Five years after the tragic death of Naya Rivera, her ex-husband Ryan Dorsey is providing heartfelt updates about their son, Josey. At the time of Rivera’s death, the young boy was only four years old and had been with his mother on a pontoon boat at Lake Piru, California when she sadly drowned after saving him by getting him back on the boat. Authorities ruled her death as accidental.
Dorsey recently sat down for an interview with People, sharing details about their lives since the tragedy. The pair relocated to Virginia post-pandemic, which Dorsey describes as “A totally different place. There’s not much to do, but it feels safe.” This move symbolizes Dorsey’s effort to provide his son with stability amid their loss.
Reflecting on Josey, Dorsey proudly notes his son has shown interest in the performing arts, having appeared in several plays. “He’s a natural,” Dorsey commented, though he clarified, “He’s not begging to be an actor,” opting instead to expose Josey to various activities such as playing instruments and sports so he can discover what he truly enjoys. “Being creative is definitely in his blood,” Dorsey added, highlighting the cultural inheritance from his late mother. Josey has even watched episodes of Glee, the show for which Rivera was most famous, though Dorsey himself struggles to do so.
“His mom will live forever,” Dorsey stated, remarking on her enduring legacy through her work, describing this as one of the few silver linings to the tragedy they experienced. Dorsey is acutely aware of the weight of their loss on Josey, relaying the poignant realization of how young Josey witnessed his mother’s last moments. “It just rocks my world,” he said, expressing the depth of grief he navigates as well.
Family dynamics have shifted significantly for Dorsey, as Josey has expressed desires for “a brother” and “a stepmom.” Dorsey acknowledged the complications this brings, admitting, “Being a full-time father hasn’t left me much time to meet women, much less get a girlfriend.” His primary focus remains on nurturing Josey’s well-being and maintaining his connection to Naya’s memory.
On the topic of family support, Dorsey addressed the rumors surrounding his relationship with Nickayla Rivera, Naya’s sister. Following Naya’s passing, Nickayla moved in with them and assisted Dorsey with raising Josey. This living arrangement set off speculation about their relationship when photos surfaced showing them seemingly holding hands. Dorsey clarified the moment to People, stating, “The funny thing is, it did look like we were holding hands, but we grazed fingers on the escalator, and then it was this whole thing.”
Despite the public curiosity, Dorsey underscored Nickayla’s significant role during a challenging time, saying, “She was such a big help. I wanted to keep [Josey's] life somewhat normal.” He explained how Nickayla provided stability for Josey, especially during Dorsey’s absences for work. Referring to her influence on Josey, Dorsey said, “It was very surreal sometimes because the way she would say things to Josey would sound like his mom.”
The interplay between Josey’s day-to-day life and the ghost of Naya Rivera lingers, but Dorsey is ensuring her legacy is honored as best as possible. By immersing Josey in creative pursuits and sharing fond memories of his mother, he carries forth Naya’s spirit. “That’s what I want him to take away from this—he had the greatest mom there ever could be,” Dorsey affirmed.
While the pain of losing Naya Rivera will mark their lives indefinitely, Ryan Dorsey remains dedicated to celebrating the beauty of her impact through their son. The next chapter for Josey Rivera is bright, surrounded by love and laughter, forever grounded by the love of his extraordinary mother.