Christina Milian will be taking the place of the late Naya Rivera in Starz’s Step Up television series.
The Grammy-nominated singer and actress will be playing Collette Jones on the third season of the show, a role Rivera originated in its first two seasons.
“I am so excited to join the ‘Step Up’ family,” Milian said in a statement sent out by the cable network. “I know I have massive shoes to fill. Naya was incredible. I hope to honor Naya, her family, friends and fans with a great performance.”
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Collette is both the love and business partner for Sage Odom (played by Ne-Yo) and helps him manage Atlanta’s High Water Performing Art School as well as his tour.
“There is no replacing Naya… Christina has big shoes to fill and she knows it, which speaks to her poise and respect as a person and an artist. I’m more than certain of her ability to bring an energy and light to this character that Naya’s fans as well as the rest of the world will love,” Ne-Yo said of his new co-star.
The series’ Twitter account posted a photo of the two standing next to each other and smiling during filming.
Welcome Christina Milian. Step Up Season 3 is coming your way. #StepUpSTARZ pic.twitter.com/54cWzWobpx
— Step Up Series (@StepUpSeries) February 8, 2021
The series, which originally aired on YouTube, is produced by both Starz and Lionsgate Television, and was inspired by the hit Step Up film franchise which began in 2006. The film’s co-stars, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, will serve as executive producers for the show in addition to creator Holly Sorenson, Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot.
According to Starz, filming for the Step Up series began this month in Atlanta.
