Photo: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Audiences were introduced toNaya Riverathrough her role as spitfire Santana Lopez on Fox’sGleein 2009, but these days she’s not only an actress and dancer — she’s also a clothing designer.
The mother of one, who founded the gender-neutral kids’ lifestyle brandJOJO&IZZY, tells PEOPLE her motivation for the latest business venture is entirely her sonJosey Hollis, who turns 3 on Sept. 17.
“First and foremost, everything I do is for Josey. He’s at the best age! He’s talking so much and [he’s] so cool, kind and sweet,” Rivera, 31, says of her child, whom she shares with ex-husbandRyan Dorsey.
“Josey inspires me in so many ways that it felt natural to want to create this for him and I,” adds theStep Up: High Waterstar. “Starting this company from the ground up is something I’m really, really proud of. I know that my son is proud of it too. It’s asweet bond that we sharetogether.”
Though the toddler is still growing up, his proud mom reveals he contributes to the company in his own adorable way.
“I’ll take things to Josey for his input, especially the capes. He really loves the capesand thought he was a superhero. He kept running around the house saying, ‘I’m a superhero!’ ” Rivera says.
Naya Rivera
“It’s really, really fun. It’s something that is new and something that is a different creative outlet that I don’t get to do outside of acting, singing or dancing. And I do get to do it with my son. It’s been a great experience,” she explains.
Along with being a working mom, she’s also moonlighting as a party planner.
“Josey’s having a DisneyCars-themed party. He’s obsessedwith Disney’sCars. He’s amassed quite the collection. He knows all their names and it’s really sweet,” Rivera enthuses.
source: people.com
