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Naya Rivera’s father asks fans to leave Ryan Murphy alone amid dispute over son’s college fund

Murphy recently issued a statement stating that he was ‘committed’ to financing late actor’s son’s education

Annabel Nugent
Friday 12 March 2021 05:11 EST
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Glee cast hold hands beside the lake where Naya Rivera died

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Naya Rivera’s father has called on fans to leave Ryan Murphy alone after he suggested that the showrunner broke his promise to start a college fund for Rivera’s son.

Naya Rivera, who died last year, was best known for starring in Murphy’s musical drama-comedy series Glee.

Her father, George Rivera, recently made public comments which suggested that Murphy had not followed through on a promise to finance Naya’s son’s education.

He also requested that fans “get the Glee tweeters on this !!!!” prompting many people to tweet Murphy. The hashtag #JusticeForTheRiveraFamily began trending on social media.

Murphy has since responded stating that he is “committed” to creating a college fund for the child.

Following Murphy’s statement, Rivera has asked fans to “please leave” the showrunner alone.

He wrote on Twitter: “Guys, we appreciate all the love for Naya, I feel your sincerity and devotion and I miss her everyday. 2 things, pls leave @MrRPMurphy alone about his actions or non-actions.. that’s for him to solve.”

He added: “2nd, DO NOT DONATE to any cause w/ Nayas name unless Rivera Family endorses.”

Murphy is yet to respond to Rivera’s second post.

Earlier this week, Rivera wrote on Twitter: “Everyone needs to know what Ryan Murphy really did... or didn’t do.”

“When you are part of the Hollywood elite, some people treat others as they are ‘less than’... vocalise a good game , but it’s as shallow as the sets on stage that they create. Promises made in public, only to fade with time and excuses... even in a unexplainable tragedy… [sic],” he said.

“Broken Promises... fake outrage... hollow gestures... no phone call.”

In a statement subsequently provided to Entertainment Tonight, Murphy’s representative said: “Ryan Murphy, [and Glee co-creators] Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan have committed to fund and create a college fund for her child through the Naya Rivera Estate Trust, and have been in repeated conversations with the appropriate executors of her estate.”

Rivera died in July 2020 in a tragic boating accident during a trip to Lake Piro with her son, Josey.

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