TheGleecast is reuniting to celebrate one of their own.
2021 marks the tenth anniversaryof Rivera’sGleecharacter Santana coming out.
“It’s something to celebrate,” Ushkowitz tells EW of Rivera and Santana’s lasting impact.
Naya Rivera.Everett Collection
Demi Lovato, who guest starred as Santana’s girlfriend on the series, will introduce the tribute.
Rivera passed away in 2020following a tragic accident.
Theypreviously held a holiday fundraiserin her honor.
Naya Rivera and Heather Morris as Santana and Brittany on ‘Glee’.FOX Image Collection via Getty Images
This reunion was actually orchestrated by Ushkowitz, who reached out to GLAAD about honoring Rivera’s legacy.
It’s not hard to rally the troops."
“They knew that GLAAD was really important to her.
Naya Rivera and Amber Riley as Santana and Mercedes on ‘Glee’.FOX Image Collection via Getty Images
They also knew how important the Brittana relationship was.”
Sadly, this isn’t the first time theGleecast has had to pay tribute to one of their own.
Fellow cast memberCory Monteithdied in 2013prior to the start of the show’s fifth season.
But the tragedies have only brought the others closer together.
“We’re a pretty tight knit group,” Ushkowitz reflects.
“A lot of us still stay in close touch.
We find strength in each other.
It was like thisGleeprotective bubble in really challenging times where we looked to each other.
We really do find strength in knowing we’re not alone.”
“I’m always just looking to Jenna to Kevin to Harry for guidance in those times.
If we have anything on our minds, we’re always there for each other.”
“Getting to do ‘Shake It Out’ was my favorite,” Ushkowitz says.
“My favorite to watch was anything with her and Amber, so like ‘River Deep.’
“I really enjoyed watching her sing ‘Songbird.’
It’s always been my favorite.
I will never forget that.”
“It shook the ground that everybody stood on in theater and in the real world.
And hopefully, changed some lives for the better.”
The awards recognize outstanding representation of the LGBTQ community in the media.
They will also stream on Hulu starting at 10 p.m.
ET and be available there until the end of June.
More information about the GLAAD Media Awards, including updates on talent and the show,is available here.
Watch the video above for more.
