Naya Rivera's Step Up: High Water castmates remember their late friend's 'spirit': 'She made things better when she was around'

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Naya Rivera's costars on her series Step Up: High Water have shared remembrances and tributes to her since her death was confirmed on Monday.

Some of her castmates, including Faizon Love, Lauryn Alisa McClain and Terrence Green, offered up their memories of the talented actress, singer and dancer to People.

Naya had a recurring role on the series throughout its first two seasons and it was announced that she would be continuing on to a future third season.

Remembering her: Naya Rivera's Step Up: High Water castmates remembered the actress and singer in recent days in conversations with People and on social media; pictured in November

Faizon, who was part of the main cast as Al Baker, said he was impressed with his costar's 'toughness.'

'I call her Slugger, because her love matched her toughness,' he said.

'She talked with her eyes. On tough days we would give each other a pound, as if to say, "Let’s keep it movin." On good days, she would hit me with the wink like she were saying, "I’m still fighting but today is a good day."'

Lauryn Alisa McClain only starred in the first season as Janelle Baker, but she had plenty of time to get close to Naya, whom she found inspiring.

Charmed: Lauryn Alisa McClain starred in the first season as Janelle Baker, but she had plenty of time to get close to Naya. 'When I looked at Naya, I saw her spirit. She had one of the most innocent, purest spirits that I have ever come across to this day'

Moving: 'She was so sweet. It’s very easy to judge someone. She was definitely a bright light for me when I was in a dark place. She made things better when she was around,' she said

Having a laugh: She shared a funny video of Naya making faces while on set

'Never judge a book by its cover,' she said. 'When I looked at Naya, I saw her spirit. She had one of the most innocent, purest spirits that I have ever come across to this day. She was so sweet. It’s very easy to judge someone. She was definitely a bright light for me when I was in a dark place. She made things better when she was around.'

On her Instagram page, Lauryn shared a fun video of herself from the Step Up set as she worried that the lighting was making her skin look too oily.

While she fussed with it, the Glee star was seated a desk for the next shot, but she made some playful faces as soon as she was on camera.

Naya first appeared on the show when it was part of YouTube Red, though it moved to Starz in May, minus the 'High Water' subtitle.

Heartbreaking: Terrence Green, who played Rigo Octavio in the main cast, shared a sweet selfie he took with the late actress as a tribute as he prayed for her to be found the day before her body was discovered

At the scene: Another photo in his Instagram stories showed the actor submerging his hand in the water of Lake Piru, where his costar's body was recovered on Monday

Terrence Green, who played Rigo Octavio in the main cast, shared a sweet selfie he took with the late actress as a tribute.

The photo may have been lighthearted, but he wished for her to be found in the comment, which he posted a day before her body was recovered. 

'7/12/20• My only bday wish is for @nayarivera to be found....thanks for all the love but let’s put that energy into prayin for @nayarivera....I wish I had more enthusiasm to express but I can’t even lie...I’m takin this s**t hard,' he wrote.

The actor shared a selfie he took with Naya while on set.

Another photo in his Instagram stories showed the actor submerging his hand in the water of Lake Piru, where his costar's body was recovered on Monday.

On Monday, he posted a moving clip from their series in which Naya sang a tender version of Amazing Grace at a funeral, as he stood by her side at a lectern. 

Inspiring: Marcus Emanuel Mitchell, who played Dondre Hall, shared clips of Naya singing Santa Baby, and another of her giving his character a tough-love speech; the Step Up: High Water main cast

Marcus Emanuel Mitchell, who played Dondre Hall, shared two clips of Naya in her element, one of her singing Santa Baby, and another featuring her giving his character an inspiring tough-love speech.

'Our sweet friend, we love you,' he captioned the post.

Naya was reported missing on July 8, after a boat she had rented in Lake Piru, near California's Santa Clarita, was found adrift with her four-year-old son Josey sleeping in it.

After speaking with the child, investigators came to believe that he and Naya might have gotten caught in one of the violent currents that were common at that time of day, though she was able to get her son aboard.

The Ventura County Sheriff suggested that she had 'mustered enough energy to save her son, but not enough to save herself.'

Divers scouring the lake discovered her body floating on Monday. 

Tragic: Naya was reported missing on July 8 after a boat she rented was found adrift with her son aboard. Authorities believe she may have gotten swept up in a current after getting her son on the boat