Tahj Mowry Says He "Never Stopped Loving" Naya Rivera in Moving Instagram Tribute

Tahj Mowry revealed that he's "never stopped loving" his first love, Naya Rivera, in a touching Instagram tribute post.

tajh mowry naya rivera
(Image credit: Getty Images)
  • Earlier this week, on July 8, Naya Rivera went missing in Lake Piru while on a boating trip with her son, Josey.
  • Officials say the Glee actress is presumed dead, but her body has yet to be found.
  • On Friday, Rivera's ex-boyfriend, Tahj Mowry, revealed that he never stopped loving her in an emotional Instagram tribute.

While the search for Naya Rivera continues, those closest to her are maintaining hope that she'll be found. On Friday, Tahj Mowry, who dated Rivera and described their relationship as one of many "firsts," shared an emotional tribute to the actress, who went missing in Lake Piru on July 8 while on a boating trip with her son, Josey.

In his touching post, Mowry declared his continued love for Rivera and shared his hope that she'll be found, writing:

"My sweet Naya - to say that I am devastated would be an understatement. This is a nightmare. Everyday gets harder. However, I am holding onto hope that you will be found. ⁣

We grew up together. We became adults together. We experienced so many firsts together. You were my first experience with everything; love, intimacy, heartbreak. We broke each others hearts and then mended them back together...more than once. I will never not think of you. No woman has ever measured up what you gave me or how you made me feel. I’ve never liked to admit it but I have never stopped loving you. A part of me always wished for the day where God would bring us back together to be what we dreamt we could have been. ⁣

I pray deeply for the Rivera family and that God blankets them with strength, peace, and love right now. Mychal and Nickayla - you will always be like younger siblings to me and I love you dearly. I watched you two grow up into beautiful adults. George and Yolanda - whatever you need I am here for you. We are forever family and I love you. ⁣

I ask everyone reading this to please lift up, along with the entire Rivera family, Ryan and Josey in prayer and to respect what they are going through during this time. I pray that God showers the entire family with strength and peace that only He can give. ⁣

I still have faith. I still have hope. Let’s please all pray that she is found and brought home safely. ⁣

Naya, I miss you deeply. I wish I got the chance to tell you that once more but I’m believing I will get that chance. I know deep down you’ve always known how I felt. I look forward to the day where I can see your beautiful face once more and tell you everything I’ve wanted to say that I didn’t get the chance to say. I love you forever. I always have and I always will. ⁣

♥️."

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new york, ny february 13 actress naya rivera poses backstage at the christian siriano fall 2016 fashion show during new york fashion week at artbeam on february 13, 2016 in new york city photo by paul morigigetty images

(Image credit: Paul Morigi)
Contributing Editor at Marie Claire

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.