Vanessa Bryant Shares Exciting News About Daughter Natalia
Just a few months after the one-year-anniversary of Kobe Bryant's death, Vanessa Bryant said the late NBA star would "so proud" of their daughter Natalia now. Vanessa sweetly shared Natalia's reaction upon discovering her acceptance into the University of Southern California on Instagram in late March 2021.
Vanessa posted a video of her daughter jumping joyously, saying, "I got in! I got in! I got in!" and acknowledged in the post's caption how proud she is. But the doting mom also made special mention of her late husband: "I know daddy is so PROUD OF YOU. Your hard work and dedication was so worth it. You pushed through the most excruciating pain imaginable and you succeeded."
Kobe tragically died alongside his and Vanessa's 13-year-old daughter Gianna during a helicopter crash in January 2020. Just recently, the mom opened up to People about how resilient Natalia has been over the past year in finishing school, applying to colleges, whilst also "nurturing her sisters." Vanessa concluded the caption by writing, "I wish Daddy and Gigi were physically here to celebrate but I know they're here in spirit. We love you so much!"
But USC wasn't Natalia's only college acceptance. A few weeks earlier, Vanessa announced her eldest also got into Loyola Marymount University and the University of Oregon via her Instagram Stories, per People. While it's unconfirmed which university Natalia will attend, the 18-year-old may have worn her heart on her sleeve — as she sported a USC sweatshirt in her mom's clips.
Vanessa Bryant ordered custom Nikes adorned with the USC logo and colors for Natalia
Despite the plethora of college admissions Natalia Bryant has received, the University of Southern California seems to have a special place in her family's heart. Her mom Vanessa Bryant posted multiple videos to Instagram of her daughter's USC acceptance, one of which showed off a heap of the college's merchandise in the background.
In one post, Vanessa panned around Natalia's bedroom, revealing a huge bunch of balloons and an array of outfits all consisting of the USC colors. But clearly Natalia's most prized USC possession was a pair of custom Nike sneakers her mom bought her. In the video, a shocked Natalia held up the pair, to which her mom said, "I ordered those in September, it took them three months to make." Vanessa subtly explained the special shoes in the caption when she said, "Daddy and Gigi are ALWAYS here." Kobe famously had a 17-year partnership with Nike, per Insider. Vanessa also uploaded a pic of Natalia wearing her swish new kicks to the poignant caption of "every step of the way."
While Natalia hasn't confirmed if she'll go to the Los Angeles-based university, she is still awaiting one more letter. Vanessa recently shared on social media (per People) that New York University is "one of her top schools" — but she's hoping to sway her to stay. "I will do my best to keep her in Cali just like I kept her daddy here. #CaliGirlForever."