Deals and Steals on upgrades for the home!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Culture

Kobe Bryant's eldest daughter opens up for 1st time since tragic accident in Teen Vogue

VIDEO: Kobe Bryant's daughter opens up for 1st time since her father’s death
2:49
Kobe Bryant's daughter opens up for 1st time since her father’s death
ABCNews.com
ByKelly McCarthy and Jessica Mendoza
September 08, 2021, 9:13 am

Natalia Bryant is officially a cover girl and in her magazine debut she opens up for the first time about how she is keeping her father's memory alive after the tragic helicopter crash that killed Kobe and Gigi Bryant.

From her prom dress reveal to news about signing with IMG models, Natalia Bryant is officially stepping out on her own as a cover model for Teen Vogue.

"She's 18, she's on the precipice of everything," Danyel Smith, a Teen Vogue contributor told "Good Morning America" of the recent high school graduate who's heading into her freshman year at University of Southern California. "She's ready to step out and become who she is."

PHOTO: Kobe Bryant's eldest daughter, Natalia, is on the cover of Teen Vogue, October 2021.
Kobe Bryant's eldest daughter, Natalia, is on the cover of Teen Vogue, October 2021.
Raven Varona/Teen Vogue

"I love talking about my dad. It's bittersweet, but I enjoy talking about him more than it's sad for me," Bryant exclusively told Teen Vogue.

The Lakers legend, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Jan. 26, 2020. The other victims of the crash included college baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; girls' basketball coach Christina Mauser; Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton; and the pilot Ara Zobayan.

The eldest daughter of Vanessa Bryant and the late NBA great also shared how their family has coped with the loss.

PHOTO: Kobe Bryant's eldest daughter, Natalia, appears on the cover of Teen Vogue, October 2021.
Kobe Bryant's eldest daughter, Natalia, appears on the cover of Teen Vogue, October 2021.
Raven Varona/Teen Vogue

"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," she said.

Smith added that Natalia Bryant is "going through a tough time, but you can just tell that she has a lot of support around her ... that she's healing ... I think it does her heart good to speak about her father."

Editor’s Picks

Vanessa Bryant remembers Kobe and Gigi on 1-year anniversary of their deaths

  • Jan 26, 2021

Kobe Bryant's daughter, 3, steals the show dancing with her sister

  • Jan 25, 2021

Intricate custom casket designed to honor Kobe, Gianna Bryant

  • Feb 24, 2020

The teen is no stranger to the spotlight and credited her parents for providing her with an identity all her own, separate from her father's.

"Growing up, my parents made it as normal as possible. Thank God they did," she told the magazine. "It's not, 'Oh she's Natalia Bryant, she's Kobe Bryant's daughter.' A lot of times they saw me as she's just Nani."

Related Topics
  • Kobe Bryant

Editor’s Picks

Vanessa Bryant remembers Kobe and Gigi on 1-year anniversary of their deaths

  • Jan 26, 2021

Kobe Bryant's daughter, 3, steals the show dancing with her sister

  • Jan 25, 2021

Intricate custom casket designed to honor Kobe, Gianna Bryant

  • Feb 24, 2020
Up Next in Culture—

Taylor Swift attends Jets vs. Chiefs game

October 2, 2023

Toby Keith gives update on stomach cancer battle: 'It's a little bit of a roller coaster'

September 29, 2023

Rob Gronkowski, Camille Kostek compete in live ice bath challenge to raise $20K for charity

September 29, 2023

Hear Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood's reimagined version of 'Cry Myself to Sleep'

September 29, 2023

Up Next in Culture—

Taylor Swift attends Jets vs. Chiefs game

October 2, 2023

Toby Keith gives update on stomach cancer battle: 'It's a little bit of a roller coaster'

September 29, 2023

Rob Gronkowski, Camille Kostek compete in live ice bath challenge to raise $20K for charity

September 29, 2023

Hear Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood's reimagined version of 'Cry Myself to Sleep'

September 29, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News