Naya Rivera | |
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Rivera in April 2011
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Born |
Naya Marie Rivera January 12, 1987 Valencia, Santa Clarita, California, U.S. |
Other names | Naya Rivera Dorsey |
Occupation | Actress, singer-songwriter, model |
Years active | 1991–present |
Spouse(s) | Ryan Dorsey (m. 2014; separated 2016) |
Children | 1 |
Relatives |
Mychal Rivera (brother) Nickayla Rivera (sister) |
Musical career | |
Genres | Pop, R&B |
Instruments | Vocals |
Labels | Columbia Records |
Website | nayarivera |
Mychal Rivera (brother)
Naya Marie Rivera (born January 12, 1987) is an American actress and singer, known for playing Santana Lopez on Fox's musical comedy-drama television series Glee. She also played the role of Hillary Winston on The Royal Family at the age of 4, for which she received a Young Artist Award nomination. Her first solo single "Sorry", featuring American rapper Big Sean, was released on September 17, 2013.
Rivera was born and raised in the Valencia neighborhood of Santa Clarita, California, and has lived in or around Los Angeles for most of her life. She is of Puerto Rican, African American, and German descent. Her parents are Yolanda, a former model, and George Rivera. Her 3-year-younger brother is NFL tight end Mychal Rivera, and her 7-year-younger sister is runway model Nickayla Rivera. At 8 or 9 months old, Rivera began to be represented by the same talent agent as her mother, who had moved to Los Angeles to pursue modelling.
Rivera appeared in commercials for Kmart as a baby, but her first significant acting job was at age 4 when she appeared as Hillary Winston in The Royal Family sitcom in 1991. The show received positive reviews and high ratings initially, but it was canceled soon after star Redd Foxx suffered a sudden heart attack on set. Rivera received a Young Artist Award nomination for her performance in the series.