During its six-season run from 2009 to 2015, Glee was a tour de force that combined high-school drama with topical issues and musical numbers.
The cast of characters changed slightly over the years, with multiple actors appearing in the popular series.
A memorial honoring Naya Rivera, who tragically drowned in July 2020 while boating with her 4-year-old son on Lake Piru, features heartfelt tributes, flowers, and photographs (Credit: Glenn Highcove / Shutterstock)
One character whose role changed throughout the series was Santana Lopez, the lesbian cheerleader played by California native Naya Rivera.
Naya Rivera stuns in a form-fitting, velvet-paneled dress with sheer long sleeves, while Big Sean complements her look in a classic navy tuxedo and silver bow tie at a red carpet event (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
This article will examine how Santana’s role changed during the series and why many diehard Glee fans felt she was written out of the show by the final season.
Santana’s Glee Debut: From Side Character to Scene Stealer
In the first season of Glee, Santana Lopez was initially introduced as a minor antagonist, acting as somewhat of a second-fiddle character for Quinn Fabray (played by Dianna Agron), the head cheerleader of William McKinley High School.
However, Naya Rivera’s performance as Ms. Lopez managed to wow the show’s producers, who decided to promote her to a series regular by the show’s second season.
Lea Michele as Rachel Berry wears a retro-inspired camel and black striped sweater dress, while Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez sports the iconic WMHS cheerleading uniform in this classic scene from Glee (Credit: Fox)
The show’s second season would introduce more complex storylines for Santana, including a lesbian subplot, significantly improving Naya Rivera’s character development.
These developments continued until the final season, when many speculated that Santana Lopez had been written out of the show.
Behind the Scenes: Why Santana Faded from Glee’s Final Seasons
By the time the fifth season of Glee arrived, inevitable tensions between cast members had begun to surface.
One highly publicized feud involved Naya Rivera and Lea Michele, who portrayed the character of Rachel Berry, one of the show’s protagonists.
During the production of the show’s fifth season, a purported “major altercation” occurred between Rivera and Michele, causing Santana Lopez to be written out of the fifth season finale.
Naya Rivera’s Style Evolution: From Cheerleader to Red Carpet Icon
Lea Michele keeps it casual in a black knit sweater, skinny jeans, and classic black ballet flats, while Naya Rivera rocks a tied-up button-down, gingham crop top, distressed denim shorts, and standout brown gladiator boots while filming Glee in New York City on April 27, 2011 (Credit: Humberto Carreno / Startraksphoto)
However, this is all speculation, as the official reason for Santana’s omission from the fifth season finale is unknown.
This would snowball into a bigger issue following the untimely death of lead actor Cory Monteith (who played Finn Hudson). The showrunners decided that the show’s sixth season would be the last.
During the 6th season, Santana Lopez was relegated to a recurring character status, a downgrade from her leading role status in the previous seasons.
The cast of Glee dazzles on the red carpet at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards, with Amber Riley in a shimmering silver gown, Lea Michele in romantic pink ruffles, Jenna Ushkowitz in navy tiers, Dianna Agron in ethereal cream, and Naya Rivera striking a pose in a blush strapless dress alongside co-stars including Heather Morris in a glittering champagne gown on January 16, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: INFphoto)
While many fans believed this was due to her rocky relationship with Lea Michele, some speculated that it was due to Naya Rivera wanting to devote more time to her burgeoning music career, which began with the release of her debut single “Sorry” (which featured her then-boyfriend Big Sean) in 2013.
Fashion, Feuds, and Final Episodes: What Happened to Santana?
Whatever the case, Santana Lopez did receive a diminished role in the series’ sixth season, appearing in only six episodes of the 13 that comprised the final season.
The actual reason for Naya’s diminished role in her final season may never be fully known, as Naya Rivera, unfortunately, drowned in 2020 after swimming with her four-year-old son at Lake Piru near Santa Clarita, California.
She will always be remembered for her work promoting Latina representation in the Hollywood film and television industry.
Naya Rivera in Tamara Mellon Heels at the Race to Erase MS Gala
Naya Rivera center parts her hair at the 23rd Annual Race To Erase MS Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 15, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: WENN)
Naya Rivera didn’t just attend galas for a cause to look pretty and get some airtime. In fact, she made sure it was a cause she believed in. The “Glee” star revealed that she supports the “Race to Erase MS” event because multiple sclerosis impacts her life personally.
Naya Rivera stuns in a bold red pleated Asilio gown featuring a dramatic back keyhole cutout and thigh-high slit, paired perfectly with gold Tamara Mellon “Horizon” PVC-trimmed ankle-strap sandals (Credit: Apega / Brian To / FayesVision / WENN)
In April 2016, Naya looked beautiful at the foundation’s gala night, a celebrity event to support research and efforts to produce a cure for multiple sclerosis.
Naya wore a gorgeous red Asilio dress, which her stylist, Taylor Jacobson, paired with gold Tamara Mellon “Horizon” PVC sandals.
