During a heartfelt ceremony, Natalia Bryant paid tribute to her late father, Kobe Bryant, commemorating his legacy at the TCL Chinese Theatre. The basketball icon, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
On March 15, Natalia, a 20-year-old student, attended the ceremony with her mother, Vanessa Bryant, and her younger sisters Bianka, six, and Capri, three. The family unveiled Kobe Bryant’s handprints and footprints, which were initially imprinted in cement over a decade ago, now permanently displayed in the theatre’s public forecourt. As part of the tribute, Bianka and Capri placed their hands and feet over their father’s prints, capturing a touching moment of continuity.
Joining the Bryants at the event were Lakers president Jeanie Buss and former NBA coach Byron Scott. Natalia delivered a moving speech, expressing her pride and love for her father. “I’m honored to be here today to recognize the man we all knew and loved, my dad Kobe Bryant,” she began. “While most people knew him as a basketball player or a storyteller, I got to know and love him as my dad. And let me tell you, he is the MVP of girl dads, to say the least.”
She reflected on Kobe’s dedication as a father, highlighting how he always supported her and her sisters despite his busy NBA schedule. “Being a dad of four girls is definitely not easy, but he always made sure to support me and my sisters, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri – at our recitals, games, tournaments, and any monumental moment you could think of,” Natalia shared. “Being his daughter is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I hope I continue to embody and cherish the many lessons he has taught me.”
Natalia also spoke about how her father’s love for movies inspired her to pursue a degree in film. “Watching movies with him – like Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Goonies, and anything from the Marvel cinematic universe – are memories I will never forget. He is the reason I’m pursuing film in college,” she said. “He inspired me to create memories like ours for other people, to bring more fathers and daughters together like us.”
The ceremony concluded with Natalia inviting visitors to place their hands in her father’s prints and stand in his shoes, honoring his lasting impact. “It’s truly astounding to be standing here in front of the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, forever displaying my dad’s hands and footprints,” she added.
Kobe and Gianna’s untimely death in the helicopter crash near Los Angeles left a lasting impact. Recently, Vanessa Bryant secured a $28.5 million settlement from Los Angeles County over the mishandling of crash site photos.
Natalia frequently shares memories of her father on social media, celebrating special occasions like Father’s Day or his birthday. In a 2021 interview with Teen Vogue, she expressed her joy in keeping her father’s memory alive, especially for her younger sisters. “I love talking about my dad. It’s bittersweet, but I enjoy talking about him more than it’s sad for me,” she revealed, describing him as “the best girl dad ever.”
Her dedication to preserving these memories is driven by a desire to support her family. “You do the best that you can. For my little sisters, we’re trying to keep that memory for them. And also just trying to remember to live out every day the way they would,” Natalia affirmed.
