Naya Rivera was born and raised in Valencia, California.
Rivera is a devout Christian–though there is no indication as to what denomination exactly. But she's obviously serious enough about it to tattoo a large cross on her back.[1] She has mentioned the difficulties associated with fame and religious devotion:
It's hard and sort of sad that you do feel like you need to tread lightly when you say, 'Yes, I do go to church and I read the Bible,' because once you do that people will be like, 'Why are her boobs out? Why is her midriff showing? Why is she playing a lesbian?' I don't want to deal with that stuff, and so I've never really discussed it. It's very personal.[2]
Well, this isn't a surprising revelation considering that, for example, videos have been released of Rivera pole dancing[3] and she occasionally tweets mildly irreverent things like:
Jesus Christ better be playing at the Hollywood bowl for all this highland traffic to be legit.[4]
Given her religiosity, one would imagine that if Jesus were to play the Hollywood bowl, Rivera would know about it.
Two-pronged politics
Rivera's politics have two main themes: 2012 presidential politics and homosexuality.
She plays a lesbian on the hit show, Glee, and as such, has become a bit of an icon in the gay community. She said:
I get so many tweets a day from people thanking me and saying how the role has changed their lives, enabling them to come out.[5]
She's returned the gratitude in kind, co-hosting the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Awards (GLAAD Awards) and even auctioning off a $5,000 kiss for the organization.[6] Plus, she says she frequents gay bars–just a little side-note there.[7]
In 2012, when the Republicans were battling for the presidential nomination, Rivera expressed extreme dissatisfaction with candidate Rick Santorum. She tweeted:
And now a political tweet: Rick Santorum is the most disgusting person I've ever seen in my life. Who is this clown?![8]
And:
And why are Americans letting [Santorum] open his ignorant mouth? #embarrassing[9]
When Obama ultimately won the election, she celebrated at a post-election party, and in the photos, she looks pretty happy.
So, liberal Democrat seems an appropriate title.
Loading comments...