Big Sean has paid tribute to Naya Rivera, to whom he was previously engaged, following her death at the age of 33.
The rapper and Glee star began dating in April 2013, and announced their engagement six months later, although they eventually split in 2014.
On Friday night, Sean paid his respects to his late ex-fiancée in a post on his Instagram page, writing: “Rest In Peace Naya, God Bless your Soul!
“Thank you for blessing us all with your talent and presence. you are a hero! Not just because of how you saved your son, also because of the barriers you knocked down for so many people to make them feel confident in themselves and to stand tall and be proud when they couldn’t achieve that on their own.”
He continued: “I appreciate and cherish everything that ever happened between us for making me wiser and a better person.
“I’m still grieving and in shock, I can’t believe this is real. I’m praying for you and your family and I know you’re watching over them and protecting them.”
During their relationship, Naya featured Sean on her debut single, Sorry, which was released in September 2013.
Following their split, Sean went on to date fellow musicians Ariana Grande and Jhené Aiko, while Naya reunited with actor, Ryan Dorsey, who she’d dated years earlier.
Naya and Ryan married in July 2014, and welcomed their son Josey Hollis the following September. They eventually split in 2017.
Naya’s body was recovered from Lake Piru in Southern California on Monday after she was reported missing following a boating trip with her four-year-old son on 8 July.
The medical examiner later declared that the actor had died by accidental drowning.
Naya’s family said in a statement: “We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week.
“While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honour her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.
“Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time.”
