Naya Rivera: Christina Milian to take over late actor’s lead role in Step Up TV series

Showrunners consulted Rivera’s family before recasting the part

Christina Milian is set to replace Naya Rivera as Collette in Step Up: High Water, following the Glee star’s death last year.

Rivera, who drowned in July after going boating with her young son in Lake Piru, played the lead role in the first two seasons of the show.

Singer and actor Milian, who was cast after consultation with Rivera’s family, said she knows she has “massive shoes to fill”. She added: “Naya was incredible. I hope to honour Naya, her family, friends and fans with a great performance.”

Series creator Holly Sorensen added: “Naya’s death was a terrible loss to our world that we will, frankly, never stop mourning. It was almost impossible to consider there could be someone so graceful and loving who could both help us honour our loss, while also bringing a deep reservoir of talent to our show, in so many areas.

“Christina is an exceptional human and a dazzling performer and we are so happy she has joined our family.”

Read more - Naya Rivera: Magnetic performer who broke down boundaries on ‘Glee’

Milian will join Ne-Yo and the rest the cast when filming for season three begins in Atlanta later this month.

Ne-Yo said: “There is no replacing Naya. Let's get that straight. Her spirit lives on in our memories and every part of what this show is and will be. Christina has big shoes to fill and she knows it, which speaks to her poise and respect as a person and an artist.

“I'm more than certain of her ability to bring an energy and light to this character that Naya's fans as well as the rest of the world will love. We've welcomed Christina with absolute open arms and have rallied around her with love and support. I'm excited and can't wait for the world to see this.”