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Ryan Dorsey addresses 'nonsense' rumours about Naya Rivera's sister moving in with him

Actors Ryan Dorsey (L) and Naya Rivera: Getty Images
Actors Ryan Dorsey (L) and Naya Rivera: Getty Images

Naya Rivera’s ex Ryan Dorsey has addressed rumours regarding his relationship with her sister Nickayla, after it was reported she had moved in with him. Explaining that his and Rivera’s son Josey had requested she move in, he revealed recently that members of the family had received comments “wishing death upon” them and said she had “uprooted her life” to support him and Josey.

Following a report about the move, an Instagram post posted by Nickayla in tribute to the late Glee star was flooded with abusive comments.

Dorsey said yesterday in an Instagram video, “I can’t believe this is real life and I’m about to address any of this nonsense...But it was brought to my attention that there’s a lot of people that have a lot to say and have opinions on a family’s tragic situation, 99% of strangers who don’t even know this family.”

Revealing that the family had received death threats, he added that he had lost “a little over 20 pounds” and was struggling in the wake of Rivera’s death. “I don’t get good sleep. I’m sad everyday. I wake up, I go to sleep sad every night staring at the ceiling, or staring at the wall.”

Dorsey revealed that his son Josey had asked if Nickayla, who his son refers to as Titi, could move in with them. He explained, “Josey asks me if Titi can live with us. ''I want Titi to live with us forever,'' because she's now the closest thing he has to a mom. You're going to need all the help you can get as a single parent trying to build your career and navigate this disaster with your child.”

“It's a temporary situation. After all that he's had to go through how could you deny him that? Because of what? What some strangers might think or say, or spew some hatred based on some ill-advised, illogical, misinformed tabloid?” he continued.

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i love you

A post shared by NICKAYLA RIVERA (@nickaylarivera) on Jul 26, 2020 at 9:06pm PDT

Dorsey continued that he was “lucky” that Nickayla, as well as the rest of the family, had been supporting him throughout this time.

Discussing Nickayla specifically, he said, “To have a young woman who is his blood and Titi, who is willing to put her life on hold and sacrifice things, uproot her situation for the betterment of your child so when you put your child to bed, you don’t always have to be alone with your thoughts...So when you put your child to bed you don't always have to be alone with your thoughts and you don't have to be sad any day or night wondering when does it get better.”

“At least you have someone there with you to talk to or just sit in silence and be sad with,” he said. “You don't have to deal with being completely alone.”

Nickayla previously posted to Instagram stories following the rumours. She posted, “In the darkest time of my life, the only thing that is important is my friends and family. Showing up for my nephew, even though I can’t show up for myself.”

Actors Ryan Dorsey (L) and Naya Rivera (Getty Images)
Actors Ryan Dorsey (L) and Naya Rivera (Getty Images)

“Im not concerned with the way things look because no one can see each agonizing moment we all endure,” she said. “What matters most I’ve learned, is to show compassion, not to judge others, & never take a moment of life for granted. I hope you all can do the same.”

Rivera was reported missing on July 8 after swimming with her son in Lake Piru in California, after her son Josey was discovered in a boat by himself on the lake. After several days, her body was eventually discovered and her death ruled an accidental drowning by a medical examiner.

Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub speculated at the time Rivera had “mustered enough energy” to swim her son Josey back to the boat, but was unable to save herself.

Dorsey and Rivera were married in July 2014, but later finalised their divorce in 2018. They welcomed Josey a year into their marriage on September 17, 2015.