Ryan Dorsey is addressing long-standing rumors about his relationship with Nickayla Rivera, the sister of his late ex-wife, actress Naya Rivera.
In an exclusive interview with media, Dorsey opened up about the circumstances that led Nickayla to move in with him and his son, Josey, following the Glee star’s tragic drowning in 2020.
Nickayla’s Role in Supporting Josey
Following Naya Rivera’s untimely passing, Nickayla, now 30, moved in with Dorsey and Josey in Los Angeles. At the time, Dorsey was trying to maintain stability for his son, who was just four years old.
“She was such a big help,” Dorsey shared. “I wanted to keep [Josey’s] life somewhat normal, and I knew I was going to be out of town working. I had to go to Vancouver for five months, and Josey came the last month to stay with me. But during the time I was gone, she held it down and kept that consistency.”
Nickayla’s presence provided much-needed emotional support for Josey, who had lost his mother at such a young age. Dorsey noted that her guidance helped maintain a sense of normalcy.
“She served as somewhat of a female figure and helped be the other voice of reason,” he said. “It was very surreal sometimes because the way she would say things to Josey would sound like his mom.”
Rumors of a Romantic Relationship Sparked by a Photo
Despite the genuine family bond they shared, rumors about a romantic relationship between Dorsey and Nickayla surfaced when the two were photographed together while shopping for Josey’s fifth birthday—just two months after Naya’s passing.
“The funny thing is, it did look like we were holding hands, but we grazed fingers on the escalator, and then it was this whole thing,” Dorsey recalled. “That was the only time I’ve ever addressed anything on social media because it was just so insane.”
Facing Hurtful Accusations
What shocked Dorsey even more were baseless accusations that he and Nickayla were somehow involved in Naya Rivera’s disappearance.
“People were tagging the FBI,” he revealed. “Just f—ing insane.”
Dorsey, who was married to Rivera from 2014 to 2018, made it clear that his only priority was ensuring a stable life for Josey. The speculation surrounding his bond with Nickayla was frustrating, as it overshadowed the real reason for their closeness—providing a secure environment for the young boy.
A Fresh Start in West Virginia
Two years after Rivera’s passing, Dorsey made the decision to leave Los Angeles and move back to his home state of West Virginia with Josey.
“When we were living in L.A. for the two years after Naya’s death, I was auditioning in my garage, rent was $6,000 a month, and it’s like, I’m getting nothing for Josey’s future,” he explained.
With COVID-19 changing the entertainment industry and auditions shifting online, Dorsey saw no reason to remain in L.A.
“It didn’t make sense to stay because COVID changed our industry to where all my auditions were on tape, and I can audition in a garage anywhere. West Virginia is just a completely different place. There’s not much to do, but it feels safe, and there’s no traffic.”
Maintaining a Close Relationship with the Rivera Family
Despite relocating, Dorsey continues to visit Los Angeles frequently for work and to spend time with Rivera’s family. He remains close to Naya’s parents and siblings, ensuring Josey maintains strong connections with both sides of his family.
“I love her family so much: her dad, her mom, her sister, her brother—we all get along so good, and we’re all still close,” he said. “We’re, obviously, even closer now.”
Recently, Dorsey and Josey surprised Naya’s mother, Yolanda, for her birthday, bringing flowers and a balloon to her home.
“I didn’t tell grandma that Josey was coming, so we showed up, and he rang the doorbell. She had the best surprise. She was so happy to see him. She said it was the best birthday ever.”
Moving Forward While Honoring Naya’s Memory
Dorsey, who is currently starring in the CBS hit Tracker, continues to balance his career and fatherhood while honoring Naya’s memory. He remains committed to ensuring that Josey grows up surrounded by love, stability, and family support.
While the rumors surrounding his relationship with Nickayla may have been hurtful, Dorsey has made it clear that his only focus has always been—and will always be—his son’s well-being.
The Information is Collected from People.com and HuffPost.
