When senior year began, Santana rejoined the Cheerios but was kicked out of New Directions for lighting a purple piano on fire. While questioning Sue's motives, Santana re-pledged her allegiance to the glee club, but her return was short-lived. Dismayed by her lack of solos, Santana joined Mercedes in the newly formed competing glee club, the Troubletones, and she also persuaded Brittany to switch over.
When news got out that one of Sue's Congressional campaign opponents was going to out Santana in a smear ad, she was forced to tell her parents about her sexual orientation. They were supportive, but her grandmother vowed to never speak to her again.
With the help of Sue and Brittany, Santana was offered a full cheerleading scholarship to the University of Louisville. Santana and Brittany attended prom together but lost the election for king and queen to Finn and Rachel.
Santana revealed to her mother and Brittany that she did not want to go to college in Kentucky, but instead wanted to go to New York City to become a singer. Although her mother disapproved at first, in the end she gave her daughter a check to get her started in the Big Apple.
Naya Rivera landed her first series regular role at age four on the comedy "The Royal Family," starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese. Her other television credits include "CSI: Miami," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Family Matters," "Smart Guy," "Even Stevens," "8 Simple Rules" and "The Bernie Mac Show."
When not on set, Rivera donates her time and talent to raising money for cancer research and for HIV/AIDS education, awareness and prevention; and to helping young women and girls overcome self-esteem issues and reach their full potential.
Rivera makes her home in Los Angeles, where she enjoys working out, writing, composing music and spending time with friends.
