Naya Rivera is back for the final season of "Glee." Well, sort of.
TVLine reported Rivera's role as Santana Lopez will be downgraded from series regular to recurring guest star for the sixth and final season of the musical drama. The 27-year-old actress' reduced status was reportedly made by Rivera herself.
"Naya wants to have more time to explore her music and other endeavors," a source close to the actress told E! News.
There has been no mention of how many episodes will feature Rivera. FOX Network has not announced a premiere date for the final season.
Rivera, who recently broke up with fiancé rapper Big Sean, has faced several rumors regarding her appearance on the show. News outlets reported that Rivera was fired because of an on-set feud with co-star Lea Michele, but both parties have denied the allegations.
The actress was rumored to be written off the show in season five after she was spotted missing from the season finale. In May, "Glee" co-creator Ryan Murphy told Extra! that the actress will be returning to the show.
"I don't think there is a story between Naya and Lea," Murphy told Extra! "I always marvel at the things that become headline news that most of the time are completely fabricated. Naya's coming back next year, Lea's coming back next year. Anybody ever in that cast has an open invitation to come back and finish the character they so beautifully started."
Last month, Murphy told TVLine that the show will return to its roots for season six.
"We're working on the last season now, and it really feels like it's getting back to its roots, which I love," Murphy said. "It really feels like it's getting back to its roots, which I love. I'm sort of reinvigorated about it. It's getting back to what I was initially interested in with the show, which was arts in school. The last season is really about the importance of arts education in our high schools... I think people will like it."
Are you happy to see Santana back on the show?
