Association members joy the cast unwrapped a special holiday gift for fans of the late Naya Rivera.
On Friday, the previously unreleased single they sing was released joy star, “Prayer for the Broken,” was released posthumously after her former co-stars were given permission to finish the song.
The song was released as part of the singer/actor’s annual fundraiser known as Snixxmas. Held annually since Rivera’s death at age 33 in July 2020, the event continues to honor one of her favorite charities, Alexandria House. This year, all proceeds from the single will go to an organization that supports homeless women and children.
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According to Alexandria House, the cast of the Golden Globe-winning series got permission from Rivera’s mother, Yolanda Previtira, and the original songwriters, Isaac Hasson and Lindy Robbins, to release the song. Ashley Fink, Vanessa Lengies, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Amber Riley and Jenna Ushkowitz contributed to the project and eventually lent their backing vocals to the final version of the song.
McHale, 35, shared a thoughtful video on Instagram showing the artists involved in the project. In the clip, the TV stars teased their annual charity event and song, and even revealed footage of their process in the studio.
In the caption, he added: “This year let’s celebrate the gifts Naya gave us, her talent and her heart. This song has meant a lot to me over the years, and now I hope it will to all of you.”
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The song itself, first composed and recorded in 2012, is a compelling anthem of empowerment. In her distinctive, soulful voice, actress Santana Lopez sings about uplifting anyone who is lonely or feels like an outcast.
“This is a prayer for the broken / For those who are afraid / This is a cry for this brave world / So beautiful and strange / Everything is so fleeting, so temporary / But we are not alone / So hug me like you’ll never let me go”, she sings in the chorus.
PEOPLE spoke with Fink, 37, about the project ahead of its premiere Love actually live in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
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She explained that the idea for Snixxmas originally came from a party of the same name that the late singer hosted, as a nod to her nickname “Snixx.” Fink said, “After she died, Kevin McHale and Jenna and her best friend, Telly, decided to keep it in her memory. Since she wasn’t here, we all wanted to make sure every year when we donated [Alexandria House]. They have to buy an entire housing complex for women in need, and it’s so amazing.”
Of the collaboration on “Prayer for the Broken,” Fink said, “When we all got together in the studio to record, all we talked about was Naya, our Snicks, and all those fun memories.”
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“The thing about joy is — I know everyone says that — but it was that kind of family,” the actress continued. “So few people have experienced what we have experienced together. It’s something that binds you forever, and we’ve been through so many tragedies, unfortunately. Tragedy, triumphs and love, there is so much love between us all. Whenever we get together, we talk about Cory [Monteith]we’re talking about Naya.”
She added: “It’s a wonderful way to honor her memory and share our favorite moments together every year.”
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Source: HIS Education