{"id":2493513,"date":"2026-07-08T15:33:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T15:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2493513"},"modified":"2026-07-08T15:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T15:33:37","slug":"naya-riveras-ex-shares-how-he-and-son-keep-stars-memory-alive-6-years-after-drowning-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/naya-riveras-ex-shares-how-he-and-son-keep-stars-memory-alive-6-years-after-drowning-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Naya Rivera&#8217;s ex shares how he and son keep star&#8217;s memory alive 6 years after drowning death"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Ryan Dorsey believes Naya Rivera is proudly \u201csmiling down\u201d on their son, Josey, who was only 4 when he <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2020\/07\/13\/body-found-in-california-lake-where-naya-rivera-went-missing\/\">watched his mother drown<\/a>\u00a0while they were swimming off a rental boat in California\u2019s Lake Piru \u2014 exactly six years ago.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s been taking piano lessons for a little over a year now, and he\u2019s getting pretty good. It\u2019s the one thing I connected with his mom,\u201d Dorsey told Page Six via Zoom from his West Virginia home, claiming the late \u201cGlee\u201d star always \u201cregretted\u201d quitting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI said, \u2018Your mom \u2014 she\u2019s always listening. \u2026 You don\u2019t understand now, but one day when you\u2019re an adult or maybe even a teenager, you\u2019re going to thank me. You\u2019re never going to quit as long as you\u2019re living with me.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Ryan Dorsey (pictured in a Zoom interview with Page Six) detailed how he and his 10-year-old son, Josey, keep Naya Rivera\u2019s memory alive six years after her drowning death.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cHe\u2019s been taking piano lessons for a little over a year now, and he\u2019s getting pretty good,\u201d Dorsey told us, claiming Rivera always \u201cregretted\u201d quitting. Josey is seen here in an Instagram photo from 2025.  <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/dorseyryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>The actor, 42, went on to marvel, \u201cIt\u2019s just so awesome to hear him progress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The father-son duo also keeps the actress\u2019 memory alive by way of a \u201cMommy Garden\u201d in their yard.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s roses and flowers and all these things that come back every year,\u201d Dorsey shared. \u201cAnd [Josey] waters it when it needs to be watered and kind of takes care of that. It kind of looks like a wishing well. So we put that up for her.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cI said, \u2018Your mom \u2014 she\u2019s always listening,&#8217;\u201d Dorsey added of the late \u201cGlee\u201d star, seen here with her son in 2020.  <span class=\"credit\">dorseyryan\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The father-son duo, seen in 2024, also keeps Rivera\u2019s memory alive by way of a \u201cMommy Garden\u201d in their yard. <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/dorseyryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>During our interview, one of the \u201cYellowstone\u201d actor\u2019s many pets entered the frame. She, too, serves as a constant reminder of Rivera.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is Cliffy. [Josey] named her Clifford,\u201d Dorsey explained while petting the pooch\u2019s head. \u201cHe wanted a boy dog, and I said, \u2018Well, that\u2019s all they got\u2019. \u2026 So he named her Clifford. And her middle name is Marie, like his mom. So it\u2019s Cliffy Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The single dad does his part to make Rivera a consistent presence in their lives, but \u2014 inadvertently \u2014 so does Josey.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cThere\u2019s roses and flowers and all these things that come back every year,\u201d Dorsey said, noting that Josey, seen with his late mother, is in charge of watering it. <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/dorseyryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Dorsey and Josey\u2019s dog Clifford \u201cCliffy\u201d (pictured in our Zoom interview) also serves as a constant reminder of the actress, as they share the middle name Marie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cHe does certain things \u2014 little laughs and voices that I don\u2019t even know that he knows that she used to do \u2014 well, I tell him \u2014 that remind me of silly things that she used to do and say,\u201d Dorsey recalled, adding with a smile, \u201cAnd he talks a lot, so he reminds me of her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor all he\u2019s been through,\u201d he made sure to note, \u201che\u2019s a super happy, charming, busy, smart kid.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Though Rivera <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2020\/07\/09\/glee-star-naya-rivera-goes-missing-while-boating-in-california\/\">drowned on July 8, 2020<\/a>, it took five agonizing days to recover the 33-year-old\u2019s body.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s always the first week of July,\u201d Dorsey said of this painful time of year. \u201cI purposely don\u2019t know exactly what day it was because the whole process was just, like, one long week of a nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The single dad does his part to make Rivera a consistent presence in their lives, but \u2014 inadvertently \u2014 so does Josey, seen in 2024. <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/dorseyryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Dorsey shared that Josey\u2019s \u201clittle laughs and voices\u201d remind him of Rivera. The father and son are seen here in 2022.  <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/dorseyryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The \u201cRay Donovan\u201d actor \u2014 whose <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2017\/11\/28\/naya-riveras-husband-speaks-out-after-her-arrest\/\">long, complicated relationship with Rivera<\/a> included a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2018\/06\/15\/naya-rivera-and-ryan-dorsey-finalize-divorce\/\">four-year marriage<\/a> \u2014 invoked the old \u201ctime heals all wounds\u201d saying, lamenting that he\u2019s learned to \u201ccope with\u201d and \u201caccept\u201d the tragedy, though it still makes him \u201cshake [his] head every so often.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asked whether Josey ever mentions \u201cthat day,\u201d Dorsey replied, \u201cNot necessarily.\u201d He told us his son\u2019s recollection of \u201cthe worst day of [his] life\u201d <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2025\/02\/12\/parents\/ryan-dorsey-why-son-feels-guilty-about-naya-riveras-death\/\">has remained consistent over the years<\/a>: His mom \u2014 who <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2020\/07\/09\/naya-riveras-son-was-wearing-a-life-jacket-but-she-wasnt\/\">was not wearing her life jacket<\/a> \u2014 used all her strength to get him back on the boat that had drifted. She called out his name and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2020\/07\/14\/naya-rivera-cause-of-death-ruled-a-drowning-following-autopsy\/\">disappeared under the water<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, Josey has developed \u201ca very interesting sense of humor about\u201d it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Asked whether Josey ever mentions \u201cthat day,\u201d Dorsey replied, \u201cNot necessarily.\u201d Naya is seen here with her son. <span class=\"credit\">dorseyryan\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Dorsey\u2019s long, complicated relationship with Rivera (pictured together in 2016) included a four-year marriage. <span class=\"credit\">WireImage<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll be in a pool, and he\u2019ll say something that correlates to that event, and it\u2019s just a comment, and he goes back to swimming,\u201d Dorsey revealed, adding, \u201cIt\u2019s sad, but I\u2019m so grateful that he\u2019s got that spirit. He\u2019s pretty resilient and happy and just lights up every room he walks into.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cPalm Royale\u201d actor told us he focuses on taking things \u201cone day at a time\u201d \u2014 and keeping up with 10-year-old Josey, who <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2015\/09\/30\/naya-rivera-welcomes-first-child\/\">has lived more than half his life without his mother<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>After Rivera died, Dorsey \u2014 who later <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2022\/03\/01\/naya-riveras-family-settles-wrongful-death-lawsuit\/\">received a lawsuit settlement from Ventura County on behalf of Josey<\/a> \u2014 tried to stay in Los Angeles, but it became too much. The cost of living, coupled with the media attention, prompted him to move back to his home state to give his son a quieter and more fulfilling upbringing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Dorsey is now a single parent working twice as hard to provide financially, physically and emotionally. They are seen here enjoying a pool day.  <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/dorseyryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cIt is what it is, and it sucks, but we\u2019re doing the best we can,\u201d the actor, seen celebrating his son\u2019s 10th birthday in September 2020, said. <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/dorseyryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Though he\u2019s surrounded by his family (and both technology and transportation allow Josey to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2020\/09\/30\/ryan-dorsey-blasts-absurd-relationship-allegations-with-ex-naya-riveras-sister\/\">maintain a close relationship with Naya\u2019s LA-based relatives<\/a>), Dorsey is still a single parent working twice as hard to provide financially, physically and emotionally \u2014 all while navigating the pair\u2019s shared grief.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is what it is, and it sucks, but we\u2019re doing the best we can. And you know, the train \u2014 what do they say? That s\u2013t don\u2019t stop. Nothing stops,\u201d the \u201cJustified\u201d actor said before pausing and giggling to himself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m always telling Josey, \u2018The Reaper\u2019s coming for all of us, brother.\u2019 That\u2019s kind of I think where he gets his somewhat morbid sense of humor from.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source pagesix.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ryan Dorsey believes Naya Rivera is proudly \u201csmiling down\u201d on their son, Josey, who was only 4 when he watched his mother drown\u00a0while they were swimming off a rental boat in California\u2019s Lake Piru \u2014 exactly six years ago. \u201cHe\u2019s been taking piano lessons for a little over a year now, and he\u2019s getting pretty [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2493514,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25177],"tags":[30058,30992,22062,344976,30055,24003,491037,25404,25290,22507,491038,21913],"class_list":["post-2493513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrities","tag-celebrity-children","tag-celebrity-dads","tag-celebrity-deaths","tag-celebrity-interviews","tag-celebrity-moms","tag-celebrity-news","tag-drownings","tag-exclusive","tag-naya-rivera","tag-parents","tag-ryan-dorsey","tag-tv"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Naya-Riveras-ex-shares-how-he-and-son-keep-stars.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2493513","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2493513"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2493513\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2493515,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2493513\/revisions\/2493515"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2493514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2493513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2493513"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2493513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}