Naya Rivera's final TV appearance is now streaming — with a special note of dedication.
Rivera, who passed away on July 8, had filmed a yet-unaired episode of Netflix's Sugar Rush: Extra Sweet. The season 3 episode of the baking competition arrived on the streamer on July 31.
Rivera appears as a guest judge in the episode "Birds of a Feather," which opens with the note: "Dedicated to Naya Rivera."
Naya Rivera chats about son Josey in her final TV appearance
Rivera accidentally drowned while boating on July 8. Her 4-year-old son Josey was with her, but he survived unharmed. The late Glee actress has been described as having been a devoted and loving mother to her son — and that's once again shone through in her Sugar Rush episode.
At one point, Sugar Rush host Hunter March asked Rivera if she's bakes. "I do, yeah," she said. "I have a 4-year-old son, so you're kind of required to know how to bake at that point," she joked. Josey's favourite baked good? "Chocolate chip cookies," Rivera shared, in the episode which now makes for heavy-hearted viewing. The late actress and singer also takes a turn as a food critic in the episode as she samples contestants' work.
Naya Rivera (1987-2020)
Rivera was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles on July 24. Her death certificate, released on July 30, confirmed that her accidental passing was "consistent with a drowning." She was just 33 years old.
Rest in peace, Naya.