Naya Rivera CANNOT Leave 'Glee'

Okay, we're going to go all Lima Heights on you, Ryan Murphy. Cryptic tweets and pointed omissions are leading fans to believe that Naya Rivera might be leaving Glee . And if it's true, that just won't be okay. According to E!, sources close to the show have confirmed that Naya Rivera's character, Santana Lopez, will be missing for at least two episodes of the Glee's current season. The ONLY good thing that could come out of Rivera leaving would be that that Santana spin-off might actually be happening sooner rather than later.

Fans have been concerned about Santana's future for awhile now, but this is the first that we've heard about her appearances being limited this season. E!'s sources told the site that the plan is to have Rivera return before the end of the series' fifth season this May. But currently, like the rest of her fellow cast members, Rivera's contract has not yet been renewed for the show's sixth and final season. Producers allegedly have until June 30 to make contract decisions — but none of this sounds promising.

Early in February, Rivera posted a cryptic tweet that set fans off in a frenzy about her departing the show. There are a few things Rivera's tweet could mean — and one of them could very well be that she's just about done with the FOX musical dramedy. Here's the tweet:

Additionally, Lea Michele, who's been busy promoting her new solo album Louder and Glee 's upcoming 100th episode, has allegedly omitted Rivera's name when discussing upcoming New York City storylines. Instead she's mentioned everyone BUT Rivera — including Chord Overstreet, Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, and Kevin McHale. What the hell is that about, Rachel Berry? What are you gonna do — kill her so she can't take your Funny Girl role?

I'm just going to say it — because someone has to — Glee will be the worst without Naya Rivera and Santana Lopez. So here's why she needs to stay:

Santana & Rachel Need To Solve Glee's Female Friendship Problem

It's no secret that Glee has a history of showing terrible female friendships. Rachel and Santana were doing so great together in NYC before Ryan Murphy turned them into bitter rivals. (Which was uncool, by the way — even if Santana's "Don't Rain On My Parade" was epic.) If there's anything the show needs her for — it's to have her repair her relationship with Rachel and have them be the female BFFs that the show and its audience deserves. Rachel and Santana would be the ultimate female power friendship and that needs to happen.

The Show Needs Her One-Liners

No one does a one-liner like Santana does. Who's going to make fun of everyone without going completely over the line on a consistent basis? Over five seasons, Rivera's Santana has perfected the art of the perfect insult — if Glee loses her, it's not like anyone can fill those shoes. (Don't even suggest Kitty.)

And Her Unwavering Honesty

Santana will call ANYONE out on their bullshit and she's a pretty good judge of character — remember when she knew that something was up with Rachel's former-boyfriend Brody? She's got intuition because of, according to her, her "magical Mexican third-eye," but she's got the confidence to say what she thinks out loud. And that rocks.

She's Got An Epic Voice

Do I even need to list her best performances? Her performance of "Don't Rain On My Parade" during the show's midseason premiere two weeks ago was epic — just like when she sang "Landslide" with Gwyneth Paltrow and soloed on "Valerie". Glee is a singing show after all — how could they let one of their best voices slip away? They shouldn't.

Because We All Love Her, Duh

I mean, we do. And not because we're afraid she'd go all Lima Heights on us if we didn't. She's hilarious and she "keeps it real" — so really, what's not to love?

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