Still in shock one year later. Michael B. Jordan, Magic Johnson and more stars shared touching tributes to the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna on the first anniversary of their deaths.
The former NBA pro, 41, and Gianna, then 13, were among nine people who died in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California, in January 2020. Vanessa Bryant, who married Kobe in 2001, also shared daughters Natalia, 18, Bianka, 4, and Capri, 19 months, with the late athlete. On what would have been his 42nd birthday, the California native, 38, reflected on the grief she’s felt since losing her loved ones.
“I wish I could wake up from this horrible nightmare. I wish I could surprise our girls and welcome you and Gigi home to us,” she wrote in August 2020. “I’m mad I didn’t go first. I always wanted to go first so that I selfishly didn’t have to feel this heartache. You were supposed to miss me. Gigi was supposed to be here with her sisters. It should’ve been me.”
When news of Kobe and Gianna’s deaths made headlines last year, tributes came flooding in. The crash occurred on the same day that the 62nd annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center, where the Olympic gold medalist once played with the Los Angeles Lakers. At the time, host Alicia Keys dedicated the show to Kobe’s memory as fans gathered around the arena to honor the basketball legend.
“To be honest with you, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now because earlier today, Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero. We’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built,” Keys shared hours after the heartbreaking news broke. “Right now, Kobe and his daughter Gianna and all of those who have been tragically lost today are in our hearts.”
Reflecting on the massive loss one year later, stars are still finding ways to honor Kobe’s legacy. Jordan, 33, shared a photo of the Philadelphia native and Gianna on Instagram and noted that he’s had a greater “appreciation of family” in the months since the tragedy.
“Sending love & healing energy to the Bryant family. Rest in Power. You’ll never be forgotten. #mamba #mambacita,” the Just Mercy star wrote.
Johnson, a fellow Laker, also honored the other passengers — John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester and [pilot] Ara Zobayan — whose families are feeling their absence even more on the anniversary of the crash.
“Kobe will always be my @Lakers brother for life,” he tweeted on Tuesday.
Scroll down to see how other stars paid tribute to the Bryant family.
The former model paid tribute to her late husband and daughter by sharing a heartbreaking letter she received from one of Gianna’s best friends, Aubrey Callaghan. "Thank you so much for beautifully sharing some of your memories of my Gigi with me and allowing me to share them here on my ig. My Gigi is INCREDIBLE and I truly appreciate your thoughtful letter. She loves you so much. I miss my baby girl and Kob-Kob so much, too," Vanessa captioned the moving Instagram post. "I will never understand why/how this tragedy could’ve happened to such beautiful, kind and amazing human beings. It still doesn’t seem real. Kob, we did it right. Gigi, you still make mommy proud. I love you! #PlayGigisWay #Mambacita #Mamba #DaddysGirl #GirlDad."
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"Don't think I could recap a year any clearer from the moment I heard the news until today. Appreciation of family. Of time. & purpose is heavy on my mind this morning," the Black Panther actor wrote via Instagram on Tuesday alongside a photo of Kobe and Gianna. "Sending love & healing energy to the Bryant family. Rest in Power. You'll never be forgotten. #mamba #mambacita."
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"This morning I prayed for Vanessa Bryant and the Bryant girls. 🙏🏾 On this day, one year later, we want to remember not only Kobe Bryant but Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester and Ara Zobayan," the former Los Angeles Lakers player wrote via Facebook on Tuesday, sharing his favorite memories with Kobe over the years. "Thank you God for allowing me to enjoy Kobe Bryant for 20 years as a great basketball player, athlete, husband, father, philanthropist, mentor and teacher of the game to many men and women of all ages, best friend to Rob Pelinka, and brother to Jeanie Buss. He will always be my Lakers brother for life. Laker Nation we will always remember the brilliance, the legend, and the mamba mentality of #8/#24 💜💛."
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On Monday, January 25, the Brooklyn Nets player donned Kobe's former Lakers jersey as he entered New York City's Barclay's Center before facing off against the Miami Heat.
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The Mid90s director posted a snap of the late athlete on Instagram with purple and yellow heart emojis. Last year, he spoke candidly about the impact the former Lakers player made on him and his late brother, Jordan Feldstein. "My brother and I grew up worshiping the Lakers and because of my job we got to sit next to Kobe and the whole team! I have lived a privileged life. Truly. We were literally buzzing with excitement to meet our hero," he recalled at the time. "I'm sitting between Kobe and my brother and now they’re both gone. I have been staring at this photo for days in disbelief and sadness and joy. ... All my love to the ones here left behind. Take care of each other and love each other. That’s the lesson I’ve learned."
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The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon host posted a clip from an old interview with the basketball pro, tweeting, "Can't believe it’s been a year since we lost #KobeBryant. Celebrating his life today, and feeling grateful to have known him."
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"The last year showed us life can be unpredictable & fragile," the former tennis champ tweeted on Tuesday. "It's been 1 year since the deaths of Kobe Bryant, Gianna & those on board with them. Kobe was a champion of basketball, but also of women’s sports. He was the ultimate #GirlDad. Thinking of his loved ones today."
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"I can’t believe it’s been one year since we experienced the tragic loss of my brother, my friend, Kobe Bryant. It still doesn't feel real," the retired MLB athlete wrote via Instagram on Tuesday alongside a montage of some of Kobe's greatest moments. "Kobe was so much more than just a basketball player and he was destined for even more greatness. His journey was truly just beginning and it still hurts so much thinking about how much good he had left to do. I miss our conversations. I miss texting about family, business, sports and music. I miss him."
The former Yankee also honored Gianna and the other passengers who tragically lost their lives in the crash. "Today, and really every day, remember that our time is short. Hug your loved ones. Call a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Work hard and remember to smile," he added. "RIP, Kobe. Love you, Mamba."
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The Chicago native, who previously played with Kobe on the U.S. National Team, made a subtle gesture to remember the late NBA star by changing his profile pic on Instagram to one of Kobe and Gianna.
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The former ESPN reporter uploaded a video of her final interview with Kobe during which they discussed Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protests. "I believe he would have been a powerful voice in 2020. Hard not to think about Kobe's death in relationship to the many things that unraveled after," the "Jemele Hill Is Unbothered" podcast host tweeted.
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"RIP TO THE 🐐 #KobeBryant," the pregnant Rich Kids of Beverly Hills alum tweeted on Tuesday.
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