People grieve in different ways. Naya Rivera‘s sister Nickayla Rivera (left) responded to reports that she moved in with Ryan Dorsey, Naya’s ex-husband and the father of her son, Josey.
Naya died tragically during a boating trip with her young son in July. But reports surfaced recently that her sister Nickayla moved in with Ryan to “help raise” Josey.
Ryan and Nickayla live together in a three-bedroom home — prompting rampant speculation that Nickayla and Ryan were more than friends and that their relationship probably drove Naya to take her own life.
Nickayla responded to the reports in an Instagram post, asking for “compassion” and explaining that her priority is little Josey (pictured with Naya in February 2019).
“In the darkest time of my life, the only thing that is important is my friends & family,” Nickayla wrote.
“Showing up for my nephew, even though I can’t show up for myself. Im not concerned with the ways things look because no one can see each agonizing moment we all endure. What matters most I’ve learned, is to show compassion, not to judge others and never take a moment for granted. I hope you all can do the same.”
A friend told Entertainment Tonight that Nickayla has been helping to raise little Josey, and that moving in with Ryan made the most sense.
The source tells ET there is no romance between the couple.
“They simply share the same goal-to give Josey the best childhood possible and to raise him the best they can without Naya. They’ve also found comfort in one another because they understand what each other is dealing with and they know how exhausting it can be to be grieving in the public eye while trying to keep it together for Josey.”