The actress slicked back her hair to reveal clean makeup and diamond earrings. It was one of Naya’s first red carpet appearances since giving birth to her son Josey Hollis Dorsey on September 17, 2015.
Naya Rivera highlights her black pedicure in strappy gold Tamara Mellon “Horizon” sandals, featuring clear PVC panels and a thin ankle strap for a barely-there red carpet finish (Credit: WENN)
Naya said that — while she doesn’t have the disease herself — she considers the matter close to her heart because she has had friends and family members suffer from it.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease where the immune system attacks the brain or takes over the brain-body connection, which typically leads to full disability.
The father of Naya’s Glee co-star Dianna Agron suffered from multiple sclerosis. “Death has been prevalent in my life, because I’ve lost many people that I loved, and it always feels like it wasn’t the right time,” Agron said on the Allison Interviews podcast in March 2022.
“I, unfortunately, lost many people when I was very young, and my father is very ill and only sixty-six years old. I pride myself in being very present in the moment with my family and my friends, and knowing that your health and wellness are not guaranteed. That centers me a lot.”
Honoring Naya Rivera’s Legacy On and Off the Red Carpet
Naya Rivera stands beside her Glee co-star Dianna Agron, wearing a playful multicolored floral-print dress, while Agron opts for a chic black halter top with ruffled detailing and a patterned skirt at an American Idol event (Credit: Jaguar PS / Shutterstock)
“Naya was my first friend on set. We were quite isolated because we weren’t involved in the entire pilot,” Agron said about her friend who drowned in July 2020 during a boat outing at Lake Piru in Ventura County, California, with her son, Josey.
“We had our very brief moments in the pilot, and everybody else was very involved in the singing, dancing and all the rehearsals. So she was my point person and we kind of instilled each other with confidence in those moments. She was just very unique and special in the way she carried herself with such confidence and certainty. If she believed in something or in you as a person, she would always uplift those ideas.”
The WMHS (William McKinley High School) cheerleading uniforms worn by characters like Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) and Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) on Glee were designed under the supervision of Lou Eyrich, the show’s Emmy-winning costume designer.
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez and Dianna Agron as Quinn Fabray wear their signature WMHS cheerleading uniforms in a tense locker room scene from the hit series Glee, highlighting the drama that often unfolded behind the pom-poms (Credit: Fox)
“[Naya] was very, very strong in a way that I think I have adapted to moments in my own life that have been quite difficult and the adversity you can overcome if you experience it at a young age that makes you more resilient. She had that strength in spades,” Agron added.
“Any strength that I had, she had ten times more of it. It was really inspiring and nurturing to be around. She was also wickedly funny and had the best comedic timing.”
Glee Stars’ Fashion Highlights: Naya Rivera and Co-Stars Shine
Explore standout fashion moments from the cast of Glee, focusing on Naya Rivera’s iconic styles and her co-stars’ memorable appearances.
Naya Rivera’s Elegant Appearance at TrevorLIVE LA
- Event: TrevorLIVE LA
- Outfit: Naya Rivera exuded sophistication in a Donna Karan velvet dress.
- Footwear: She paired the dress with Stuart Weitzman heels, adding a touch of glamour to her look.
- See more: Naya Rivera’s Most Elegant Look: The Donna Karan Velvet Dress
Naya Rivera’s Business-Chic Ensemble at Women in Entertainment Event
- Event: 2013 Women in Entertainment Breakfast
- Outfit: Naya Rivera showcased a Michael Kors tweed peplum skirt paired with a sleek black top.
- Footwear: She elevated her look with Casadei Blade ankle-strap pumps, epitomizing business-chic style.
- Discover more: Naya Rivera Slays in Michael Kors & Casadei Blade Pumps
Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison’s Pre-Glee Connection
- Event: Behind-the-scenes revelation
- Details: Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison had a history before starring together on Glee, adding depth to their on-screen chemistry.
- Read more: How Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison Met and Dated Before Glee
Heather Morris’s Departure from Glee Explained
- Event: Heather Morris’s exit from Glee
- Details: Discover the reasons behind Heather Morris’s departure from the show and how it impacted her character’s storyline.
- See more: Why Heather Morris as Brittany Pierce Left Glee After Season 3
These articles delve into Glee cast members’ fashion choices and behind-the-scenes stories, offering fans a comprehensive look at their favorite stars’ styles and experiences.
Shop the Look: Tamara Mellon’s Horizon Sandals and Stylish Alternatives
Since their release, these PVC sandals from Tamara Mellon have been making waves on the red carpet. While Naya’s “Horizon” sandals have sold out online, you can browse similar ankle-strap heels at Zappos.
Tamara Mellon’s ‘Horizon’ sandals are crafted from light-catching gold leather set on a thin heel with clear PVC trims and an elasticated ankle strap for the perfect fit
Tamara Mellon “Horizon” PVC-trimmed Metallic Leather Sandals, $595
Crafted from soft beige suede, this pair has a lightly cushioned insole and transparent PVC trims
Tamara Mellon “Horizon” PVC-trimmed Suede Leather Sandals, $595