weekly confirmed that Rivera married her ex in July 2014 on the same date she was originally
set to marry rapper Big Sean, who broke up with her in April 2014. Entertainment Tonight
reported that the rapper "liked" several tweets hoping for Rivera's safe return.
Back when the couple first split, Big Sean's representative confirmed to People that he
was the one who called off the engagement, amid rumors that he'd cheated on Rivera. At
the time Big Sean's rep shared,
"The recent rumors and accusations reported by so-called or fake sources are simply untrue.
Sean wishes Naya nothing but the best and it is still his hope that they can continue
to work through their issues privately. We will not be commenting again on this matter."
However, as it turned out, that actually wasn't the last time that Big Sean addressed the
matter. Instead, the two exes addressed their relationship with songs, interviews, books,
and social media posts for years.
In April 2014, BET reported that Naya Rivera tweeted and deleted,
"BigSean stealing Rolexes from a lady's house now. Maybe cuz I'm on Glee and making more
money or something. triflin."
TMZ countered that Big Sean didn't "steal" the watch in question, and it was actually
his own Rolex that he let her wear. The outlet claimed he decided to call it quits because
she was, quote, "way too controlling," with a source telling TMZ that Rivera would threaten
him, making remarks like, quote, "If you don't listen to what I say, I'll ruin your career."
In her 2016 memoir, Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up, Rivera claimed,
"I learned that I was no longer getting married from THE INTERNET, and at the same time as
the rest of the world."
Rivera also implied that Big Sean cheated on her with Ariana Grande, writing,
"I walk in, go downstairs, and guess what little girl is sitting cross-legged on the
couch listening to music? It rhymes with 'Smariana Schmande."
Big Sean's rep denied cheating allegations in 2014, telling Us Weekly,
"Sean did not cheat on Naya and the allegations are 100% false and untrue."
Of course, after breaking up with Rivera, Big Sean dated Grande for eight months. He
alluded to Rivera's book in his 2016 song "No More Interviews," rapping,
"And the funny thing about it is my ex wanna write a tell-all. F---ed up thing about it
is she ain't even tell all."
In an October 2013 E! News interview, still a year before their breakup, Big Sean and
Naya Rivera were asked who introduced them. Big Sean replied with a single word: "Twitter."
At the time, The Hollywood Reporter shared that Rivera explained to Access Hollywood,
"I had followed him, and he sent me a little message like, 'I'm a fan.’ We went to dinner
and the rest is history."
The couple got engaged in October 2013.
Before things went south, Rivera gushed in a January 2014 Cosmopolitan interview,
"I think he's going to be an amazing husband, and he'll make a great father someday. He's
so kind to people, but he also wears the pants in our relationship, which I love. We Latinas
are very independent and strong, so it's even sweeter that I've found somebody who can let
me out of that role for a minute."
Sadly, the following years would lead them through a messy breakup. And three years later,
Big Sean took part in the internet response when Rivera was arrested for domestic battery
against her domestic partner, Ryan Dorsey. However, after years of public digs, it seems
Big Sean now only hopes that Rivera is found safe, despite grim conclusions from the authorities.