Tag Archives: Darren Criss

Rivera Returning to “Glee” Next Season

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It looks like Naya Rivera’s headed back to school…

Even though she graduated from William McKinley High School, the 25-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/actress will be returning to Fox’s Glee next season.

Naya Rivera

Following the hit musical dramedy’s last season, which saw several of the show’s seniors graduate, series co-creator Ryan Murphy extended an open invitation to all 15 regulars, including Rivera, to return for Season 4. And, it looks like virtually all accepted the offer and are set to return, although not everyone will be in every episode.

Along with Rivera, other returning Glee stars include Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Darren Criss, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Jayma Mays, Dianna Agron, Mark Salling, Harry Shum Jr. and Heather Morris.

Each actor’s workload will vary as the show works to accommodate the large cast and make room for new characters, including American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez. Glee has already booked Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker for multi-episode arcs.

In addition to storylines reasons, some cast members may have reduced presence on the show as they pursue other projects, including features, theater and music.

 

Rivera to Serve as a Mentor on “The Glee Project”

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Her character may have graduated in the season finale… But you haven’t seen the last of Glee’s Naya Rivera.

The 25-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/actress will be making a debut appearance as a mentor on the second season of The Glee Project.

Naya Rivera on The Glee Project - Season 2

The Oxygen reality competition series, which saw four of its freshman season contestants appear on the third season of Fox’s musical, will welcome Rivera in its fourth episode on June 26, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which will see the contestants exploring the theme of “Sexuality.”

Season 1 guest mentors included Jenna Ushkowitz, Darren Criss, Dot Marie Jones, Kevin McHale and Harry Shum Jr., among others. Four contestants — Samuel Larsen, Damian McGinty, Alex Newell and Lindsay Pearce — from The Glee Project‘s first season scored multi-episode arcs on Glee.

The Glee Project‘s second season will expand from 12 to 14 contestants and from 10 to 11 episodes and launch in its new night and time on Tuesday, June 5 at 10 p.m.

Rivera Shines on Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”

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She’s mastered Adele, Rihanna and West Side Story’s Anita… And now Glee’s oh-so-saucy star Naya Rivera is taking on the music of The King of Pop.

The 25-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer’s character Santana Lopez will be going toe-to-toe with Grant Gustin’s conniving character Sebastian on the Fox musical dramedy’s Michael Jackson-themed episode.

Rivera and Gustin will face off in a vocal duel to Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” as Santana tries to protect Blaine’s honor since Sebastian has been trying everything to break up Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss).

The stripped-down-but-still-high-energy number features Santana, Sebastian, two cellists and an empty room full of chairs.

Glee’s Michael Jackson-themed episode airs Tuesday, January 31 on Fox.

Michele to Serve as Glee Project Mentor

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Her character on Glee is graduating at the end of this season… And, Lea Michele is about to inspire the next generation of potential stars for the hit Fox musical dramedy.

The 25-year-old part-Spanish singer/actress has been slated to appear as a guest mentor on the Season 2 premiere of The Glee Project on Oxygen.

Michele, who has nabbed Emmy and Golden Globe nods for her role as Rachel Berry, will make her first appearance on the competition series whose winner will earn a seven-episode guest arc on the show.

“So excited to announce that I’ll be guest mentoring on the season 2 premiere of the Glee Project,” Michele tweeted over the weekend.

The show’s first season co-winner, Damian McGinty, has already outlasted his seven-episode arc on Glee and recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he was in talks to return to the Oxygen series as a mentor. Meanwhile, co-winner Samuel Larson recently started filming his stint on the Fox series. Runners-up Lindsay Pearce already appeared in a pair of episodes, and Alex Newell has yet to appear.

Season 1 guest mentors included Jenna Ushkowitz, Darren Criss, Dot Marie Jones, Kevin McHale and Harry Shum Jr., among others.

Season 2 of the series will return in the summer.