Natalia Bryant is opening up about her famous dad, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, and how she plans to carry on his legacy following his tragic death in 2020.
Natalia Walks Her First Runway to Honor Her Dad
The 20-year-old made her modeling debut walking the runway at the Versace fashion show during Milan Fashion Week. In an interview with E! News, Natalia shared that the experience made her dad proud and she wanted to honor him.
“I’m sure my dad would be very proud. I love you, daddy, I did it for you!”
She also admitted she was terrified leading up to the show.
Natalia told Page Six Style: “I definitely was terrified. I was pretty nervous.”
But she powered through thanks to the “Mamba mentality” mindset her dad instilled in her.
Carrying on Kobe’s Competitive Drive and Work Ethic
In an interview with Town & Country magazine, Natalia also discussed how she plans to carry on her dad’s legacy when it comes to his famous competitive spirit and tireless work ethic:
“Being able to carry on my dad’s legacy motivates me every day,” she said, adding that she also wants to inspire others the way her dad did. “I want to continue to spread that Mamba Mentality.”
Natalia said her dad’s intense drive has been passed down to her – she refuses to be outworked and wants to inspire others. She plans to carry this mindset into her modeling career and beyond.
Honoring Kobe and Gigi’s Legacy Through Charity Work
In addition to modeling, Natalia is also focused on charity work to honor her dad and younger sister Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, who also died in the helicopter crash.
She serves on the board of directors for the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which offers sports education opportunities for underserved athletes.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Natalia shared how this charity allows her to carry on her dad and sister’s passion for uplifting others through sports:
“For me, they play a huge part just because they were so passionate about sharing the love that they had for the game,” she said of Kobe and Gianna’s impact on the foundation.
“I think spreading this Mamba mentality is extremely important to me and my family,” she added.
Finding Motivation in Murals and Public Tributes
In the years since the accident, murals and other tributes to Kobe and Gianna have popped up all around Los Angeles.
In an interview with Hola! magazine, Natalia opened up about how she feels when she encounters these public memorials to her loved ones:
“It feels comforting in a way to be surrounded [by] my sister and dad. It feels like I have a piece of them with me when I see them,” she shared.
Though the murals can also remind her of the traumatic loss, Natalia focuses on feeling inspired by her dad’s enduring legacy when she sees them.
Gratitude for Continued Support From Fans
As she takes her first steps into the spotlight, Natalia also expressed gratitude for the continuous love and encouragement she receives from her dad’s wide fanbase.
In an interview with People magazine about her experience at Milan Fashion Week, she passed along a message to Kobe fans:
“I’m so grateful and thankful for all of the continued support,” she said.
Natalia recognizes that her dad made a tremendous impact during his life, and fans are now cheering her on as she works to carry on the Mamba legacy in her own way.
What’s Next for Natalia?
According to entertainment news reports, Natalia is currently focused on building her modeling career in the fashion world.
She has already scored deals with some major brands like IMG Models and BCBG Max Azria:
| Natalia’s Modeling Career So Far |
|---|
Secured modeling contract with IMG Models | January 2023 |
Walked runway for Versace Fashion Show in Milan | January 2024
Appeared in BCBG Max Azria campaign | Spring 2024
Natalia also plans to continue her charity work giving back to youth sports programs, furthering the community impact her dad stood for.
As she explained to JustJared earlier this month:
“I have always wanted to make a name for myself and inspire young women to be strong, independent, and work hard in pursuit of their dreams,” she said.
With her famous Mamba mentality drive, there’s no limit to what the future could hold for Natalia Bryant as she continues the legacy of her beloved father.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
