Naya Rivera’s son Josey is keeping her memory alive through music.
Nearly five years after his ex-wife drowned in a tragic accident at 33, Ryan Dorsey shared that their 9-year-old has been paying tribute to the late Glee star by taking piano lessons.
“I said, ‘Your mom would definitely have you playing,’” Ryan said on Good Morning America Feb. 19, “and I said, ‘She’s always watching you.'”
Indeed, the 41-year-old—who was married to the Royal Family actress from 2014 to 2018—went on to explain that piano lessons were one of the few things Naya regretted not keeping up with. But even so, she left a memorable legacy that continues to live on in her loved ones as well as on the screen.
“I’m grateful that he has memories of his mom still,” the Justified alum continued. “And luckily, his mother was on television, so she’s gonna live [on] forever.”
And while the love Naya showed her family will never be forgotten, Ryan can’t help but wonder what would have happened if he had been on the boat with her and Josey at the time of her death.
“We would’ve all jumped in,” he shared. “Part of me thinks I would’ve been able to save the day. Part of me thinks that maybe we both, if something crazy happened with undercurrents, I don’t know, maybe we both wouldn’t have made it out. And then Josey doesn’t have two parents.”
And, despite his young age, Josey also struggles with the guilt of being unable to save his mom during their devastating mother-son outing.
“Something he’s said over and over is that he was trying to find a life raft, and there was a rope, but there was a big spider on the rope, and he was too scared to throw it,” Ryan told People in a recent interview. “I keep reassuring him, ‘Buddy, that rope wasn’t going to be long enough.’ That obviously still sticks out in his head because he feels like he could have saved her.”
But even with their difficult past few years, the Big Sky actor shared that his son never stopped being a positive light amid the dark times.
“He wakes up happy, all energy,” he gushed. “I’m trying to be the best parent that I can be and raise a good little man. He gives me a reason to keep going with my life.”
To see more of what Josey’s been up to, keep reading.
Pre-K Grad
“Fresh outta Pre-K boy!” Naya’s ex Ryan Dorsey wrote on Instagram in June 2021. “Next Up Kindergarten! #summertime #proudDad”
Summer 2021 Fun
Naya’s ex Ryan Dorsey has a fun pool day with their son in June 2021.
Mother’s Day 2021
“We can’t say the word happy but we’ll say thank you for being a mother & giving me this sweet amazing boy,” Naya’s ex Ryan Dorsey wrote on Mother’s Day 2021, the first since the actress’ July 2020 death, alongside this never-before-seen mother-son photo.
Josey & Grammy
“Happy Mother’s Day Grammy…” Naya’s ex Ryan Dorsey wrote on Instagram on Mother’s Day 2021. “Thanks for all the support, unconditional love, all the help, your patience, thoughtfulness, and everything you do. We [red heart emoji] you.”
Woof Woof
Naya’s ex Ryan Dorsey shared this adorable throwback pic of Josey with their two dogs in March 2021.
Naya’s 34th Birthday
In January 2021, Ryan Dorsey paid tribute to his ex on what would have been her 34th birthday with this throwback family photo.
“Just as surreal as it is real that you’re gone,” he wrote. “If that makes sense, but none of this still makes any sense…34..I could just hear you saying “Ah, I’m old AF now!” Ha…Rest easy old lady…”
Christmas 2020
The two celebrate their first Christmas since Naya’s death five months prior.
Tribute to Naya
Naya’s ex Ryan Dorsey shared this photo of the late actress and their son, their only child, two weeks after she drowned during a boating trip with the boy.
“This is so unfair…there’s not enough words to express the hole left in everyone’s hearts,” Ryan wrote on Instagram. “I can’t believe this is life now. I don’t know if I’ll ever believe it. You were just here… We were just in the back swimming with Josey the day before. Life just isn’t fair.”
He continued, “I don’t know what to say…I’m thankful for our times and our journey that brought us together and gave us the sweetest and kindest smart little boy we could ever hope for. I remember sometimes you used to get annoyed at me: ‘Ryan can you stop snap chatting!’ Haha. I’m glad I didn’t listen to you because I have hundreds and probably thousands of snaps and videos that Josey will have forever and know his momma loved him more than life, and how much fun we had together as he was growing up. Life is all about good times and bad times but with Josey it makes the bad a little less so because a part of you will always be with us. He’ll never forget where he came from. We miss you. We will always love you. Love you Meep.”
Father’s Day 2020
Naya’s ex Ryan Dorsey shared this pic of himself with Josey and one of their dogs, less than three weeks before the actress’ death.
New Year’s 2020
Naya’s ex Ryan Dorsey shared this family pic on New Year’s Day 2020, seven months before the actress’ death.
Batter Up
“Practice in WalMart makes perfect,” Josey’s dad Ryan Dorsey wrote on Instagram in November 2019.
Happy Halloween 2019
Josey and dad Ryan Dorsey celebrate Halloween with matching Toy Story costumes.
Happy Halloween 2019 Part 2
Why so ssssserious? The two also dressed up as the Joker and Batman from The Dark Knight.
Cute Cuddles
Just last week, Rivera shared this photo of her cuddling with her little one. “Just the two of us,” she captioned the image.
Fashionable Family
The mother-son duo made a stylish pair in this March 2020 photo.
“Perfect Duo”
“Batman and Batgirl,” Rivera wrote in November 2019. “Perfect duo.”
Birthday Bliss
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be,” the Glee star wrote in September 2019. “Happy birthday Josey! Love Mommy.”
Movie Night
The two attended the Los Angeles premiere of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part in February 2019.
Cherished Memories
“Camel ridin with my main man!” Rivera wrote in November 2018.
A Winning Team
“We win!” the celeb, who played Santana on Glee, wrote alongside a photo of their 2018 costumes. “#HappyHalloween.”
Lots of Smiles
The two rocked out to “Can’t Stop the Feeling” in this adorable March 2018 video.
Sweet Snoozes
“Nap buddies,” the proud parent wrote alongside this March 2018 photo.
Tons of Love
“[Love] you to the moon and back,” Rivera wrote in February 2017. “#Vday.”
Happy Times
“[Every day] with him is the most special. #joseysmommy #happymothersday,” she wrote in 2016.
A Picture-Perfect Moment
Rivera shared a behind-the-scenes photo from their Fit Pregnancy and Baby shoot in April 2016.
No. 1 Fan
“Coolin’ at Petco Park,” Rivera wrote in March 2016.
